Care of the rabbit's ears.

Since large ears are the most distinguishing characteristic of the rabbit, it should come as no surprise that those ears sometimes need extra care and attention.

Ear canker (the condition caused by ear mites) can hit the very best and cleanest of herds if proper preventive measures aren't taken.

The rabbit housed in the outdoor hutch with legs standing on the ground is especially susceptible to ear mites. Soil dwellers, the mites are attracted to warm blooded animals such as dogs and rabbits. They are microscopic in size, and burrow under the tender tissue of the inside of the ear.

The first signs of ear mites in rabbits' ears are tiny red welts inside the ear. At this stage of infestation, mites are quickly and easily controlled. Allowed to go unattended, the mites multiply rapidly, causing a brownish, scabby looking residue to build up inside the ear.

In time, the mites can become a real health hazard for the infested animal. The animal will scratch its ears, shake its head, and will often be seen holding its head to one side. Eventually, the mites penetrate even the inner ear, causing a loss of equilibrium. The animal may stagger when trying to walk. If the infestation is allowed to reach the inner ear, there is little that can be done to control the problem. The animal loses complete control of its movements, can't get to feed, and dies.

One of the simplest to mix and least expensive ear mite preventatives or cures is mineral oil and Campho-Phenique. In a squirt bottle that will hold about six ounces of liquid, combine five parts of heavy, hospital grade mineral oil with one part Campho-Phenique. Shake the contents to mix thoroughly, and shake well before each use.

For prevention, drop two or three drops of the oil and Campho-Phenique into each ear once a month. If an animal has a heavy infestation of ear mites, put from one-half to one teaspoonful of the mix into each ear once a week for about three weeks. This will kill out the most stubborn colony of ear mites. Once-a-month treatments thereafter will prevent new infestations.

Some raisers use a cotton swab, such as the Q-tip, to remove the scabby residue from the ear. However, this is not really necessary. The animal will do its own ear cleaning as the scabs loosen.

When you treat the mite-infested animal's ears, be prepared to release the animal quickly! The reaction of the mites to the medication and the oozing of the oil down in the ear (especially if the infestation is advanced) causes the animal to apparently become almost hysterical. It will try to run away from the itching of the ear, scratch madly at the ears, trying to dislodge the itchy feeling.

Within a few seconds, though, the animal calms down and goes about the business of cleaning its ears. Given a little attention after an ear treatment the animal comes to feel that you were trying to help. It isn't terribly unusual to have rabbits become accustomed to their monthly ear treatment, and actually act as though they appreciate your helping them to control something that bothers their ears. I've seen both does and bucks sit still for their two or three drops of medication per ear, then wait for the bit of attention they expect before going about the cleaning and washing of their ears.