The ears are at it again

[LittlePuffyTail]

Hey everyone! I just got my computer back up and running. It’s so good to be back

Bindi is having ear troubles…yet again. So frustrating for me and him (especially without you guys to help me through).I feel so bad toting him to the vet and always doing stuff with his ears. He gets so stressed out.

A few weeks ago, I suspected another infection so off to the vet we went (my new vet who is a little inexperienced with rabbits but she is doing okay). A recheck after 10 days of antibiotic ear drops and there was still bacteria. Another 10 days of drops and I brought him back in today. There is still a small amount of bacteria. She prescribed a new ear cleaner, I forget what it’s called but I will post it later, it has a bunny on it. She said to continue with the ear cleaning and if the bacteria flares up again, stop the cleaning for a few days and bring him infor a culture to be done and sent away since they just keep recurring.

Some good news with regards to Bindi though, I built him a new cage using the condo cubes. It’s basically his normal cage plus a huge courtyard he can hop in and out of. I’ll have to post some pics of it. He seems to really enjoy the big space increase. I started a little jar to save up to do Stormy’s cage next and then Olivia.

[Sarita]

Healing vibes to Bindi – I almost think you should do the culture because this has been a reoccuring problem for so long. I have to wonder how effective the ear cleaners can really be too since you’ve continued to do this and no clearing up.

[jerseygirl]

I wonder if there’s a blockage somewhere so fluids don’t drain? Not sure how it works in rabbits, just thinking ear/sinus issues. I remember in a previous thread on Bindi’s ear troubles that member from Rabbits Online Infirmary mentioned a stronger antibiotic. Have you had a chance to discuss this with the new vet?

[MimzMum]

Do either of the other bunnies clean his ears? If so, perhaps they are passing something to him?
I hate to ask, but, has he always had this problem or did it happen after Olivia came to live with you (could her Pasturella have something to do with it?)
Although honestly, having to still take Mimzy in for new xrays at the end of this week, I really think this is a lop thing. They just don’t seem to be able to fight off infections. Especially of the ears or respiratory tract.

[Beka27]

You did a culture previously, right? I wonder if it’s the same bacteria from last time, or something new that was introduced to the ear? I do think that some more testing would help you to try and pinpoint what exactly is going on…

(((((((((((Bindi vibes!)))))))))))

[LittlePuffyTail]

No, I had never gotten a culture done. If it flares up again, I’m getting one done for sure. I’m so sick of all this fuss and I feel bad for Bindi because it puts a lot of stress on him.

Mimzmum- nope, the other buns don’t clean his ears. They are all solo buns. Olivia doesn’t have Pasteurella.

The new ear cleaner is called: MalAcetic Otic and it’s an ear/skin cleaner that can be used for all pets, even ferrets and horses. I’m going to try it tonight. My other cleaner is obviously not cutting it.

[MimzMum]

Sorry LPT, I thought Olivia had tested positive. My bad. >.<
So, how’s the new cleaner working? Any progress?

[LittlePuffyTail]

That’s okay! It’s hard to keep track of all the bunnies here!

This cleaner seems to be working a bit better but it’s so frustrating because I can see a bunch of gunk deep in his ears, probably where the bacteria lingers, and nothing seems to get it out. I’m going to try the cleaner again on Monday, it’s to be used 2x week, and then if his ears still look bad by Wednesday I’m going to make an appointment for the culture. I’m sure the culture is gonna cost me big, I can’t remember how much it was for the Pasteurella culture but I know it wasn’t cheap.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Ohhhh Puffy !! That’s stinks-it seems like you just cleared it up and it’s at it again

I actually got a little taste of how tough this must be on you! Rupert was flicking his ears and acting like something was bothering him this past week or so, and I tried itching it for him-it’s the ear on the side of his body that has the broken leg-so basically he can’t itch the ear properly and it was bothering him. Well he kept acting like it was itchy so I got digging in there (On a funny note-he does like a dog when you rub their belly-when I itch his ear his leg gets going really fast-very funny!) and found a lot of wax build up. It totally makes sense and I’m kicking myself for not thinking of it before-but he just can’t clean the ear on that side properly and I should have known!!! So I spent a while fighting him to get it cleaned-I just used my pinkies and a paper towel and we did get it spotless. And I got four impatient nips and major foot flicked afterwards. It was very difficult so I feel your pain dealing with anohter ear infection

[LittlePuffyTail]

Just an update on Bindi’s ears. They are starting to get really goopy inside so I made an appointment for Tuesday to get the culture done. I’m not really sure what to expect, I’m not really sure what types of bacteria it might be. I find very little information on rabbit ear infections in books and online. It’s pretty frustrating. And the only symptoms he ever has is just goop in his ears. He never shakes his hear or digs or scratches at his ears.

[LittlePuffyTail]

We went to the vet this morning to get his ears swabbed. The vet suggested we test each ear individually because one is often worse than the other, when they are infected. I decided since I’m getting it done, I might as well, to save having to possibly get it redone in the future. $150.00 for both ears!!! Now I have to wait a week to see what the results are and hopefully I can pick up some meds without having to bring Bindi back to the vet.

[Sarita]

That price does sound about right for a culture but hopefully in the long run it will be worth it. Otherwise it seems like you are going to continue to have this stress and these problems. Let us know what shows up.

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