Are Eye Discharge in Rabbits Normal? Explained

One: How to Help Rabbits Clean Their Eye Discharge

Rabbits, especially meat rabbits, are known for their cleanliness and selfgrooming abilities. Generally, they maintain a clean appearance. However, longhaired rabbits with droopy ears can be a different story. You might often notice a bit of brownish eye discharge, resembling grains of rice, stuck to the fur around their eyes. This is a normal occurrence, reflecting the rabbit's struggle to keep itself clean. So, it's time for you, the owner, to step in and assist!

As a pet owner, it's crucial to pay attention to your rabbit's eye care. Regularly cleaning the eye discharge is essential, but be gentle; rabbits have delicate skin around their eyes that can easily be damaged and lead to infections. If eye discharge is left untreated for an extended period, it can accumulate and create a breeding ground for bacteria. Initially, you might just notice a bit of redness in the corners of the eyes. If left unchecked, it could escalate to chronic conjunctivitis, causing the rabbit to tear excessively. The constant irritation can lead to infections, making the situation much more challenging to manage. This is especially true for young and elderly rabbits, whose immune systems are weaker and more susceptible to infections. Pay special attention to these rabbits, as they require more care.

Two: How to Care for a Rabbit's Eyes

When your rabbit has eye discharge, you can create a makeshift swab with a paper towel and gently wipe away the discharge.

If the eye discharge has dried and is stuck to the fur around the eyes, avoid pulling or scratching. Instead, dampen a paper towel with a little physiological saline solution (but not too wet or gooey) and gently wipe the discharge away. Be sure to dry the area with a clean paper towel afterward to absorb any moisture left behind.

Large eye discharges are usually easy to spot, but always check for smaller ones and ensure they are all cleaned away.

If you have a longhaired rabbit, regularly inspect the fur around its eyes to ensure it's not too long and causing irritation. If necessary, trim the fur carefully, distinguishing between the rabbit's fur and its eyelashes to avoid cutting them accidentally.

Remember, don't slack off! Aim to perform eye care at least every three days, and for young or elderly rabbits, daily checks are recommended.

Three: Do You Need to Use Eye Drops for Care?

Unless your rabbit has been diagnosed with an eye condition, it's generally not advisable to use eye drops for routine eye care. Instead, a gentle application of physiological saline can be sufficient. Note: Once opened, physiological saline should not be used after a few days, so pet owners should be mindful of this.

That concludes our guide on how to handle rabbit eye discharge and provide proper eye care. How often do you usually take care of your rabbit's eyes? We hope this information has been helpful!