My bunny is just lying there with cold ears. Is it an emergency?

I am sorry to hear that Paisley isn’t feeling well, and thank you for your question. From what you are describing, she could have an ear infection. Unfortunately this is very common in lop eared rabbits, and often gets quite severe before they show any clinical signs at home. It may also be affecting both ears, and she may not be showing it. Ear infections can be simple and only affect the external ear, or they can be deep and be present past the ear drum and into the middle and inner ear. My recommendation would be to take Paisley to a veterinarian who is familiar with rabbits. They can perform an exam of the ears and collect samples to look for infection. They can then prescribe anti-inflammatory pain relievers and may prescribe antibiotics as well. If they suspect that the infection may be deep, they would recommend imaging with radiographs (x-rays) or a CT scan. Please don’t give Paisley any human medications, as many of them are harmful to our furry friends. I would not recommend cleaning the ears until you have visited the vet either, as many cleaners are not safe to use if you don’t know if the ear drum is intact or not (i.e. they can be damaging/toxic to the middle and inner ear). I hope that gives you a place to start, and I wish you and Paisley the best of luck!

Thanks for reaching out about Luster and including photos. Usually with fright, ears are pinned backwards. Does he respond to your interaction? Could he have GI stasis? Still eating, drinking, defecating, and urinating? If any of these are a concern, a veterinary visit is needed. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Flash. Warm ears are not necessarily a fever. Watery eyes could be lacrimal duct obstructions or infections. If still concerned about Flash being ill, a veterinary visit is recommended. Is he still eating? Try wiping the eyes with a warm washcloth. Good luck.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Momo. You are doing the right thing by having him seen. You are correct that rabbits can develop neurological problems from ear disease. However, for neurological signs to develop, the infection needs to be deep in the inner or middle ear. This commonly is a sequelae to a respiratory tract infection. The signs you are describing seem to be related to the external ear canal. Hopefully this can be treated without problems. I hope this information helps!

Hi there, and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I am very glad to hear that Monty is still interested in food, as anorexia is usually one of the first signs of illness in a rabbit. Is it possible that he could have injured himself? If he'll let you, feel around on his body to see if he winces or tenses up when you touch him in a particular place. Watch his movement for any limping or dragging of paws or feet. I would also see if he'll let you look into his ears to check for any parasites or goo that might be making him uncomfortable and droopy-eared. If the above seems normal and the behavior continues, it's time to call the vet. This is doubly true if he stops eating or has a decreased appetite. After all the medical possibilities have been ruled out, you can safely talk to your vet about behavior modification. Any major changes in the home (construction, new people) could also potentially make him act more aloof, so keep that in mind as well. Good luck, and I hope Monty goes back to normal soon!

Keeping Thumpa out of the heat and immediately cooling him as you have is a good idea. I would keep him in shade with plenty of access to water, and if he doesn't start to recover, seek veterinary care ASAP once you can get ahold of your vet. Making sure Thumpa always has water and shade access, even when outside, can help prevent further heat-related issues.

Certainly cold air flows can cause upper respiratory tract inflammation/predispose to infection. Bunnies have really sensitive respiratory systems. If still eating and passing feces fine he can potentially wait until the evening but I would recommend to have him checked by today.