A chalazion is also known as a Meibomian cyst. These can occur on the inside of a rabbit’s eyelids. They’re not a serious problem if caught early and usually disappear on their own over time.

A chalazion on the lower eyelid ©Claire Speight

These are small cysts that form when the meibomian glands become blocked or impacted. The meibomian glands are oil-secreting glands, located in the eyelid. The secretion that they produce helps to lubricate the eyes, which is important.

The cysts themselves are usually slow-growing and may not be very obvious. They are usually found on either the upper or lower eyelid and may only be visible if you gently pull open the eyelids, so you can see the inside of them.

No, and in fact the presence of just one or even two is likely to be incidental. They are not normally of significance, as long as there are no other clinical signs, such as swelling or inflammation of the eyelid, discharge from the eye, excessive blinking (blepharospasm) or pain.

Your veterinarian is unlikely to prescribe any treatment, other than for you to monitor your rabbit at home. It should disappear by itself over time.

If the chalazion isn’t causing any other problems, treatment probably won’t be needed. However, if it’s causing your rabbit discomfort, irritation, there is inflammation or signs of infection around the chalazion, or they are numerous in number, then treatment is likely to be required.

You can help to reduce the swelling of the eyelid by applying a warm (not hot) compress, gently to the eye, several times a day. This may be uncomfortable for your rabbit, especially to start with, so make sure you are gentle and patient, and if your rabbit gets upset, stop and try again later.

If a bacterial infection is present, the administration of antibiotics will be necessary. Pain relief may also be required.

Your veterinarian will usually lance (pierce) the cyst with a sterile needle or they may need to make a small incision (cut) under local or general anesthetic to help drain the material from the cyst. The material in a cyst can be very thick and difficult to fully remove, so the procedure may need to be repeated more than once.

Performing a health check on your rabbit each week is a good idea. This will help detect problems earlier on, often making them easier to treat. Get into the habit of checking your rabbits’ eyes and carefully looking on the inside of the eyelids. Your veterinarian can show you how to do this if you are not confident doing it.

Keep your rabbit away from dusty hay and bedding, which is likely to irritate the eyes. This can not only help to prevent eye problems from developing, but it is also better for their respiratory health.