17/07/2026
Today i want to talk about Ear canker and mange in Rabbits.
In rabbits, ear canker and mange are closely related — basically, ear canker is usually caused by a specific type of mange.
I hope this can enlighten and help you.
*What causes each one:*
*Ear canker* = The common name for ear mite infestation in rabbits.
The culprit is almost always Psoroptes cuniculi — a burrowing ear mite.
*Mange* = The general term for any skin disease caused by mites.
In rabbits there are 3 main types:
1. *Ear mange / Ear canker:* Psoroptes cuniculi → lives in ears
2. *Fur mange:* Cheyletiella parasitivorax → "walking dandruff" on skin/fur
3. *Burrowing mange:* Sarcoptes scabiei → rare in rabbits, causes crusty skin.
How are they related
*Ear canker = a type of mange.*
Think of it like this:
Mange = the whole category
Ear canker = one specific type of mange that attacks the ears
Psoroptes mites burrow into the ear canal and outer ear. They feed on skin, wax, and tissue fluids. That causes:
• Thick, crusty, brown/yellow scabs that look like "cankers"
• Intense itching → rabbit scratches and shakes head
• Inflammation, pain, and if untreated: ear infections, head tilt, even spread to the rest of the body.
Why it matters
• It spreads: Ear mites are very contagious rabbit-to-rabbit. They can also crawl out and cause body mange.
• It doesn’t stay in the ear: If left untreated, Psoroptes can move to the neck, face, and body → now you have generalized mange + ear canker.
• Secondary infections: The scratching opens the skin → bacteria/fungus can get in.
Treatment overlap
Vets treat both with the same anti-parasitic drugs because it’s the same problem family:
• Ivermectin, Selamectin
• Clean ears + treat all rabbits in contact
• Disinfect cages/bedding because mites can live off the rabbit
Ear canker is not "separate" from mange. It is mange — specifically ear mange caused by Psoroptes mites
Because mites spread fast, if one rabbit is infected, check all your rabbits. Keep the rabbitry clean, mites multiply in unhygenic damp conditions.
