These are the questions for most in our minds when one of our rabbits suddenly develops this problem. Intoxication A diagnosis as to the cause of the problem is frequently made after elimination of other possibilities. An inner ear infection may have started with an outer ear infection, which remained unnoticed and untreated and gradually worked its way into the inner ear, or with a middle ear infection, which resulted from an upper respiratory infection. Or it may have arisen from bacteria in the nasal cavity or bloodstream. A radiograph of the head may help determine if the middle ears are affected.
Treatment needs to be aggressive and prolonged.
G procaine with benzathaine. If no improvement is noticed after 4 weeks, a change in antibiotic is recommended. If attempts to clear the infection with antibiotics appear to be failing, the veterinarian may suggest ear surgery to be able to obtain a sample for a culture and sensitivity, to remove exudate, and to provide drainage. Antibiotics need to be withheld for 3 days prior to obtaining a culture. One treatment includes leaving a drain.