Closed Eyes (Baby Rabbits)

Cause:
Bacterial Infection

Symptoms:
Closed eyes, crusted and inflamed eyelids

Treatment:
Wash the eye out with warm water, and maybe a touch of a mild soap (johnson & johnson baby wash), soften the crust and remove, apply an antibiotic eye ointment/drops


All domestic rabbits are born with their eyes closed. They normally remain closed about 10 days. After 10 days they should open naturally within a day or two. If they remain closed longer than this, and the eyelids are crusted and inflamed, treatment must be given immediately. Otherwise the baby rabbi's eyesight will become permanently impaired (blind).

To treat the crusted eyes wash and soak them in warm water with a mild soap (johnson & johnson baby wash). When the lids are softened, apply a little pressure to separate them. Clean and drain any push which is present in the eye. Treat daily with an antibiotic eye ointment or drops.

More than likely the source of the infection comes from the nest box. Nest boxes should be cleaned and disinfected, then left to dry in the sun. This should a practice after every litter.
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