Symblepharon – Rabbit

Symblepharon can follow chronic blepharo-conjunctivitis and may have to be addressed aggressively using surgery in an attempt to prevent the formation of adhesions. I have seen one case of symblepharon in a rabbit with severe pasteurellar infection. This was treated with long-term procaine penicillin SC q72hrs and topical antibiotics as indicated by microbiological investigation. Initially scarring was relieved by incision into the tarsal plate, parallel to the skin surface. Subsequent adhesions were excised under topical analgesia (Proxymetacaine Minims®; Alcon) and NSAID’s (Acular®: Allergan) and topical corticosteroids and cyclosporin were used as indicated on frequent (monthly) examinations. The rabbit and the owner were both very compliant with this prolonged course of treatment, but the case was lost to follow-up after I retired.