Bunny Rabbit Lop-eared Ear infection

Hare me out—your lop-eared rabbit may be the cutest creature to hip-hop on this planet, but those floppy ears require special attention! If your bunny seems to be tilting their head and losing their balance, they may have an ear infection and need to visit an exotic pet veterinary specialist. Morphological differences between lop-eared rabbits versus wild-type straight-eared rabbits (caused by breeding preferences for floppy ears) account for the increased rates of cranial health issues in lop-eared rabbits [1]. This ranges from ear infections to even dental problems. Ear infections are painful and if left untreated can potentially result in deafness, and so early identification and intervention are beneficial.

Why Do Lop-eared Rabbits Have More Aural Health Problems?

Or rather, let’s start with why do some rabbits have floppy ears in the first place?

The “father of evolution” Charles Darwin was the first individual to document this floppy evolutionary occurrence, noticing that lop-eared rabbits (rabbits with pendulous pinnae) concurrently had notable deformation of their skull that impacted where the auditory meatus meets with the tragus [2]. Selection amongst breeders for lop-eared rabbits in the 19th century was commonplace, and a hallmark example of artificial selection [2]. Since then, scholars have refined theories to account for the inadvertent byproduct of breeding selection for lop-eared rabbits, with the phenotypic accommodation theory surfacing as the popular theoretical framework for this unique morphological byproduct. The phenotypic accommodation theory addresses instances in which one trait undergoes selection for a morphological change, and as a consequence, a neighboring trait may change as a result of the trait’s “structural relatedness” [3]. And so selection for increased ear length has actually changed the shape of lop-eared rabbit external auditory meatus, which is the bony tissue that supports the cartilaginous external ear [3].

This selection has gone on to create nine different domestic lop-eared rabbits, with lop-eared rabbits now representing up to 57% of the types of rabbits bred in England [1]. Moreover, lop-eared rabbits composed approximately 58% of the breeds advertised on a popular UK free pet website [1]. Ironically, despite breeding and advertising preferences suggesting a consumer bias for lop-eared rabbits, a recent study assessing human preference on “what makes a rabbit cute?” found that erect-eared rabbits are actually considered significantly cuter [4].

Irony aside, selection for lop-eared rabbits has resulted in increasingly narrow ear canals, which reduces airflow and obstructs the expulsion of earwax [1]. The accumulation of earwax provides the ideal breeding ground for opportunistic microorganisms and consequently predisposes lop-eared rabbits to otitis externa, otitis media, and otitis interna; in other words, lop-eared rabbits are more likely to suffer painful ear infections. Bacterial microorganisms such as Pasteurella multocida, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Streptococcus spp have been found to be associated with otitis manifestation in lop-eared rabbits [5]. Additionally, Psoroptes cuniculi mite infestations also cause otitis externa [1].

What Symptoms Should I Look For My Lop-eared Rabbit’s Ear Health?

Recognizing the warning signs of potential ear infections is important for any lop-eared rabbit owner. Presentations of otitis (inflammation of the ear) exist on a spectrum, and can be acute but also chronic. Here are some symptoms to be on the lookout for:

  • Head and/or ear scratching
  • Head shaking
  • Loss of balance
  • Loss of appetite
  • Pain and irritation around the affected ear
  • Sudden loss of balance, dizziness

Lop-Eared Rabbit Visits Exotic Pet Veterinarian

A lop-eared rabbit visits their exotic pet veterinarian.

If you think your rabbit may have an ear infection, the best thing you can do is get a quick and accurate diagnosis from your rabbit veterinarian as soon as you notice symptoms. If the infection is bacterial, getting started on an antibiotic treatment plan tailored to the severity and strain of your rabbit’s ear infection is important [6]. Antifungal medications or anti-parasite injections will be administered if the infection is caused by either yeast or mites, respectively. In severe cases, your rabbit may need hospitalization and even surgery.

Diagnosing Ear Problems in Lop-eared Rabbits

Considering the importance of understanding the severity of your rabbit’s ear infection, diagnostic tools are critical in delivering quality clinical care. Although culture-based tests have historically been lauded as the convention for ear infection diagnosis, scientific research has provided increasing evidence for the diagnostic benefits of Next-Gen Sequencing (NGS) technology. Conventional culture-based tests have significant limitations in sensitivity to various microorganisms, as many remain undetected by culture methods [2]. Specifically, Gram-negative bacteria like Pasteurella multocida are challenging to culture and can result in “no growth” cultures despite symptomatic ear infection presentations [2]. This is particularly problematic in cases of antibiotic-resistant strains of opportunistic pathogens, and so having the diagnostic knowledge to assign appropriate medical intervention is key [6].

The MiDOG All-in-One Microbial Test utilizes NGS technology to detect and quantify microbial DNA through untargeted and comprehensive sequencing and quantitative comparisons to reference databases. The MiDOG NGS technology provides a useful opportunity to shed light on the microbial makeup of your rabbit’s ear for clinical application [7]. The MiDOG microbial test is grounded on scientific research that provides veterinarians DNA evidence for the guided treatment of rabbit ear infections, such as otitis. A MiDOG microbial test provides the technologies for the accurate identification of all microorganisms within a pet’s sample, independent of culturing.

midog microbial swab collection test kit

Find out if your vet uses MiDOG before you book your next appointment!

For health-related questions about your rabbit or other exotic pet, reach out to a veterinarian that specializes in exotic pets.

References:

[1] Johnson, J. and Burn, C., 2019. Lop-eared rabbits have more aural and dental problems than erect-eared rabbits: a rescue population study.

[2] Cordero, G. and Berns, C., 2016. A test of Darwin’s ‘lop-eared’ rabbit hypothesis. Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 29(11), pp.2102-2110.

[3] West-Eberhard, M., 2005. Phenotypic accommodation: adaptive innovation due to developmental plasticity. Journal of Experimental Zoology Part B: Molecular and Developmental Evolution, 304B(6), pp.610-618.

[4] Harvey, N., Oxley, J., Miguel-Pacheco, G., Gosling, E. and Farnworth, M., 2019. What Makes a Rabbit Cute? Preference for Rabbit Faces Differs according to Skull Morphology and Demographic Factors. Animals, 9(10), p.728.

[5] Fisher, P. and Carpenter, J., 2012. Neurologic and Musculoskeletal Diseases. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents, pp.245-256.

[6] Vennen, K. and Mitchell, M., 2009. RABBITS. Manual of Exotic Pet Practice, pp.375-405.

[7] Hall, J., Holmes, M. and Baines, S., 2013. Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of canine urinary tract pathogens. Veterinary Record, 173(22), pp.549-549.


Categories: Ear Health, Exotic Pets, Next-Gen DNA Sequencing Technology, Rabbits

animal diagnostics

Validated by Veterinarians

“Clients expect their veterinarians to stay up to date on all matters that affect the health and well being of their non-human family members. The current technique that we have used to determine the presence and antibiotic sensitivity of organisms causing disease in our pets is over a century old.

With the emergence of dangerous antibacterial resistance, it is critical that veterinarians are able to offer laser focused diagnostics and treatment. MiDog enables us to offer care that exceeds the typical standard of care.”

Bernadine Cruz, DVM, Laguna Hills Animal Hospital Laguna Woods, CA

“I love the absolute abundance and comparing the fungal with bacterial infection. I do not worry as much about getting a false negative urinary infection reading as I do with traditional urine cultures. Several times the same urine would culture negative but MiDOG would detect pathogens.”

Michael Morgan, DVMQuail Animal Hospital, Tustin, CA

“The MiDOG All-in-One Test is amazing, I would use it instead of culture and sensitivity.  Such rapid and detailed results, I will reach for MiDOG before culture next time!

Thank you very much MiDOG, for sharing the opportunity to try your technology.”

Martha Smith-Blackmore, DVM, President of Forensic Veterinary Investigations, LLC – Boston, MA

The MiDOG All-in-One Microbial Test is our new gold standard of pathogen identification. The results are so accurate and valuable – especially with assessing both bacterial and fungal infections with the same sample.

Thank you MiDOG!”

Kathy Wentworth, DVM, Diplomate ABVP Canine and Feline Practice – PetPoint Medical Center, Irvine, CA

“The MiDOG staff was extremely helpful and supportive.”

Cathy Curtis, DVM – London, UK

“I have had great results using the MiDOG® Test. Compared to traditional culture tests, I am better able to target the treatment for dogs because the MiDOG® Test is so sensitive that it identifies all pathogens including bacteria and fungi, as well as antibiotic sensitivity.

The cost and turnaround time are about the same as a culture test, but I get much more data. The test has great performance and I believe the NGS technology will be a game changer for veterinarians treating dogs with lesions or other infections.”

Michael Kavanagh, DVM, Practice owner – Saddleback Animal Hospital, Tustin, CA

“It’s helpful to have an NGS spectrum because it gives you a broader insight of what’s happening and what might be going on.”

Richard Harvey BVSc DVD DipECVD PhD FRSB FRCVS – European Specialist in Veterinary Dermatology – Head of Dermatology, Willows Veterinary Centre & Referral Service – Solihull, England UK

“I have been using MiDog for over 4 years now and exclusively as my test of choice for all cultures for 3 years.  It is so great to submit a culture and feel confident there will be a result when it comes back, especially for urine cultures.  The reports were intimidating at first because they contain so much information.  After the first few, I am now quickly able to glance over it and pick out the highlights.  I can then come back later and pour over all the details.  I have been extremely pleased with my patients’ results using the test as well.  I don’t envision ever going back to traditional culture and susceptibilities again.”

Brian M. Urmson, DVM, Columbiana Veterinary Associates

“As an exotic veterinarian, there are numerous tests we have to consider to check specific bacterial and fungal organisms based on the species. MiDOG eliminates the need for many of these separate samples and provides definitive results quickly to help us treat our patients more efficiently and effectively. The lab is wonderful to work with and has never rejected our samples- they even processed a lizard toe we amputated and determined the cause of skin infection.”

Dr. Melissa Giese, Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital

“MiDOG’s diagnostic approach offers the unique ability to identify pathogens that evade traditional culture and sensitivity testing. I have found that adding a molecular based testing approach in the form of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) from MiDOG to my routine diagnostic cultures can be extremely helpful in the identification and diagnosis of uncommon pathogens in veterinary medicine.”

Dr. Wayne Rosenkrantz, Animal Dermatology Clinic – Tustin

“She [Dr. Krumbeck] really did a great job of making complicated concepts accessible and demonstrating the value of your services. I’m really looking forward to working with MiDOG on my research project!”

Dr. Yaicha Peters, Animal Dermatology Clinic – San Diego

“As a proud collaborator with MiDOG, I deeply appreciate their dedication to fostering partnerships between industry and veterinary experts. Their commitment to enhancing diagnostic quality for veterinarians is commendable. In my experience, their support has been invaluable, earning them a ‘Double A+, Triple Star’ rating. Their assistance has been faultless, contributing significantly to the success of my projects and studies. I eagerly anticipate our continued collaboration.”

Dr. Richard Harvey, BVSc DVD DipECVD PhD FRSB FRCVS; European Specialist in Veterinary Dermatology

“We’re seeing that, if we prescribe too many antibiotics or they’re taken too frequently, animals are developing inappropriate or pathogenic strains of bacteria. We’re also seeing that our antibiotics are just not working against them anymore… It’s a good example of why we need better diagnostic testing, like MiDOG, so that we’re selecting the correct antibiotic every time our patients have an infection.”

Dr. Alissa Rexo, DVM, CVA, DACVD, Mid-Atlantic Veterinary Dermatology

“The NGS technique as offered by MiDOG is wonderful because pathogens like Melissococcus plutonius, for example, are difficult to grow and keep alive in the laboratory. A standard laboratory cannot truly examine or even properly diagnose this pathogen in bee hives at this time. But with NGS, we can reliably diagnose it.”

Dr. Joerg Mayer, Entomologist and Microbiologist at the University of Georgia

“For me, as a clinician and as a researcher, I see the immense value in the product [the All-in-One Test]. I have had great success using MiDOG clinically, including identifying Mycoplasma in a 24 year old pigeon, a Nannizziopsis spp in a ball python from a large pet distributor, Mycoplasma and Fusobacterium necrophorum co-infection in a peacock, and to identify an abnormal gut GI in a technician’s dog that tested negative for everything else (but we were able to establish what was abnormal, and work toward fixing it).”

Dr. Jeremy Rayl – Veterinarian, Block House Creek Animal Hospital, Cedar Park, Texas

“With MiDog results I not only receive a list of organisms detected in the sample, but also cell counts which allow me to target the most abundant pathogens or the most pathogenic. The identification of antimicrobial resistance genes is also helpful in selecting an appropriate antibiotic. Another benefit is that sample handling is less prone to risk of overgrowth and is stable at room temperature. Easy and informative. A great tool in our diagnostic toolbox!!”

Lauren Palmer DVM, MPH, Marine mammal Care Center Los Angeles