Rabbit- Cloudy Eye

[OohFeeshy]

A few weeks ago we noticed one of Hattie's eyes was cloudy. Anyway, took her to the vets, who wasn't really sure what it was and put her on an anti-parasite med (oral administration, oh the fun), although there's no change at the moment. So I wondered whether you had any ideas as to what it could be. She's an albino New Zealand White, and the eye is an all-over milky white colour. It doesn't seem that she can see out of it, although it doesn't look like it's causing her any pain or difficulties.

 

[Morquinn]

Possibly a catarac, but I wouldnt understand why a vet wouldnt point that out if it was that.. but thats my only guess cuz it sounds pretty obvious.. im not an expert though and Ive never had any of my rabbits get cataracs. (When I had rabbits, which I dont anymore.)

 

[OohFeeshy]

Yeah, I did think of cataracts, but I'm not sure they'd completely cover the eye in such a short space of time (a few days at most, she's not very tame so it's hard to get a good look without annoying her).

 

[Synirr]

Some kind of bacterial infection, maybe?

 

[WILDER]

Is she in a drafy area, I kept mine in the shed.

 

[WILDER]

Found this.
Easy Checks for a Healthy Rabbit
Eyes
Your rabbit's eyes should be bright and colourful. There shouldn't be any discharge or dullness. If you notice any discharge it could be that your rabbit has scratched its eye or if it is cloudy it could be related to its teeth. Either way it will be necessary to take your rabbit along to the vet for a check up.

 

[WILDER]

Where did you get the rabbit and how old is it.
Some rabbit get cloudy eye as they were used for test.

 

[OohFeeshy]

Is she in a drafy area, I kept mine in the shed.

No, she's in a very sheltered part of the garden and the hutch is well insulated both inside and out.

Where did you get the rabbit and how old is it.
Some rabbit get cloudy eye as they were used for test.

RSPCA rescue centre, therefore no idea on age, apparently she was found as a stray. She's probably not *that* old, it's hard to judge by size though as, being a meat breed, they grow to adult size pretty quick.

 

[WILDER]

Bless her hope she gets well soon.

 

[OohFeeshy]

Thanks, not sure it is anything cureable but luckilly, she doesn't seem too affected by it. She was bumping into things a bit to start with, a few days later now she's fine with it. I'll see if I can get a photo and another look tomorrow.

 

[WILDER]

I had new zealand whites as a child and they were lovely rabbits and very affectionate.
Lack of calcium can be a cause of cloudy eye too.

 

[t.ropical_m.istx3]

by the way you were saying she was bumping into things, i'd say she probably went blind from something. unless what caused the blindness is something terrible - which the vet probably would have noticed - it shouldnt harm her anymore.

i use to show rabbits

 

[Lynz781]

When I kept rabbits, I had a Netherland dwarf who's eye went cloudy due to an abscess behind it. My rabbits were always having problems with their teeth not grinding together properly so I reckon it was probably from that.
Unfortunately she died from it. I can't remember (was years ago) if she was just put down or died during the operation to remove her eye.

Has Hattie suffered from teeth problems?