ANSWERS: 4
  • Usually a blind rabbits eyes will be white and cloudy. They will move much more slowly and use there nose for guidence.
  • Dialated pupils could also be a sign of blindness. Here are some vision tests that a veterinarian would conduct. You could perform a couple of them yourself: The eyes are the perfect window into your furry friend's state of health. The beginning of the ophthalmic exam involves basic observation of your pet's ability to navigate around the examination room. The lights often are turned down to ensure that the patient can see in darker light as well. Vision is also roughly evaluated by doing something called the \\\"menace\\\" test: the veterinarian will make a menacing movement with his or her hand in front of the eye being evaluated without hitting any facial hair or whiskers. If the eye is healthy, then the animal should blink or move away from the movement. Another common test is to drop or toss a cotton ball in front of the eye to see if the pet responds by watching it fall. In addition, the veterinarian most likely will run a test called a pupillary light reflex, or PLR, to evaluate the retina, cranial nerves, the muscles controlling the iris and part of the brain involved in visualization. This test requires the use of a very bright focal light, which will be shined into one eye at a time to make sure that the iris closes down and the pupil constricts normally. The eye that does not have the light shined into it is also evaluated to be sure that pupil constricts as well. If the veterinarian feels it is necessary, he or she may also conduct a Schirmer tear test. With this diagnostic procedure, small paper test strip is placed in each lower eyelid and left in place for 60 seconds, and then removed. The veterinarian is then able to measure the amount of tear production in that eye. Veterinarians run these tests because tears are responsible for helping to keep the eye healthy, moist and free from infection. A deficiency in tear production often means the eye has keratoconjunctivitis sicca or dry eye. If left untreated, this condition can lead to blindness. Source-http://www.pets.ca/articles/article-dog-cat-eyes.htm
  • I think my rabbit is blind also. It has small, white things in the corners of each eye towards the nose, and doesnt respond to me waving my hand in front of its face etc. I have tried waving my fingers very fast infront of its eye without touching its whiskers, but it doesn't even flinch. When I open the cage door silently it doesnt ever try get out. What should I do? It is a dwarf lop eared bunny and its about 24 weeks old. Please help me!
  • Unless there is something in the eye like a cloudiness or white spot, it's difficult to tell if a rabbit is blind or just doesn't see very well. Rabbits' eyes don't dilate as strong or noticeable as other animals. You could place it on the ground and let it wander but then many rabbits are timid and won't venture bravely anyway. If you suspect your rabbit is blind, they go to the vet, a rabbit vet. If there is cloudiness in the eyes or a wound, then something might be able to be done. Reasons for blindness might be glaucoma, detached retina, corneal injury (resulting in corneal scarring), and cataracts. You won't know what to do until you know if he is and what is the cause. But if he is, that's okay, too as it's possible for rabbits to be a happy pet in a home environment and be blind.

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