Effective Prevention and Treatment of Rabbit Otitis Med

Section 1: Symptoms of Rabbit Otitis Media

Rabbit otitis media, commonly referred to as "torticollis," is caused by infection with Pasteurella multocida. Initially, the symptoms of this condition are quite subtle, with the rabbit tilting its head to one side. As the disease progresses, it becomes increasingly uncontrollable, ultimately leading to the rabbit's death. However, it's important to note that a tilted head in rabbits doesn't always indicate otitis media. For instance, rabbits suffering from ear mites may exhibit symptoms like yellow crusts in the ear canal and constant scratching. Therefore, it's crucial to accurately diagnose the cause before treating the condition. Nonetheless, the long treatment duration, low cost, and low cure rate of rabbit otitis media can lead to significant economic losses for rabbit farms.

Causes: Rabbit otitis media can be secondary to conditions such as perforated tympanic membrane, external ear canal inflammation, colds, infectious rhinitis, and purulent conjunctivitis. Additionally, poorly ventilated, dark, and damp rabbit housing is a common factor contributing to the spread of otitis media, primarily due to infection with Pasteurella multocida.

Section 2: Treatment Methods for Rabbit Otitis Media

When treating rabbit otitis media, it's essential to first confirm the cause of the illness and then proceed with appropriate treatment. Owners should avoid selfmedicating their rabbits without proper diagnosis, as this can be detrimental.

1. If the rabbit is diagnosed with otitis media, the standard procedure is to dilute povidoneiodine in pure water at a ratio of 1:50 and then drop the solution into the rabbit's ear. After applying the drops, hold the rabbit for 30 seconds to prevent it from immediately shaking out the medication. Wait another 30 seconds before releasing the rabbit to shake out the remaining fluid. Some veterinarians may opt to use oxfloxacin eye drops or chloramphenicol eye drops for treatment, or even administer injections. Follow the veterinarian's advice accordingly.

2. Additional Treatment Methods: Administer 60,000 units of penicillin and 40,000 units of streptomycin per kilogram of body weight to the affected rabbit, and use the same medication for ear drops. The dosage for ear drops is 30,000 units of medication per 1ml, with 4 to 5 drops per application, twice a day, for a continuous period of 5 days. Additionally, inject or orally administer 0.3ml of rapidacting rabbit disease medicine per kilogram of body weight, twice a day, for 5 days.

Important Reminder from Oxygen Pet Doctor: Otitis media can be severely harmful to rabbits, with a low chance of successful infection cure. Owners should take preventive measures, regularly clean and disinfect the rabbit housing, and eliminate Pasteurella multocida as much as possible to reduce the incidence of disease in rabbits.