Smell Coming From Ears

Question
My bunny has a strong odor coming from her ears (definitely the ears and nothing else).  Everyone is saying ear infection and to get her on antibiotics (shelter helpers, other message boards),  but when I saw my vet they are saying ear wax.  I don't know the vet well (and how strong they are with exotics), and am wondering if wax build up can lead to a rotten smell??

Answer
Dear Sandra,

A third very likely option may be the culprit:  ear canker.  Please see:

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

for complete information on how to treat this problem, caused by parasitic mites.  They can make a rabbit's ears smell nasty, *and* they can promote ear infection, which may also be going on.

You need to get the bunny to a good rabbit vet:

www.rabbit.org/vets

who will take her more seriously and do a good ear exam.  If the ears do have pus, then a culture and sensitivity test:

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

will tell which antibiotic will be most effective against the infection (and be rabbit-safe).  I hope this helps.

Dana