By Dial A Vet Veterinary Team
A rabbit with a runny or swollen eye can look like it simply has a minor irritation. In rabbits, though, the eye is often a window to a problem somewhere else: overgrown tooth roots pressing on the tear duct, a hidden infection, or in Australia, myxomatosis. Rabbits are prey animals and hide pain well, so by the time an eye problem is obvious it may have been brewing for a while. A prompt vet visit, ideally with a rabbit-experienced vet, makes a real difference.
Key takeaways
- Weepy eyes in rabbits are often linked to dental disease, because the tooth roots sit close to the tear duct.
- Swollen eyelids, especially with lumps on the face or genitals, can be myxomatosis, which is an emergency.
- Ulcers from hay, scratches or poor blinking are common and need prompt treatment.
- A rabbit that stops eating can develop gut stasis within hours, so loss of appetite is always urgent.
- In Australia, vaccination against rabbit calicivirus is available. There is no myxomatosis vaccine here, so insect control matters.
Signs to watch for
- Watery or milky discharge, and wet or matted fur below the eye
- Crusting or fur loss on the cheek from constant wetness
- Swollen, red or puffy eyelids
- Squinting or holding one eye shut
- A cloudy, white or blue patch on the eye
- An eye that bulges forward
- Pawing at the face
- Drooling, dropping food or eating less, which point to teeth
- Head tilt, which can occur with some infections
Common causes
Dental disease and blocked tear ducts
Rabbit teeth grow continuously. If the cheek teeth wear unevenly, their roots can lengthen and press on the nasolacrimal duct, which drains tears to the nose. The duct becomes narrowed or infected (dacryocystitis), producing thick white discharge at the inner corner of the eye. Diets low in hay are a big risk factor. Lop-eared and dwarf breeds are prone to dental problems.
Conjunctivitis
Inflammation of the pink tissue around the eye can be caused by bacteria, dust from poor quality hay or bedding, ammonia from dirty litter, or underlying dental disease.
Corneal ulcers
Hay stalks, scratches from cage mates or rough surfaces can scratch the cornea. Rabbits with nerve problems or very prominent eyes may not blink well, so the eye dries out.
Myxomatosis
Myxomatosis is a viral disease spread by mosquitoes and fleas, and it is widespread in Australia. Early signs include puffy, swollen eyelids, discharge, and swellings on the face, ears and genitals. It is often fatal. Read more in our article on myxomatosis in rabbits.
Abscesses behind the eye
A tooth root abscess or other infection behind the eye can push it forward. This needs urgent care.
Encephalitozoon cuniculi and uveitis
This parasite can infect the lens in young rabbits, causing a white mass in the eye and inflammation. It may also cause head tilt or kidney problems.
When it is an emergency
Go to a vet the same day if your rabbit has:
- Swollen eyelids or swellings on the face or genitals, which may mean myxomatosis
- A bulging eye
- A cloudy or white patch on the eye, or a squinting eye
- Not eaten or passed droppings for more than a few hours
- Become quiet, hunched or is grinding its teeth
- A head tilt or loss of balance
How vets diagnose and treat eye problems
A vet will examine the eye, stain it to look for ulcers, and check the teeth, including the back teeth, which needs an otoscope or sedation. Skull X-rays or CT scans are often used to see tooth roots. Tear ducts can be flushed with sterile fluid to clear blockages.
Treatment depends on the cause. It may include dental work under anaesthetic, flushing the tear duct, medicated eye drops, treatment for E. cuniculi, or surgery for abscesses. Pain relief and keeping the gut moving are central to rabbit care. Your vet will choose medicines that are safe for rabbits, as some medicines used in other pets are dangerous to them.
Caring for your rabbit at home
- Gently clean discharge with a soft pad moistened with sterile saline. Keep the fur under the eye dry to prevent skin scalding.
- Keep the hutch clean and dry, with dust-free bedding.
- Make sure your rabbit is eating. Offer fresh hay and leafy greens and tell your vet straight away if appetite drops.
- Give any eye medication exactly as prescribed.
Prevention
- Feed mostly good-quality grassy hay, available at all times, with fresh greens and limited pellets. This keeps the teeth wearing properly.
- Book regular dental checks with a rabbit-savvy vet.
- Vaccinate against rabbit calicivirus (RHDV) as your vet recommends.
- Protect against myxomatosis by using insect-proof screens, keeping rabbits indoors at dawn and dusk, and controlling fleas with products your vet has confirmed are safe for rabbits.
- Keep the living area clean to reduce ammonia and dust.
FAQ
Why does my rabbit's eye keep weeping white goo?
This is often a blocked or infected tear duct, which is frequently linked to dental disease. A vet can flush the duct and check the teeth.
Can I use dog or cat eye drops on my rabbit?
No. Some medicines can harm rabbits. Only use products your vet prescribes for your rabbit.
Is there a vaccine for myxomatosis in Australia?
No. The myxomatosis vaccine used overseas is not available in Australia, so mosquito and flea protection is important.
Can rabbits recover from eye ulcers?
Many do well with prompt treatment. Deep or infected ulcers need closer care.
Talk with a vet
If your rabbit has a weepy or sore eye and you are unsure how urgent it is, a Dial A Vet veterinarian can help you decide what to do next. Chat with Dial A Vet. Swollen eyelids, a bulging eye or a rabbit that has stopped eating needs an in-person vet today.
References
- Varga M. Textbook of Rabbit Medicine, 2nd edition (Butterworth-Heinemann)
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Disorders and diseases of rabbits
- RSPCA Australia Knowledgebase: Rabbit vaccinations against calicivirus and myxomatosis
- Agriculture Victoria: Myxomatosis and rabbit haemorrhagic disease in pet rabbits
Disclaimer: Educational only. This page does not replace an examination or advice from your own veterinarian. If you are worried about your pet right now, contact your local vet or nearest emergency animal hospital.
