Have you ever observed that your rabbits’ eyes are turning red? If yes, then you are not alone who have encountered this phenomenon as it also made me concerned and puzzled about their health. This color is normal if it exists since birth, but it is quite alarming when temporarily changes in the adulthood stage.
Rabbits have red eyes due to albinism or genetic disorders, injuries, trauma, infections, dental problems, health problems, allergies, etc. Albinism causes permanent changes in eye color, while other reasons can also lead to sudden redness. It is essential to diagnose and treat the issue immediately when it is not a genetic disorder. Keeping them in a clean, safe, and protective environment can help avoid the redness of the eyes.
The distinctive appearance of eye color in rabbits reflects their evolutionary and survival adaptation. That is not only unique, but fascinating for people also. In this article, you will get an idea of the possible reasons for red color eyes in rabbits and measures that should be taken when you see your pet with a different eye color. Also, let’s explore some measures that can help avoid redness and keep your pet safe from the risk of severe infections.
What does it mean if a rabbit has red eyes?
It is not normal to see a rabbit with red eyes because it is an indicator of some internal problem. These problems can be related to the pressure at the ocular socket, genetic disorders, allergic reactions, or severe infections.
1. Albinism
One of the most important and rare causes of red eyes in rabbits is albinism. This albinism results in permanent change in color. This color is only relatable to albinism if they have white furs, too.
Albino rabbits do not have melanin pigment, which is responsible for colored eyes and bodies. Their eyes have a reddish tinge because the blood vessels are clearly visible in the colorless lens.
This disorder occurs due to mutation in the genetic makeup, particularly the melanin gene. However, there are fewer chances of this mutation to occur in rabbits.
You can consider that your rabbit has red eyes due to albinism if it is born with this color and other body parts are also colorless or whitish.
2. Overgrown teeth
Dental issues, like abscesses or overgrown teeth, sometimes lead to eye-related problems in rabbits. These dental abnormalities pose some pressure on the ocular socket, which causes discomfort.
The swelling in eyelids, thick discharge in the surrounding areas, and crusting or matted fur can also be observed beside their red eyes if their teeth are overgrown.
Other symptoms of dental diseases include reluctance to eat, lethargy, foul smells, etc. These symptoms can help you know about the excessive growth of teeth, which ultimately leads to swelling or redness.
Monitor your bunny if you observe any of such symptoms in your pet and take it to a nearby vet. A thorough checkup by a vet expert in rabbits’ dentistry is essential to diagnose and treat these dental issues.
3. Glaucoma
Glaucoma causes redness of the eyes in rabbits, as it poses increased pressure called intraocular pressure. Aqueous humor is present in the eyes that accumulates in case of glaucoma.
This fluid maintains the shape of the eyes and provides nutrients to tissues around them. A disruption occurs in its drainage when the bunnies suffer from glaucoma.
The accumulation of fluid puts pressure, compresses blood vessels, and dilates them. This way, the red hue becomes more visible and raises concerns in the pet owners.
Some other symptoms related to glaucoma are cloudiness, bulging eyes, excessive blinking, squinting, change in size and shape of pupil, and changes in behavior, like loss of appetite or lethargy.
Consequently, this severe condition may lead to some irreversible damage, so consult a professional for treatment if you suspect that your pet is experiencing glaucoma.
4. Allergies
They are vulnerable to allergic reactions after direct contact with bedding material, pollen, dust particles, etc. These allergies manifest watery eyes, itching, redness, sneezing or nasal discharge.
The allergens include aromatic cleaning products, fleas, mites, smoke, strong odors, and certain food ingredients that also cause allergic reactions.
In addition to this, food allergies can occur from consumption of food products like vegetables, hay, or commercial rabbit pellets.
Furthermore, contact allergies develop by direct contact with grooming products, which irritate the skin in the surroundings of the eyes, leading to inflammation or redness.
However, it is not a serious issue that can be easily prevented by avoiding the contact of your pet with such allergens in their environment, in order to alleviate allergies.
5. Conjunctivitis and infections
Conjunctivitis causes swelling, redness, and the continuous discharge of fluid. It occurs due to infection and is also known as pink eye disease.
Moreover, it is characterized by inflammation of the conjunctiva, which is a thin membrane present in the eyes. Conjunctivitis leads to corneal ulcers and swelling of eyelids in severe cases.
In such conditions, rabbits blink frequently and rub their eyes more often due to itching. It is caused by various factors, like bacterial, fungal or viral infections and some health conditions (dacryocystitis).
External or internal stress, crowded places, and poor hygiene can be the possible reasons for the spreading of conjunctivitis in rabbits.
However, it can be treated by antibiotic, antiviral, and anti-parasitic medication after diagnosis, but preventive measures, like maintaining good hygiene, gentle cleaning, and supportive care reduce its risk.
6. Trauma
Trauma, like scratches in the lens, causes excessive irritation and itching when any tiny object gets inside the eyes. It is essential to inspect your pet with care for any injury or a small object.
A severe injury can cause bleeding inside or surrounding areas, but early diagnosis or medical intervention is key to avoiding potential complications that would otherwise lead to vision loss.
They blink more than usual or show other pain symptoms if there is an injury, like hair loss at the boundaries of the eyes, excessive tear release, inflammation in eyelids, and depression.
In addition, lethargy, teeth grinding, lack of vision, facial deformity, nasal discharge, cold, or respiratory infections are also associated with redness.
If you observe any symptom of hyperemia in your pet, then you should pay immediate attention to it, as proper treatment can help save lives. A vet can suggest appropriate antibiotics for the pet and tells you about the anti-inflammatory medication, or ointments, according to its condition.
Can red-eyed rabbits see?
Red-eyed rabbits can see their surrounding environment just like the other bunnies with normal eye color, but there is a minor difference in their vision acuity.
The red color is either due to albinism or any other reason like infection, injury, dental, or health problems. In all these cases, they can see and observe their environment, but with different efficiency.
This difference is negligible if they have red eyes due to albinism because they lack melanin pigment, but their vision gets a little bit more affected if there is an injury or infection.
In some cases, direct exposure to sunlight for a prolonged time in albino rabbits causes trouble as they cannot see clearly in direct sunlight and begin to blink frequently.
Other conditions are not alarming at the initial stages of diseases or injuries, but lack of proper medication and care in cases of injury, infection, or dental and health problems can lead to vision loss in rabbits.
It is essential to observe your pet for any discomfort, excessive blinking, squinting and redness, as it can help you get rid of the vision problems at an early stage.
What to do if my rabbit has red eyes?
Red eyes are normal if your rabbit is born with such color, but they require attention and a visit to the vet if it occurs all of a sudden. It is essential to know the underlying cause of potential health issues for such sudden change.
Observe rabbits for symptoms in addition to redness that will help the vet find out the primary issue. In addition to this, note down the intensity and duration of redness to inform the vet about it.
Evaluate the living conditions or environment of your bunny for proper identification of potential factors and allergens. Clean the bedding material and provide the dust or smoke free enclosure to them.
Inspect their eyes without disturbing them and see if there is any injury or foreign object. Try to remove the object gently if found, or seek assistance from a nearby vet to take it out.
Follow the instructions of the vet carefully to fix the issue if there is a bacterial infection. Use recommended antibacterial and antiviral ointments by a vet and go for regular checkups until the severity of the infection is reduced or they fully recover from the illness.
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