Lop-eared rabbits and otitis - Part 1 - Predisposition скачать в хорошем качестве

Lop-eared rabbits and otitis - Part 1 - Predisposition

Why are lop-eared rabbits predisposed to ear infections? 👂 The anatomy of the ear is complex. It’s divided into 3 parts: External ear: consists of the ear pinna and external auditory canal, which is made up of several interlocking cartilages (tragus, scutiform, and annular), as well as a deeper bony section. Middle ear: includes the tympanic membrane, the bony tympanic bulla, the Eustachian tube connecting the nasopharynx to the middle ear, three auditory ossicles (malleus, incus, and stapes), and two muscles (the stapedius and the tensor tympani). Inner ear: contains the bony labyrinth (vestibule, semicircular canals, cochlea) and the membranous labyrinth. 👉 Sound enters the external ear and is amplified within the external auditory canal, then causes the tympanic membrane to vibrate. These vibrations are transmitted via the ossicles of the middle ear to the inner ear, which converts them into electrical signals for the brain. The inner ear is responsible for hearing and also plays a crucial role in balance (vestibular system). 🐇 Cerumen, the waxy substance naturally produced by glands in the ear for protection, lubrication, and cleaning of the ear canal, is more difficult to eliminate in lop-eared rabbits and tends to build up. Over time, bacteria and fungi present in the ear can proliferate excessively and trigger an inflammatory response: this is otitis externa. 🧠 Otitis externa can then progress deeper and may lead to otitis media or otitis interna, potentially causing neurological symptoms. 👇 Do you know which signs of ear infections to watch for in rabbits? Makri et al. Cytological evaluation, culture and genomics to evaluate the microbiome in healthy rabbit external ear canals. Veterinary Dermatology, 2024