• Forum/Server Upgrade If you are reading this you have made it to the upgraded forum. Posts made on the old forum after 26th October 2023 have not been transfered. Everything else should be here. If you find any issues please let us know.

  • Please Note - Medical Advice

    Please keep in mind that posts on this forum are from members of the public sharing personal opinions. It is not a replacement for qualified medical advice from a veterinarian. Many illnesses share similar symptoms but require different treatments. A medical exam is necessary for an accurate diagnosis, without which appropriate treatment cannot be given.

    You should always consult your vet before following any suggestions for medication or treatment you have read about. The wrong treatment could make your rabbit worse or mean your vet is unable to give the correct treatment because of drug interactions. Even non prescription drugs can do harm if given inappropriately.

    We are very grateful to members who take time to answer other members questions, but please do be clear in your replies that you are sharing personal experience and not giving instructions on what must be done.

    Urgent Medical Advice: If you need, or think you might need, urgent medical advice you should contact a vet. If it is out of working hours phone your vet's normal number and there should be an answer phone message with instructions on what to do.

Advice - one of Ruby's ears has gone limp.

jay

jay

Mama Doe
Ruby is an up eared bunny and one of her ears has gone floppy. She is eating and drinking and running round ok and doesn't seem to be in any pain. I was feeling all round the base of her two ears (nothing felt wrong or broken) and she laid herself out just like she normally does when I stroke her. I can put her ear up and she'll hold it for a bit but when she runs you can see it's not as stable as the other ear and eventually it falls down.

Last night my son was playing with her and she lets him be rougher with her than I like. I also know he tried to pick her up (the girl next door told on him!) I don't allow him to pick the bunnies up as he is too rough with them. My worry is that he has somehow damaged her ear.

I'm going to keep a close eye on her today but any advice would be welcome. Could it be an illness or could my son have accidentally pulled/broken something?

The vet is only round the corner if I need them but I don't want to go in unless I feel there is something really wrong as Ruby hates the vets and always gets very stressed.
 
jay said:
Ruby is an up eared bunny and one of her ears has gone floppy. She is eating and drinking and running round ok and doesn't seem to be in any pain. I was feeling all round the base of her two ears (nothing felt wrong or broken) and she laid herself out just like she normally does when I stroke her. I can put her ear up and she'll hold it for a bit but when she runs you can see it's not as stable as the other ear and eventually it falls down.

Last night my son was playing with her and she lets him be rougher with her than I like. I also know he tried to pick her up (the girl next door told on him!) I don't allow him to pick the bunnies up as he is too rough with them. My worry is that he has somehow damaged her ear.

I'm going to keep a close eye on her today but any advice would be welcome. Could it be an illness or could my son have accidentally pulled/broken something?

The vet is only round the corner if I need them but I don't want to go in unless I feel there is something really wrong as Ruby hates the vets and always gets very stressed.
Click to expand...

Have you looked into the ear canal for any signs of gunk/inflammation/infection ? Does the ear canal smell ?
 
jay said:
Ruby is an up eared bunny and one of her ears has gone floppy. She is eating and drinking and running round ok and doesn't seem to be in any pain. I was feeling all round the base of her two ears (nothing felt wrong or broken) and she laid herself out just like she normally does when I stroke her. I can put her ear up and she'll hold it for a bit but when she runs you can see it's not as stable as the other ear and eventually it falls down.

Last night my son was playing with her and she lets him be rougher with her than I like. I also know he tried to pick her up (the girl next door told on him!) I don't allow him to pick the bunnies up as he is too rough with them. My worry is that he has somehow damaged her ear.

I'm going to keep a close eye on her today but any advice would be welcome. Could it be an illness or could my son have accidentally pulled/broken something?

The vet is only round the corner if I need them but I don't want to go in unless I feel there is something really wrong as Ruby hates the vets and always gets very stressed.
Click to expand...



Has Ruby had any injections or vaccinations recently as that can cause what you've described? (even if it wasn't near the ear at all)

The other possibility is a build of wax in the ear. You could try and have a little look with a small torch (rabbits find this very tickly) or just see how she is normally. If there's any scratching or odd behaviour then call the vet.

Good luck xx
 
I've just checked on her. She is still fine, running about, eating, drinking and being herself...just with one floppy ear. Had a look and as far as I can see (she was very wriggly!) it's clean. If it's not sorted out by tomorrow I'm taking her to the vets.
 
jay said:
I've just checked on her. She is still fine, running about, eating, drinking and being herself...just with one floppy ear. Had a look and as far as I can see (she was very wriggly!) it's clean. If it's not sorted out by tomorrow I'm taking her to the vets.
Click to expand...


Has she had any vaccinations or injections at all in the last few weeks?
 
jay said:
I've just checked on her. She is still fine, running about, eating, drinking and being herself...just with one floppy ear. Had a look and as far as I can see (she was very wriggly!) it's clean. If it's not sorted out by tomorrow I'm taking her to the vets.
Click to expand...

Sounds like a good plan. It is very hot today (well it is in SW London), very hot weather can cause a 'flopped' ear(s).
 
Thanks Jane. What's worrying me is that my son was too rough with her and she hasn't run off (Benny isn't as daft...he runs off when the kids approach!). Ruby will sit there because the majority of the time he is gentle with her and she gets extra strokes.

I just hope she really isn't in pain rather than hiding it. Keep popping out to her - she's just her normal self right now.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

O
Hind leg weakness
Replies
2
Views
257
InspectorMorse
InspectorMorse
J
Advice please
Replies
8
Views
252
Jb31
J
Cocoandpickles
general advice for new baby
Replies
8
Views
254
Cocoandpickles
Cocoandpickles
Back
Top