Partial ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy in rabbits

Abstract

Six lop rabbits were presented with clinical signs of otitis media or externa. The presence of disease was confirmed by computerized tomography examination, with two rabbits suffering from bilateral disease. The rabbits were anaesthetized and underwent surgery of the affected bulla. Rabbits with bilateral disease had a minimum of 2 weeks between procedures. A single vertical incision was made over the base of the vertical canal, which was bluntly dissected free from surrounding tissue. The ventral portion of the vertical canal was removed and a lateral bulla osteotomy was performed. The mucosa at the base of the dorsal vertical canal was apposed and the aural cartilage sutured to form a blind-ending pouch open at the pretragic incisure. Histopathological samples taken from the dorsal margin of the vertical canal yielded subtle and non-specific changes in the six samples submitted. All rabbits were discharged within 48 hours of surgery. The cosmetic outcome was excellent with animals retaining visually normal aural anatomy. The partial ear canal ablation/lateral bulla osteotomy procedure is quick and has a good cosmetic result when performed in rabbits.

Lop-eared rabbits have more aural and dental problems than erect-eared rabbits: a rescue population study

“…Domestication of the wild rabbit has created at least nine breeds with a lop-eared phenotype, as it is a heritable trait 7, 8 . The wild type has erect and mobile pinna due to three interdigitating auricular cartilages that provide a scaffold for the vertical ear canal 9, 10 . In contrast, lop-eared breeds have 3-5mm of soft tissue between the proximal acoustic meatus cartilage ring and the tragal cartilage of the distal ear canal, causing the pinna to fold and become pendulous 10, 11 .…”

“…Lop-eared rabbits have increased stenosis (narrowing) of their ear canals 9, 14, 15 . This, along with ear canal occlusion by the pinna, is believed by some veterinary professionals to reduce airflow and hinder expulsion of cerumen (or ‘earwax’) 10, 11, 14 .…”

Computed tomographic features of clinical and subclinical middle ear disease in domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus): 88 cases (2007–2014)

“…Computed tomography allows cross-sectional evaluation of the entire head, including teeth and upper respiratory tract, without superimposition of structures. 6,7,11,24,27,28 However, the information is descriptive and limited to CT-detected changes in clinical cases of otitis media. 25 Computed tomographic findings of otitis media in dogs and cats include thickening, irregularity, proliferation, or lysis of the tympanic bulla wall.…”

Otitis beim Kaninchen – Symptome, Diagnostik und Therapiemöglichkeiten

“…Daneben können auch unspezifische Symptome wie Lethargie, reduzierte Futteraufnahme bis hin zur Inappetenz vom Besitzer beschrieben werden [7,13].…”

“…Beim Vorliegen einer Otitis media und interna werden die Tiere häufig mit vestibulären Symptomen wie Ataxie, Nystagmus, Kopfschiefhaltung und/oder Lähmungen des N. facialis vorstellig (▶ Abb. 2) [7,13].…”