Lulu’s itching, grooming, scratching left ear.

[mocha200]

This morning I noticed Lulu laying down with her left ear sideways like a helicopter. I didn’t really think about it then but all day I noticed her bringing her ear down like that. Then when I was cleaning her cage I had them in a play pen in the dining room and my sister was watching them, Then she calls to me ” Lulu just brought her ear down like Mocha’s ear!”. After I finished cleaned there cage I noticed her trying to groom her ear, but she couldn’t reach it. Then she shook her head, tried to groom again, then itched it. It seems like she might have ear mights or something, but I am not sure it rabbits get that.

Thanks

Edit: I haven’t noticed any of this from mocha yet. I just  it don’t want the cats to get what ever it is and we would have to treat them all.

 

[Sarita]

Rabbits can definitely get ear mites. The only way you could know this though is to have the vet do a skin scraping.

[mocha200]

should I wait a little longer and see if she keeps it up? becuase If I went to the vet I would probably go to the vet I HATE because my mom think the other vet is to pushy. ( I don’t like him because he doesn’t have proper tools and doesn’t know much about rabbits.)

[mocha200]

any thoughts?

[RabbitPam]

I really would choose the vet that knows rabbits the best. And not wait, because catching anything early is better and diminishes the possibility of it spreading to your other pets or multiplying in numbers (the mites). whoever can see you tomorrow morning might be your best bet. You need to select a vet you can trust. Maybe check the phone book under “exotics” in case there’s a good third vet in town.

[mocha200]

I talked with my mom and she doesn’t want me to go to the vet, she says she doesn’t want me to wast my money if it really isn’t anything. It cost $40 just to have a check up at the vet! And I have not found any other vets that are closer that do rabbits. My mom wants me to get kitten mite treatment but I don’t think that would work for rabbits.

I looked up online and found the symptoms for ear mights with rabbits but she doesn’t have one symptom. The symptom is build up and flaky skin in ear. but if it just came today it probably wouldn’t have that, right?

[KatnipCrzy]

She could have mites or an infection in her ear.  If you use over the counter mite medication is could make a raw, infected ear even more painful.  It would be like having an infection and putting insecticide on it- won’t help the infection one bit and will really hurt.

The vet can use an otoscope to look deep into the ear canal- as this is where infections and mites usually start.

[RabbitPam]

It’s very difficult to make parents understand the need for vet expenses, especially when a reasonable cost early on prevents a much larger expense in time if left untreated. I know you struggle with this. Have you discussed pet insurance with her? It offsets any larger bills. It’s $12 a month. They reimburse you when you submit a claim. Also, call the vet and ask how much she will charge to examine ears. It may be a different price for a specific cause than a general exam. Some vets will bill you or work with you on installements if you set it up with them.

[RabbitPam]

Just wanted to add that inter-species treatment, as Katnip said, is not the way to go. It can do more harm than good. You can search the House Rabbit Society website, http://www.rabbit.org, for suggestions on remedies for bunnies that will at least be safe and not painful. As a rule of thumb, avoid meds designed for other animals. Some kitten meds, like for fleas, are safe, but it’s not many. (Kind of like taking a horse pill for your own head cold.)

[Deleted User]

If these are mites, chances are Mocha would have symptoms too. It may be an irritation inside the ear due to ear wax build-up. Only a vet can yell you for sure what it is, though. Don’t spend money on the vet who does not know much about rabbits — he would likely be a waste of your money.

Look up ‘ears’ in this link from the House Rabbit Society about ears and how to clean them

http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/groom.html#Ears

can you ask for the vet visit as an early xmas gift?
 

[mocha200]

I was gone all day so I haven’t noticed any of the symptoms, but if I see her doing it again I will try my hardest to get her in.

If it was just wax build up is that dangerous? how do you clean it? or does the vet do that. also I was wondering on how to see if there teeth are to long because they wont let me touch there mouths. ( I haven’t noticed any sign of tooth pain I just want to know for the future.).

Thanks!

[Deleted User]

it is very tricky to clean a rabbits’ ears wiithout causing imjury to them. A vet has to show you. Also the teeth are for a vet to be assessed but if their hay consumption is good it usually is an indicator that their teeth are in good shape.

[mocha200]

ok. Thanks i will keep an eye on her and will tell you guys what happens.

[Author]

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