lops ear

Question
I have a mini lop and he had a scratch on his ear (he got it from a local free-roaming cat) and the scratch is healed, however the fur on the ear is falling off.  The ear is almost completely bald.  Are the 2 related?  Should I take him to the vet or just see if the fur will grow back?

Thank you~
Tara

Answer
Dear Tara,

The scratch may be healed over, but it sounds as if there is infection if the fur is falling out.  Please get him to a good rabbit vet asap for treatment:

www.rabbit.org/vets

Cat scratches can be extremely dangerous, especially in a highly vascularized area such as the ear.  He could have contracted a fatal Pasteurella infection systemically.  But even an ear infection needs to be treated and addressed, as it can become worse without treatment.

Please see:

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

Hope this helps.

Dana