Symptoms and Pathological Changes of Rabbit Middle Ear

Section 1: Causes of Rabbit Middle Ear Inflammation

Several factors can contribute to the development of middle ear inflammation in rabbits, including poor husbandry, longdistance transportation, sudden changes in feed, malnutrition, parasitic infections, and overcrowded living conditions. These issues can weaken the rabbit's immune system, making it easier for pathogens to invade and cause infection. Additionally, middle ear inflammation can be a secondary condition resulting from other diseases, such as perforated tympanic membrane, external ear canal inflammation, influenza, and infectious rhinitis. Among these, the main causative agent of infection is often Pasteurella multocida.

Section 2: Symptoms and Pathological Changes of Rabbit Middle Ear Inflammation

1. The clinical symptoms of simple middle ear inflammation can be subtle, with a common sign being a head tilt in affected rabbits. The degree of tilting can vary among individual animals. In cases of unilateral middle ear inflammation, the rabbit will typically tilt its head and neck towards the affected side, with the ear facing downward. Some rabbits may also exhibit rotational movements of the head, leading to the condition being referred to as wry neck. In cases of bilateral middle ear inflammation, the rabbit may exhibit a低头伸颈 behavior. If the affected ear develops abscesses or discharge, the rabbit may also show signs of fever, depression, difficulty eating and drinking, dehydration, and possibly neurological symptoms if the infection spreads to the meninges and brain. The course of the disease can be protracted, lasting for a year or more.

Section 3: Treatment and Prevention of Rabbit Middle Ear Inflammation

1. Treatment

a. Administer antiinflammatory treatments. Inject Bayol Injection (dosage: 0.13ml/kg) every two days, and add 80g of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride to 100kg of water or include 200g of enrofloxacin soluble powder per 100kg of feed. For localized areas, clean the affected area with a disinfectant, dry it with a cotton ball, and then drop amoxicillin sodium or Bayol Injection into the rabbit's ear twice daily for five consecutive days. Additionally, subcutaneously inject amoxicillin sodium at a dose of 20 mg per rabbit, twice to three times a day, for five to seven days.

b. Enhance nerve nutrition by injecting维生素B1 and维生素B12 at a dosage of 0.05ml/kg subcutaneously.

2. Prevention Measures

1. Treat any external ear canal inflammation, influenza, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, or other diseases promptly in rabbits.

2. Vaccinate rabbits with the rabbit bivalent vaccine at the beginning of spring and autumn each year. Pay attention to the cleanliness and disinfection of the rabbitry, and take timely preventive measures.

That concludes our discussion on the symptoms and pathological changes of rabbit middle ear inflammation with Oxygen Pet Doctor. Middle ear inflammation is a serious condition, and it is crucial for owners to take it seriously and ensure proper prevention for their rabbits.