Rabbit ear has gone limp

Question
Hi,
My wife got a rabbit for a pet and he's been doing good but one day we came home from work and one of his ears was limp, I checked it and it does not seem to be causing any pain. My wife tells me its broke but I told her I don't think there's anything that can break, Do you have any suggestions as to why his ear is staying limp? his other ear seems to be fine, He stays in a large cage most of the time but we do let him out some to run around.
I appricate your time.
Thanks Eknopps

Answer
Dear Eddie,

You don't say how old the bunny is, but if he's a baby he may have some lop heritage, and that means that at the age of 6-10 weeks, one or both ears might drop due to his genetic programming.  If he's not pure lop, only one ear might drop, or both might drop part way.  The trait is controlled by more than one gene, so it's variable.

If the bunny is an adult, then a drooping ear can be a sign of an ear infection, ear mites, or even a parasite known as E. cuniculi.  If this is the case, then a good rabbit vet must be consulted:

www.rabbit.org/vets

Please read:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/tilt.html

since one drooped ear is often a precursor or a mild manifestation of a head tilt, caused by many different things:

www.rabbit.org/health/tilt.html

And since you and your wife are both new to bunnies, be sure to consult all the excellent information here for the best way to care for your bunny and ensure a long, happy life:

www.rabbit.org/


I hope this helps.

Dana