How to treat conjunctivitis in rabbits at home
Keeping rabbits requires from a person knowledge not only about the care and feeding of animals, but also about what diseases they suffer and how to deal with them correctly. The most common problem is conjunctivitis in rabbits.
Treatment of conjunctivitis in rabbits
Diseases of the eyes are often troubling to rabbits and baffle the owners of the farm. The fact is that most often they are caused by the ingress of food residues and debris into the organ, from which it is very difficult to completely get rid of in the cell. It is for this reason that conjunctivitis appears in pets.
Features of the disease
Rabbit conjunctivitis is an eye disease in which the mucous membrane of the organ becomes inflamed.
Most often, the causes of the onset of the disease are mechanical particles that have fallen on the surface of the conjunctiva, as well as injuries. The appearance of signs of such a disease occurs due to a violation of the integrity of the protective film (conjunctiva) that covers the eyeball. It is she who serves as a protective barrier against external stimuli. But its thickness is no more than 0.3 mm, so it is not so difficult to damage it.
Damage to the surface of the conjunctiva and the places where it connects to the cornea of the eye leads to irritation of the entire organ.
The animal's body quickly reacts to the threat that has arisen and causes redness, increased tearing, etc. We must not forget that, without finding out the exact cause of the appearance of this disease, it is dangerous to treat a pet, because very often the breeder himself is guilty of damaging the conjunctiva in rabbits. Garbage in the cage, as well as the spread of a certain infection, is a sign of poor animal care.
Causes
In addition to mechanical damage from debris, food particles and litter, there are other causes of the disease. Most often, conjunctivitis appears due to:
- lack of vitamin A in the diet;
- an allergic reaction to any irritants;
- the development of other infectious diseases.
The most common, however, is mechanical contact with an irritant. The fact is that these animals have an unusual eyelid structure. They do not cover the conjunctiva tightly enough, which is why a gap is formed. It is in it that particles of straw, grass, mud and even feed most often fall. The smallest particle that has penetrated into such a gap is capable of inflicting a large number of microtraumas on the eye.
The development of the disease itself is facilitated by inflammation resulting from injuries. The response to the stimulus is increased tear production. The body, wanting to get rid of the mechanical particle, tries to wash it out. But this does not work out so quickly, because this very particle is held back by the eyelid of the animal, therefore, it is very difficult to overcome the disease without the help of a person.
Symptoms
Conjunctivitis in a rabbit has certain symptoms that distinguish this disease from other equally dangerous ailments of the organs of vision. Most often, an animal manifests itself:
- redness of the eye;
- swelling;
- discharge of mucus or pus;
- profuse tearing;
- baldness of the century;
- allergic reaction.
Rabbit conjunctivitis symptoms
The very first symptom of a disease that a farmer may notice is redness of the eye. Rabbits constantly scratch their eyes with their paws, as they feel discomfort. Puffiness becomes noticeable very quickly. The purulent form is manifested due to profuse lacrimation and mucus secretion. As a result of such pathological processes, the inflamed eye can be closed in the animal (the eyelids stick together).
Conjunctivitis also affects the overall well-being of the rabbit. The pet becomes less active, may refuse to eat and spends a lot of time in sleep.
Only a qualified specialist can make an accurate diagnosis. Using special equipment, the veterinarian determines the degree of damage to the iris, the presence of pathological vesicles and their color. Additional research is often done: reaction to light. If the lacrimal sac is inflamed, the animal develops photophobia. The mucous membrane becomes irritable from a common infection, and the volume of the tear produced is not enough to restore the normal state of the organ.
Treatment of an acute disease
The appearance of conjunctivitis in a rabbit requires urgent therapeutic measures, because the sooner the disease is detected, the sooner it will be possible to get rid of it. If the farmer has a suspicion that one of the individuals kept at home has undergone such a disease, you should contact your veterinarian. Before his arrival, it is necessary to rinse the crawl eyelids with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. It is not recommended to use other antiseptic drugs without the permission of a specialist.
Treatment of acute conjunctivitis in a rabbit is easier and faster. Most often, veterinarians recommend that farmers use:
- 3% albucid solution;
- a weak solution of potassium permanganate;
- furacilin solution;
- hydrogen peroxide.
Treatment of the disease
Such drugs avoid the spread of infection by providing an antiseptic effect. But in order to completely relieve inflammation of such medicines, it is not enough, therefore, experts recommend treating the disease in an acute form with special ointments and drops. Most often, boric or iodoform ointment is used for these purposes.
It is necessary to strictly adhere to the doctor's prescriptions, monitor the dosage and frequency of the procedures. If everything was done correctly, after 3-4 days the rabbit will noticeably improve its well-being. If the mucous part of the organ remains inflamed, you should contact the veterinarian again, because the further course of conjunctivitis can lead to its overflow into another form.
Purulent conjunctivitis treatment
The spread of infection in an acute form can worsen the well-being of the rabbit. Very quickly, the disease flows into a purulent form. Purulent conjunctivitis requires more careful and long-term treatment. In addition, the treatment itself at home should be carried out under the remote control of a veterinarian. Inaction can result in complete loss of vision for sick rabbits, therefore it is necessary to conduct a veterinary examination in a timely manner and follow the instructions of a specialist based on its results.
Purulent inflammation most often manifests itself in the form of the following symptoms:
- severe swelling of the conjunctiva;
- dried crust of pus on the eyelids;
- wet hair around the eye;
- erosion on the cheeks.
It is necessary to conduct a timely examination of the veterinarian
Treatment of rabbits in this form of the disease is carried out in the same way as in acute conjunctivitis. Veterinarians most often prescribe rinsing with antiseptic solutions, as well as instillation of drops.But such conjunctivitis requires the systematic use of ointments, which should be applied not only to irritated eyelids, but also to damaged skin around the organs of vision. Most often, tetracycline and hydrocortisone ointment is used for these purposes. In addition, they should be used for application under the eyelid of the animal.
Treatment of such a disease requires careful fulfillment of all the requirements of the veterinarian. In rabbits, within a few days, improvements in the condition of the organs of vision will be noticeable. After the therapeutic course, a repeated examination by a specialist is required. Complete healing of the conjunctiva, its normal state, indicates the recovery of the pet.
Summarizing
We must not forget that every breeder must understand the diseases of his pets, be able to distinguish them and effectively counteract them. To avoid undesirable consequences, experienced farmers advise innovators to carefully monitor their livestock, ensuring the most effective care. It is especially important to keep the cells clean. It is litter from litter and food particles that most often threaten the health of rabbits.
Some rabbits have an abnormal eyelid. For example, eyelashes sometimes grow inward, and not like other animals. It is impossible to eliminate this effect on your own, but this must be done, because such a feature of the rabbit places it in a risk group. There is another group of livestock that is more susceptible to conjunctivitis than others. This includes pregnant rabbits. During the period of gestation, their immunity needs constant replenishment of vitamins and minerals. Quality conditions of detention are also important. If all this is not there, the risk of contracting conjunctivitis increases significantly.