Why is my rabbit's ear suddenly floppy? Could it be an infection?

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!

Head tilt in rabbits is either because of a brain parasite or an ear infection. the brain parasite is more common and it is more fatal as well, if caught early Twix can be saved, you must take him to the vet urgently in order to get him treated.

It's probably an ear infection, often it cannot be seen from the outside. Ear infections are quite common in rabbits, it is usually caused by either yeast or bacterial disease. the treatment is usually simple and straightforward, you will have to take Oreo to the vet and get the ears checked, then a prescription ear drops will be prescribed according to the infectious agent.

Thanks for reaching out about Nugget. Rabbit is difficult to drain as it is very thick and caseous. Sometimes ear drops are not enough to penetrate this thick material and systemic antibiotics need to be added. Culturing the infection will help identify the bacterium and therefore streamline treatments. The head bobbing could be a sign of an internal ear infection affecting the equilibrium component of the ear. You should probably consult your veterinarian again. Good luck.

That could be due either to an infection or potentially an hemorrhage on one of the ear small vessels. Usually this latter condition is caused by scratching or shaking anyway and an infection/inflammation is usually present anyway. A check up would be needed to determine the underlying cause and give appropriate treatment.

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!