Case- From time to time, rabbits are presented for corneal ulceration secondary to trauma from hay stems or corneal abrasions due to environmental irritation from dusts and chemicals. Many owners report their rabbits have an acute onset of eye problem. First signs to be noticed, for example, ocular discharge, eyelid swelling, squinting of eye and photophobia etc. If the problem is left untreated, unilateral hair matting, crusts in periocular areas and facial pyoderma may happen. They may show signs of pain such as grooming of the affected eye with fore limb, hiding and reluctance to move. In the consultation, I will first of all check for the presence of foreign body under upper, lower and third eyelid of the patient. If the eyelids are sealed with ocular discharge, they are gently removed with saline soaked cotton ball. An ophthalmoscope is used to visualize the cornea, iris, pupil and lens of the eyeball. Fluorescein stain is used to stain for corneal ulceration which may not be obvious enough to see without staining. If the test is positive, a fluorescent patch will be evident under UV light. Corneal ulceration in rabbits tends to take longer to heal compared to dogs and cats. They are like horses easily getting melting corneal ulcer. Giving it a month or so to improve is expected. Some may take up to few months to get better. Eye drops containing antibiotic, serum and oral medications are prescribed. The role of antibiotic is to control secondary bacterial infection of the exposed corneal stroma. Serum eye drop has anti-collagenase effect to prevent melting ulcer. Eye drops have to be administered every hour which is about 10-12 times daily. They are usually rechecked every 5-7 days to keep track of the condition. Owners are advised to keep the patient face clean and dry at home. If the patient is showing excessive eye rubbing, a buster collar is indicated to prevent further corneal trauma. As corneal ulceration in rabbits can get worse in a short period, it is not recommended adopt a wait and see approach or self medicating eye drop from pharmacy without consulting your rabbit veterinarians. If left untreated, your rabbit eye may get to a stage that the globe is infected which may eventually need enucleation to keep it pain-free and possible infection tracking back to the brain. |
