Ears in rabbits play a big role in life. In addition to the fact that they allow animals to hear and are indicators of temperature, many diseases are diagnosed by their condition. Ear diseases in rabbits are very difficult to distinguish, because the symptoms usually differ little. But if you know the specifics of the course of this or that sore, you can detect the disease in time and treat the affected animal.
Diseases and parasites
There are no specific signs of ear diseases in rabbits. But we can single out some symptoms that indicate the development of the disease:
- the rabbit shakes its head;
- his nose became hot and dry;
- the animal has lost its appetite;
- the animal constantly pulls and combs its ears, rubs them against the walls of the cage;
- drooping ears (does not belong to pointed-eared breeds);
- a depressed state may be observed or, on the contrary, increased aggressiveness.
These signs indicate the presence of a pathological process in the rabbit, which requires immediate diagnosis and treatment.
Most often, eared animals suffer from non-compliance with the temperature regime, tick infestation, otitis or myxomatosis.
“Ear scabies” (psoroptosis)
Caused by ticks Psoroptes cuniculi.
The animal shakes its head, scratches the affected side with its paw, the surface of the ear is reddened, combed, sometimes a crust of dead cells is visible, exudate flows out, pus may come out.
Psoroptosis is a contagious disease, so the animal is isolated during the treatment period.
Myxomatosis
The causative agent is a DNA virus of the Poxviridae family. Transmitted by fleas, lice, mosquitoes, ticks.
The disease occurs in 2 forms: acute (edema) and chronic (nodular).
Symptoms of an acute course: high body temperature, swelling of the eyes, discharge from the nose and eyes, ears fall, mucous membranes turn blue, the animal is thin, blind. It is impossible to cure, the mortality rate is 100%.
Signs of a chronic course: the formation of numerous bumps all over the body (even on the surface of the ears). Treatable in half of cases. A very dangerous disease for rabbits.
Purulent otitis (ear inflammation with discharge of pus)
Illnesses can be triggered by injuries, contact with dirt or infection, and accumulation of sulfur.
The animal often shakes its head, tilts it to the affected side, there is discharge from the ear (with purulent form – pus), impaired coordination (with damage to the inner part of the auricle).
Symptoms that indicate the disease
There are a number of signs that can indicate the presence of a disease that affects the ears of animals.
Blood in the ears of a rabbit
Among the common causes of ear bleeding are injuries, cuts, and skin irritation. Animals can scratch their ears due to sulfur plugs, tick damage, dirt. Sometimes the itching is so strong that the animal can constantly scratch the auricle. Given that rabbit ears have a complex vascular network, the slightest scratch can cause severe bleeding.
Ear drop
Breeders without experience do not always pay attention to a rabbit with hanging ears. And this sign should be alarming, because most often the animal drops them at the beginning of a serious illness. Falling of the ear is observed with:
- infestation of helminths, mites;
- otitis with complications;
- myxomatosis;
- physical injury of the ear cavity;
- getting a foreign object into the auricle.
If the fallen ear signals a pathology, the animal should be shown to the veterinarian and the treatment of the main ailment should be started. You can only apply a splint yourself if there is an obvious fracture.
The exception is pointed-eared rabbits or animals with short ears, for which such a feature is a distinctive feature of the breed. Sometimes this phenomenon is observed among young individuals in heat or with increased playfulness. When the ambient temperature drops (or after playing), the ears straighten again.
Accumulation of earwax
The release of sulfur is a normal physiological process. Among the recommendations for the care of rabbits is ear cleaning. Neglecting this procedure can cause illness. Sulfur will simply block the auditory canal, and bacteria, dirt, and parasites that cause infection will begin to collect there.
Lumps on the ears
Lumps or blisters on the ears indicate a dangerous disease – myxomatosis. Sometimes the size of the cones is compared to the size of a quail egg. Animals go bald in places where growth appears. When the diagnosis is confirmed, quarantine is imposed, the animal is isolated, and appropriate treatment is prescribed.
Sores in the ears
Ear injuries cause mechanical damage. When head shaking, constant combing is added to this symptom, ticks or inflammation of the inner ear are possible.
Red spots
Red spots on the ears indicate the presence of ringworms or herald the development of myxomatosis (the main symptoms begin to appear only after 10-20 days).
Pimples
Causes of ear pimples:
- myxomatosis;
- allergy.
Ears hurt and head shakes
When a rabbit’s ears hurt, it starts to shake its face violently, shake it in different directions, and tries to scratch its earlobes with its front paws. The cause may be the ingress of dirt or a foreign object, ear scabies, otitis or myxomatosis.
Plaques on the ears
Ear scab (crusts, plaques) is a sign of scabies mites. The darker the color of the plaques, the more advanced the disease. The appearance of plaques all over the body is a serious complication that requires consultation with a veterinarian and medical treatment.
Pus in the ears
A purulent process in a rabbit’s ear can be provoked by:
- infection of scratches;
- complicated otitis;
- myxomatosis;
- ear scabies
Diseases caused by temperature
Rabbits, who are gentle by nature, are very sensitive to fluctuations in the temperature of the external environment. Animals may even die due to sudden changes or being kept in heat or cold.
Why does a rabbit have hot ears (a symptom of “hot ears”)
It is worth noting that rabbits do not sweat. Therefore, all heat exchange is carried out with the help of ears. You can judge whether an animal is hot or cold by their temperature.
Ears can become hot in hot weather. If there are no changes in other signs (unchanged appetite, good physical activity, normal reaction to stimuli, normal defecation), then such a symptom is considered a variant of the norm.
If along with the symptom of “hot ears” the appetite decreases, the pet becomes passive, secretions from the nose, mouth, and ears begin, then the animal is most likely sick. Absence of reaction to irritation indicates pain shock, no reaction to light – collapse or coma.
Why does the rabbit have cold ears (ear frostbite)
Tender ears of rabbits are a kind of temperature indicator. But if the ears become cold, do not immediately panic. This symptom is not very important if the animal feels good in everything else. Ears become cold due to poor blood supply. There are several reasons for this:
- vessels narrow in the cold;
- reduced pressure;
- fright, stress
Placing animals outside in the frosty season often leads to frostbite of the ears. Therefore, when the temperature drops below 15 oC, animals are recommended to insulate the rabbit hutch.
Ear frostbite has specific symptoms:
- the ear is very cold to the touch, swollen;
- the animal feels severe pain when touching the ears (1st stage of frostbite), noticeable bald spots on the frostbitten area;
- blisters and ulcers appear on the skin of the ears (2nd stage of frostbite);
- visible necrotic lesions of the auricles (3rd stage of frostbite).
Methods of treatment and prevention of diseases
Algorithm of actions when detecting the first symptoms of ear damage in rabbits
The animal is isolated to the quarantine zone.
- Before the arrival of the veterinarian, the affected ear is cleaned and treated with antiseptic.
- Cleaning rabbit ears is very simple. All you need for this is a cotton swab dipped in hydrogen peroxide. It is used to wipe the inside of the auricle until it is completely cleaned. If necessary, the procedure is repeated. So that the peroxide does not dry out the delicate skin of the abalone, after cleaning it is lubricated with oil.
- Antiseptic treatment includes treatment of cleaned areas with a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide, furatsilin, chlorhexidine.
- Examination of the animal by a veterinarian, making a diagnosis and prescribing therapy.
- Treatment of the rabbit according to the instructions of a specialist.
Drug treatment
- Blood in the rabbit’s ear. Burning with 70% ethyl alcohol.
- Wounds, scratches, sores in the auricle. Disinfection with an antiseptic, application of antibacterial ointments (for example, Levomekol) until complete healing.
- Red spots when affected by ringworms. Application of Fungin ointment.
- Rashes (pimples) due to allergies. Antihistamines, exception of allergen from food.
- Foreign body in the ear. If it is shallow, you can pull it out with tweezers yourself (with deep penetration – surgical extraction).
- Overheating. Move the animal to the shade or a cool place, applying wet compresses to the paws and head.
- Frostbite of the ears. The animal is taken to warmth: 1st stage – lubrication with petroleum jelly; 2nd stage – application of iodine or camphor ointment; Stage 3 – surgical removal of dead tissue, antibiotics after surgery. At all stages – aluspray.
- Scabies in the ears. Spraying of aerosols (acrodex, psoroptol, dicrezil, tsiodrin, acaromectin), injections with baymek (ivomek), inside – drops of dekt.
- Otitis. Antibacterial and hormonal therapy (cephalosporins, penicillin, bicillin, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin), bury anti-inflammatory drops.
- A swollen form of myxomatosis. Slaughter and burning of the animal, disinfection of the rabbit hutch.
- Nodular form of myxomatosis. Introducing a 14-day quarantine, treating bumps with iodine solution, giving antiviral drugs (Gamavit, Fosprenil), B vitamins, antibiotics (Baytril, Ofloxacin), saline solution dripped into the nose.
Prevention of ear diseases
Disease prevention is the most important element of proper rabbit care. If the pathogen is prevented in time, many diseases can be avoided, including ear diseases.
For prevention, it is recommended to carry out a number of measures:
- Constantly inspect livestock, pay attention to ear inspection;
- Clean the ears from sulfur secretions, dirt;
- Disinfect the rabbit hutch and equipment once a month;
- Insulate the cages for the winter or move them to warm rooms;
- Provide ventilation in the place of detention;
- Observe quarantine for purchased animals;
- Feed rabbits, taking into account their nutritional needs;
- Twice a day, clean the rabbit houses;
- Isolate animals in quarantine if there is minimal suspicion of disease;
- Conduct disinsection, deworming and deratization on the farm once every six months;
- Service personnel must wear special clothes for working on the farm.
Experienced rabbit breeders assure that it is better to disinfect everything one more time before treating it. In addition, it is known that not all diseases of rabbits can be treated. If a sore has appeared in the animal’s ear, it is better to immediately seek help from a veterinarian.
Ears are a special organ of rabbits, which distinguishes them from all representatives of the fauna. However, it is they who are most often exposed to various diseases and the influence of the external environment. Proper care and prevention will help keep ears standing. And this will definitely indicate the excellent health of eared pets.