Surgical Management of Ear Diseases in Rabbits

Otitis is a relatively common condition in pet rabbits and may affect one or several parts of the ear: the external ear canal, the middle ear, and the inner ear. A higher incidence is observed in lop-eared rabbits, likely related to the anatomy of their external ear canals. In many cases, medical management alone rarely leads to complete resolution. The anatomic and physiologic differences of the rabbit ear require species-specific considerations. A precise understanding of the anatomy of the external and middle ear is therefore essential for accurate diagnosis and appropriate therapeutic planning.