Drooping ear / helicopter ear after neuter

[PrincessPecha]

Hello,
My male rabbit is 6 months old and got neutered September 4th. He spent the night at the vets and I picked him up the following day September 5th. When I picked him up from the vet his right ear (the one they stuck a catheter in the one that was shaved) was completely limp and lifeless. The ear is a little swollen. Larger than original size. Yesterday September 9th it started to bruise. I took him back to the vet and she seemed a little nervous because the bunny’s ear is not moving or reacting at all to sound or touch. She said it is still warm (warner than the other ear) and that is a good sign. I have a follow up tomorrow. Has anyone else experienced this same thing? Did your rabbits eat ever go back to normal? He keeps licking the ear so I’m assuming it hurts. Any advice and guidance would be appreciated. I am placing cold compress on his ear.

 

[InspectorMorse]

Only just seen your post having previously responded to you on here

Helicopter ears post neuter

My boy was neutered 2 weeks ago today. When I picked him up one of his ears was down. I took him back to the vets for a check up and they said because his ear had been shaved there that’s probably why it’s down. 2 weeks on his ear is still like it and he keeps shaking his head as if it’s...

forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk

Did the Vet prescribe a non steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesic eg Metacam (Meloxicam) ? This should have been done

As I said in my other response, usually the drooping ear does eventually return to its normal position. But the fact that your Rabbit sounds to have sustained a venipuncture injury it might take much longer to resolve. And as stated a NSAID is definitely needed. Venipuncture injuries can cause significant bruising and inflammation. Infection Is also possible and should be addressed promptly. On very rare occasions damage to the vein can be permanent leading to tissue necrosis due to a total loss of blood supply and part of the ear itself can die off. The latter scenario is very rare though.