Some animals, such as dogs, may require special ear care. Indeed, in the absence of care, ear infections can develop and have serious consequences. What about the rabbit?

Rabbits with straight ears are not very susceptible to otitis externa, that is, infections of the ear canal. Their ear infections more frequently affect the middle or inner ear. In contrast, in ram rabbits, otitis externa is not uncommon. Indeed, the ears of these rabbits are drooping, with a fold at the base. This conformation is not favorable to the evacuation of earwax. These secretions from the ear canal are normally eliminated by migration up the ear and therefore outside the canal. However, in ram rabbits, the shape of the ears promotes stagnation and maceration of earwax. Thus, ceruminous otitis (simple inflammation) or infectious (bacteria, fungi) can develop.

Ear infections sometimes cause significant discomfort for the rabbit. They cause pain and itching. By scratching, the rabbit can scratch and injure itself. When otitis externa is not treated in time, the infection can pass through the eardrum and become complicated by otitis media and then internal. Internal ear infections can be accompanied by neurological disorders (tilted heads, abnormal eye movements, loss of balance, etc.).

Ear infections are painful and itchy in one or both ears. So you can watch your rabbit shake its head or scratch its ears. It can also be akin to over-grooming the ear area. These symptoms can be caused by an ear infection or by ear mites.

This is because rabbits are susceptible to developing ear mites. This disease is caused by a small mite, Psoroptes cuniculi, which lives in the thickness of the skin and feeds on skin debris. In this case, the itching is very severe and scabs may be observed on the ears. As a result of the inflammation of the duct, the skin barrier is weakened and ear infections can develop. Ear mites is a contagious disease and affects ram rabbits as well as rabbits with erect ears.

In order to prevent ear infections, ear care may be necessary in ram rabbits. You should first have your rabbit examined by a veterinarian. Indeed, if no sign of inflammation is observed on examination of the ear canals, it is sometimes better not to carry out special care so as not to unbalance or irritate the duct. 

On the other hand, if earwax accumulates or if the duct is red or thickened, local care can be initiated. These are mainly based on cleaning the ears, the frequency of which will depend on the intensity of the production of earwax. To do this, mild ear cleansers can be used. It is essential to use a specific product so as not to irritate the duct. In addition, these cleansers have antiseptic properties and are designed to effectively remove earwax. 

To carry out the cleaning, it is enough to run the cleaning product at the back of the ear, keeping the pinna straight. Then massage the base of the ear canal. Fluid noises should be heard. Finally, let go of the ear and let the rabbit shake its head to release the product. You can then wipe the outer part of the ear with a compress or tissue. Do not try to stick a cotton swab in the ear as this may injure it.

In the case of ear mites, the mechanism is different since it is linked to an infestation by a mite. Thus, for this disease, prevention and treatment are based on the application of anti-parasitic pipettes or spot-ons. It is essential to treat all the rabbits in the house at the same time since the parasite can be present in other rabbits, even if there are no symptoms. Secondary otitis externa may also be looked for. Consult your veterinarian to assess the need for such treatments and prescribe an appropriate medication.

In conclusion, in most rabbits, no care is necessary to ensure proper hygiene of the ears. However, in some ram rabbits, the predisposition to otitis externa requires regular cleaning of the ears, using a specific product. For any information or in case of signs of otitis or ear mites, consult your veterinarian.