Uveitis — inflammation of the inner eye — is a common eye disease in pet rabbits. The most frequent cause is Encephalitozoon cuniculi infection of the lens, which produces a characteristic cloudy white mass inside the eye (Felchle & Sigler, 2002, Vet Ophthalmology). Other causes include bacterial infection, trauma, and dental disease extending into the orbit. Per AEMV Pet Care Guides, 2024, prompt evaluation prevents permanent vision loss.
Last reviewed: May 2026
What Uveitis Looks Like
The uvea is the inner pigmented part of the eye — iris in front, ciliary body and choroid behind. Inflammation produces several visible changes: redness around the white of the eye, cloudy or hazy cornea, a dull or color-changed iris, an irregular or constricted pupil, white material visible in the front chamber (hypopyon) or back of the eye, squinting, tearing, and photophobia (light sensitivity). The rabbit may rub the affected eye on bedding or paw at it. Severe cases develop glaucoma (increased pressure), corneal ulceration, or rupture of the lens.
E. Cuniculi Phacoclastic Uveitis
The classic feline-presenting cause is Encephalitozoon cuniculi infection. The parasite enters the lens during development and lives there silently until immune recognition triggers a rupture of the lens capsule, releasing parasite-laden lens material into the eye. This phacoclastic uveitis causes a distinctive cottage-cheese-like white mass within the front chamber, often visible without specialized equipment. It usually affects one eye but can be bilateral. The 2002 case series (Felchle & Sigler, 2002, Vet Ophthalmology) established surgical lens removal as the most effective treatment when available.
Other Causes
Bacterial uveitis — usually Pasteurella multocida ascending from chronic upper respiratory disease or dental abscess into the eye — is the second major category. Trauma from a cage-mate fight, foreign body (hay strand), or sharp surface. Dental root infection (especially of upper molars) can break through into the orbit and cause severe uveitis with facial swelling. Systemic disease (lymphoma, viral infections) is occasionally the underlying cause.
How Vets Work It Up
A thorough ophthalmic exam includes fluorescein stain (to detect corneal ulcers), measurement of intraocular pressure (tonometry to detect glaucoma), and full inspection of the front and back of the eye with a slit lamp or focal light. Bloodwork includes a CBC and E. cuniculi serology. Skull radiographs or CT may be needed to evaluate dental roots and sinuses. A rabbit-experienced veterinary ophthalmologist consultation is often warranted for severe or non-responsive cases.
Treatment
Treatment depends on cause. For E. cuniculi: oral fenbendazole for 28 days, plus topical anti-inflammatory eye drops (steroidal or non-steroidal as chosen by the vet) and topical antibiotic if corneal ulceration is present. Surgical lens removal (phacoemulsification) at a veterinary ophthalmologist is the most definitive treatment when phacoclastic uveitis is severe. For bacterial uveitis: oral antibiotics chosen by culture, topical antibiotics and anti-inflammatories. For dental disease: addressing the underlying tooth root problem, often with extraction. Pain control with meloxicam is essential — uveitis is painful and untreated pain in rabbits triggers GI stasis.
When to See a Vet
Call your vet today if:
- A red, cloudy, or squinting eye in a rabbit
- White, yellow, or pink material visible inside the eye
- Tearing or discharge from one or both eyes
- Pawing at or rubbing the eye on bedding
- Recent runny nose, sneezing, or dental issues
Go to the ER immediately if:
- Sudden vision loss
- Bulging or markedly enlarged eye (possible glaucoma)
- Trauma to the eye with bleeding
- Eye signs plus head tilt, circling, or weakness
- A rabbit who has stopped eating for more than 12 hours
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does diagnosis and treatment cost?
Exotic vet exam plus basic ophthalmic workup runs $150 to $400. E. cuniculi serology adds $80 to $150. Veterinary ophthalmologist consultation is $200 to $500. Medical treatment (oral fenbendazole, eye drops, pain control) for 4 to 6 weeks is $80 to $250. Phacoemulsification lens surgery at a specialty center is $2,000 to $5,000 per eye. Enucleation (eye removal) for severe untreatable disease is $500 to $1,500.
Can my rabbit recover vision?
Vision recovery depends on cause and time to treatment. Early-treated bacterial uveitis often retains good vision. E. cuniculi-related phacoclastic uveitis treated medically often loses functional vision in the affected eye but the rabbit remains comfortable. Surgical lens removal can restore meaningful vision in selected cases. Late-presenting glaucoma or severe trauma may require enucleation.
Is E. cuniculi contagious to other rabbits?
Yes — E. cuniculi spreads between rabbits primarily through urine. A high percentage of pet rabbits (estimates range from 30 to 60 percent in some surveys) carry the parasite, often without symptoms. Treating all in-contact rabbits is reasonable when one rabbit is symptomatic. The parasite has occasionally been reported in immunocompromised humans, so basic hygiene around a positive rabbit is sensible.
Will my rabbit need long-term eye drops?
Many uveitis cases require eye drops 2 to 4 times daily for 2 to 8 weeks, with gradual tapering. Chronic E. cuniculi cases sometimes need long-term low-frequency eye drops to control inflammation. Comfortable handling for drop administration is important — your vet can teach the technique.
Can my rabbit live a normal life with one good eye?
Yes. Rabbits adapt very well to monocular vision. After healing, most one-eyed rabbits live full, comfortable lives. Cage adjustments to avoid sudden drop-offs near the blind side, and gentle approach from the visual side, ease the adjustment.
Still Not Sure if Your Rabbit Needs a Vet?
When you're not sure if this is wait-and-see or call-tonight, Voyage AI Vet triages in under 2 minutes. Describe what you're seeing in chat, share photos of the affected eye with good lighting, the pupil shape, and any discharge or color change in the iris, or hop on a live video call if you want a second pair of eyes. Every answer comes with citations to the actual veterinary literature it's pulling from — so you see exactly where the guidance comes from, not just a chatbot's word.