Pathologies of the ears and ears are usually a relatively frequent reason for consultation in rabbits, especially in those of the belier breed. The etiology of these diseases can be very varied and range from infectious or parasitic causes to traumatic and tumor causes.
Bacterial otitis
Otitis in rabbits consists of an inflammatory and infectious process that can affect the outer, middle or inner earIt is one of the most frequent diseases in rabbits, especially in the belier breed, due to their narrow ear canal and the length of their ears that prevent ventilation of the ear canal.
In the case of bacterial otitis, the main agent involved is Pasteurella multocida, although they can also be caused by other bacteria such as Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas or Escherichia coli. Ear infection can occur by direct contact or by migration of bacteria from the pharynx or nose to the middle ear, via the pharyngotympanic tube.
The most common symptoms in rabbits with otitis are:
- Itchy ears: Otitis usually produces intense itching, which makes animals shake their heads and continuously scratch their ears. It is common for scratching wounds to appear.
- Pain: Rabbits are often more listless and have less appetite due to pain.
- Inflammation and redness of the ear.
- Atrial secretion.
- Floppy ears.
- Head turned to the affected side: is a typical vestibular sign of Pasteurella multocida otitis. In these cases, ataxia (incoordination) and nystagmus (involuntary eye movements) may also be seen.
- In belier rabbits with otitis, it is especially frequent for ear abscesses to form, which are accumulations of pus at the base of the ear.
Treatment
The treatment of bacterial otitis is aimed at:
- Eliminate the aetiological agent involved through a antibiotic treatment. In order to establish a specific antibiotic treatment, it is necessary to perform a culture and an antibiogram.
- Mitigate the inflammatory process through anti-inflammatory therapy, generally with corticosteroids.
- In addition, when ear abscesses form, it is necessary to resort to a surgical technique that allows the purulent content of the abscess to be drained and left open using a marsupialization technique.
Psoroptic mange
Psoroptic mange, also known as rabbit ear mange, is a parasitic disease caused by the mite Psoroptes cuniculi. Animals can be infested by direct contact with affected rabbits or by contact with bedding or other materials containing mite eggs.
This parasite, which lodges deep in the external auditory canal, causes a very intense itching that makes animals shake violently head, scratch their nails, or rub their ears against the elements in their environment. As a consequence, bruises, abrasions and wounds are caused in the auricle, leading to self-mutilation in very serious cases. In general, rabbits with psoroptic mange often have profuse reddish-brown crusts on the ear canal and pinna. For this reason, it is common for guardians to believe that their rabbit has injuries to its ears.
Treatment
The treatment consists of:
- Administration of an antiparasitic drug: through the ear or systemically. Avermectins, such as ivermectin or moxidectin, are often used.
- Administering antibiotic treatment: Ear lesions caused by self-injury to the animal itself are often secondarily infected by bacteria such as Pasteurella multocida, Streptococcus spp. or Spaphylococcus spp. For this reason, it is usually necessary to complement the antiparasitic treatment with a broad-spectrum antibiotic.
- Environmental disinfection: to avoid subsequent reinfestations, it is necessary to thoroughly clean and disinfect the environment, as well as wash more than 50 ºC any textile that has been in contact with infested rabbits.
Ringworm or dermatophytosis
Another rabbit ear disease is ringworm. Ringworm is a dermatological disease of infectious origin, specifically of fungal origin The fungus most frequently involved in rabbit ringworm is Trichophyton mentagrophytes, although others can also be isolated species, such as Microsporum canis or Microsporum gypseum. Infection can occur through direct contact with other infected rabbits or through contact with the infected environment.
In rabbits, ringworm is characterized by the presence of alopecic lesions of variable size, scaling and erythema (redness of the skin). Although it can affect any part of the body, the typical grooming behavior of rabbits means that the ears and face are almost always affected.
Treatment
Treatment is based on the administration of antifungal drugs, either systemically (itraconazole) or topically (miconazole or clotrimazole).
Otohematoma
The ears are highly vascular structures. When, as a result of a trauma, one of the vessels that supply the ears breaks, a pool of blood forms between the ear cartilage and the skin which is known as otohematoma.
The hematoma formed separates the skin from the ear cartilage, creating a characteristic swelling or lump in the earIf left untreated, the hematoma reorganizes to form a clot and, subsequently, a seroma. In these cases, it is common for the fibrous tissue that forms to adhere to the ear cartilage and “wrinkle” the ear, causing its deformation.
Treatment
The treatment of the otohematoma can vary depending on its extension and the degree of evolution:
- The small and recent bruises are usually resolved by performing a closed suction of the hematoma and placing a bandage that allows contact between the cartilage and the skin to promote healing.
- Very large bruises or those with a certain organization require resorting to a surgical technique that, although more aggressive, is also definitive.
Fibromatosis or Shope's fibroma
Finally, among the most common ear diseases in rabbits we find fibromatosis. Fibromatosis is a disease caused by the Shope fibroma virus. Infection with this virus leads to the formation of tumor nodules on the skin, which initially usually appear on the ears, limbs and around the eyes. Generally, they are usually alopecic nodules that ulcerate easily.
Fortunately, tumors usually disappear on their own over a period of about 6 months. Widespread illness and death from this virus is rare, especially in young rabbits.
As you have seen, rabbit ear diseases are very varied and all require specific treatment, so it is very important to go to the veterinary center if you notice any symptoms.
Imaben: facebook.com/valevetperu
