rabbit hearing problem

[ru]

I have an 8 month old mini lop eared rabbit who seems happy in every way but doesn't hear to well. When he is sat with his back to me, it's quiet and I clap my hands, he doesn't react at all but then sometimes if he's in the garden he seams to hears the birds, salective hearing! Does this sound familiar to anyone?

[andy hughes]

Rabbits, in common with all 'prey' species, listen and react to anything that they perceive as a threat. he may well apear to be listening to the birds, but he is more likely to be assimilating all the aural stimulus around him, and screening out anything he does not perceive as relavent to his safety. Clapping, a sound he would neve hear in his natrual environment will not be perceived as threatening, so he may simply ignore it, and his hearing may well be perfectly OK. Since he is a domestic pet, and does not rely on his senses for protection, I wouldn't overly concern yourself about this, if he seems happy enough, he probably is. If it really bothers you, whisk him down to the vet and get his ears checked for any problems.

[ouch!]

Rabbits are very prone to ear mites- watch out for him tilting his head, and if he does get him down to the vets quick smart before he starts losing his balance