Todayโs path rounds are on ๐๐๐ซ ๐๐๐ง๐ค๐๐ซ!
๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ?
๐๐๐ซ ๐๐๐ง๐ค๐๐ซ is a thickening and irritation of the external ear caused by an ear mite, ๐๐ฌ๐จ๐ซ๐จ๐ฉ๐ญ๐๐ฌ ๐๐ฎ๐ง๐ข๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ข. This irritation produces a crust lining the ear that is extremely painful!
๐๐ก๐จ ๐ ๐๐ญ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ?
We see this condition in rabbits!
๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ?
These mites are highly contagious, and any rabbits living in an environment contaminated with the mites are at risk of being infested. Thankfully, most rabbits will not show clinical signs of disease, due to the anti-parasitic components of the immune system. However, if rabbits become stressed due to overcrowding, poor nutrition or weather changes, their immune systemโs effectiveness may be reduced, resulting in widespread infestation. It is estimated that up to 10 000 mites may live within one rabbit ear!
๐๐ก๐ฒ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฆ?
Not only are the crusts produced by the infection painful, the infection is also extremely itchy. These rabbits will often present with head shaking and ear rubbing, and they may be so focused on their itchy ears that they stop eating and lose weight. In some severe cases, the infection may extend into the middle ear, which can potentially lead to infection of the ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ฌ (the protective covering around the brain)!
๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ ๐๐ข๐๐ ๐ง๐จ๐ฌ๐๐?
Usually this infection is diagnosed by scraping off a small crust and examining it under the microscope. This allows the veterinarian to see the mites directly!
๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐๐?
Treatment usually involves thorough cleaning of the ears under anesthesia, due to how painful the crusts are. After cleaning, anti-parasitic medications can be applied to the ears to control the infection. It is important to remember that the mites can survive for 21 days in the environment, so the rabbitโs environment must also be thoroughly cleaned and any other rabbits in the same household should also be treated.
๐๐ก๐จ๐ญ๐จ๐ฌ
1) What the mite looks like under the microscope!
2-5) Crusty, sad ears with ear canker.
๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐๐ฌ
Elsheikha H, Sands P. Psoroptes cuniculi otitis in rabbits. Vet Times 2011.
Photo 1 ยฉ Wikimedia Commons contributor Alan R Walker licensed under CC Share Alike 3.0 Unported.
Photos 2-5 ยฉ Noahโs Arkive contributors King, Jakowski, Leathers, Allison licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
