*GRAPHIC PIC!* Old eye injury, advice?

[trcarlton]

I'm starting my meat production herd. I have an Am Chin buck, and I also have a Sable x Am Chin doe that suffered an eye injury in the nestbox, she was about 10 days old. She's now 11 weeks old, seems completely fine, but I am concerned that her eye will cause issues in the future. The eye isn't completely removed, it's like the top layer was torn/crushed, leaving a kind of nub in her eye socket. It's still moist, no swelling/infection, but I'm worried it will become infected because it's still open and moist. My gut reaction is to want to flush it with an antibiotic and seal that sucker up so that it won't become a problem for her (or me!) down the line. What do you think? Ever have a situation like this, and how did you solve it? Thanks!

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

I've never had that happen, but I think if it did happen to one of my rabbits, I'd put terramycin in it and leave it alone.

 

[trcarlton]

I've had her for a couple weeks now, the breeder had been rinsing/wiping with water to keep it cleaned, but I haven't touched it, partly to see if any extra care was even necessary. At the time I was still debating if I was going to keep her or process her. I've since decided to keep her as a brood doe for my meat line, but wasn't sure what to do about the eye. I've noticed no real change from the first day I had her, except maybe a little gunk around the edge of the eye once in a while, but she has kept herself well groomed, and there hasn't been any swelling or anything *shrug* dunno, it would certainly be a little more aesthetically pleasing if the eye were shut, but as it is it doesn't seem to bother her except for the obvious lack of depth perception. She doesn't seem to be in any discomfort.

 

[alsea1]

If I was going to keep her I would consider taking her to vet and getting it closed up.

 

[trcarlton]

I'm going to call the Vet today to find out how much they would charge. I'd like to close it, ideally, but it might have to wait depending on cost.

 

[alsea1]

Yea. I totally understand that.
I use the vet sparingly. I would love to be able to have the vet out more than I do. But it just is not practical.

Although I took a bunny in for an eye injury once and the vet applied an eye cream. Then she asked me what the rabbits purpose was. I said it was not a pet, but a production rabbit. End line was to be the stew pot. She got this funny look and apologized. Seems the cream she had just applied rendered the rabbit not fit for human consumption. By reason of common sense I figured I could not even feed it to my dogs. So then I had to find this rabbit a pet only home. Not easy. I wound up all but paying someone to take him.
So my lesson was always inform the vet about what the animals purpose is. That may dictate what meds get prescribed.

 

[trcarlton]

Our Vet, as good as they are with our dog, actually charges MORE to see a rabbit than our 50# dog Good to know about full disclosure during vet care; I didn't think about medication rendering a meat animal useless for that purpose.

 

[mjgh06]

If her eye has discharge, I would treat as an infection and use either VetRX or a triple antibiotic ointment. Both are safe for meat rabbit use. You can get both over the counter - no vet charge. VetRX is sold at TSC and you can get the ointment anywhere - I prefer cheap dollar store brand - same ingredients less cost. Dose 2-3xd for 7-10 days. Should clear up an infection, then if you want and cost is reasonable have it sewn shut.

As a note - eye infections in rabbits if not treated can progress into the brain cavities leading to infection there then death.

 

[trcarlton]

I need to pick up some VetRX to keep on hand anyway. I certainly don't want her experiencing any unnecessary discomfort just because it's too expensive to have closed up.

 

[trcarlton]

This is ridiculous. I've called a few vets in the area, all consider rabbits to be "exotic", so an exam ALONE is $50 (more than an exam for our 50# dog!), not to mention any eye meds and the procedure to have the eye sealed. Good grief. For now I will just watch to make sure she doesn't seem bothered by it and that it doesn't start getting infected :/