First time rabbit owner, rabbit keeps scratching ears?

[Gummyxx]

I’m a first time rabbit owner, and I tend to be a worrywart, but I noticed my rabbit scratching at her ears a lot this morning. It’s not something I have noticed her doing for the past couple of days, so it could be nothing but I wanted to make sure. She is about three years old and not spayed, I believe she’s a mixture of lionhead and other breed(s). I put a picture of her above resting on my friend’s tummy. ^_^ 

She seemed to be scratching at her ears quite a bit this morning. Well, she did it more so after I tried scratching her ears for her, in an attempt to help her feel better because I thought maybe she had an itch and she seemed to be struggling to reach it herself with her front paws. As I mentioned previously, I’m a worrywart with anxiety, so after I scratched her ears for her, my own hand seemed to itch and I’m not sure if I’m just imagining things or if it’s real. I washed my hands just in case.

I don’t know what else to say really, if anybody requests more information I’ll do my best to answer it by editing this post, so lemme know. It’s summer, my mother suggested maybe it could be the heat making her itch. Either way, I’d like some input from more experienced rabbit owners, please and thank you! I’ve never owned a rabbit before, only guinea pigs so I’m learning. 

[Sarita]

It could be mites – it’s always a good idea to get a new pet thoroughly checked out by the vet though so I suggest you do that and also speak with the vet about getting her spayed as well.

[Gummyxx]

That’s sound advice, thank you. But my mom doesn’t wanna take her to the vet to get her spayed. She feels she doesn’t need it. Is there any cheap way to get her examined? How much does a check-up cost? I also worry about my rabbit getting injured/infected from the spaying and I don’t wanna be away from her. Especially since she gets nervous and I’m afraid she’ll freak out or go into shock if I take her to a new place to be handled by new people, let alone stay there overnight to be spayed. We can barely clip her nails and can only do so a little at a time because she freaks out. Sorry, thanks for the advice. If you could help me I’d be grateful.

[Sarita]

Well the reason you should get your rabbit spayed is that unspayed rabbits have an 80% of uterine cancer.

I would recommend that you start looking for vets in your area who see rabbits and find out costs as they vary greatly from place to place. The thing is that rabbits aren’t cheap animals especially when it comes to vet bills and exams. And they need vet care the same as any other pet.

[Deleted User]

Aw she is so gorgeous! She looks quite familiar in body shape with my rabbit who is a cross between a dwarf lion head and an American sable. Rabbits do scratch their ears with their hind legs but if she is doing very often with no large time gap between them then it could be mites. Let her run around your room or living room for half an hour and count how many times she itches her ear and the time gap between each of them. Also if I were you I would get her spayed as soon as possible as 80% of un spayed females die at the age of FIVE from uterine cancer.

[Samicles]

if it helps any, my rabbit’s visit to the vet was $50

[justwildbeat]

Since the rabbit is new to you, it’s best to take her to a vet for a general checkup. There they can confirm if the scratching is due to mites, and confirm gender too. I live in an area where exotic vets are pricey but wellness exams are $75 and under. Call around, ask for pricing, and make sure they’re experienced in handling rabbits.

[Ellekke]

She’s beautiful!

I get your situation. You want to take great care of your pet but sadly, you depend on your parents too for bills and paying the costs. I was in a similar situation as you with my first bunny.

But I have to say that all these vet prices really shock me! I paid 20 euro (= +- 25 US dollars?) for a checkup for 2 bunnies and I paid 65 euro for neutering Frodo.

I think Moonhare ‘s advice is really good so I second that!

Good luck!

[Avantika]

Gummyxx, my rabbit Moshu is showing similar signs : jerking her head often, sometimes running frantically all of a sudden, itching and grooming her ear more often. I even used a torch and saw off white ear wax in her outer ear, though it doesnt look like a crust at all yet, but I dont want to wait till it turns into a crust since that signifies a worse state. I also relate to your issues regarding vet visit. I come from India and I am not sure how correct these vets are in their knowledge of rabbits (I visited one few weeks back for a general check up and I seemed to know more than him.). I am a student too and I depend on my family for vet expenses. Fortunately, my father is kind towards Moshu and has volunteered to help her so far.
You can read my post and see what our fellow forum mates have said about it : https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/aft/131526/Default.aspx#381825

My father will try to find Selamectin tomorrow. Three more medicines are said to work. You can read these:

EAR MITES CAUSES AND REMEDYS

http://medirabbit.com/EN/Skin_diseases/Parasitic/earmite/Psoroptes.htm

This post seems to be written by an experienced rabbit parent and she talks about a home remedy. Fellow posters, please tell us your thoughts on it. : http://growyourowngroceries.org/home-remedy-for-rabbits-with-ear-mites/

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