Now he looks totally different, but he’s still a spitfire.
Duncan the Lop-Eared Bunny Overcomes Pain and Fear to Become Loving Companion
Duncan, a chocolate-brown lop-eared rabbit, arrived at a Maryland shelter with a reputation for biting. Purchased from a pet store, he had been surrendered by his family due to aggressive behavior. But what seemed like misbehavior was actually a sign of severe pain.
When Duncan was sent to Friends of Rabbits, a sanctuary for domestic bunnies with nowhere else to go, board member Sarah Healy noticed something unusual. “His ears felt like hard rocks,” she said. Unlike the soft, flexible ears of a healthy rabbit, Duncan’s ears were heavy and completely calcified.
Veterinary exams revealed that repeated trauma had caused his ears to harden, cutting off blood flow—similar to a human boxer’s cauliflower ear. The pain and fear from this condition explained Duncan’s aggressive behavior.
“He was just very scared and in a lot of pain,” Healy said. To treat his infections, Duncan temporarily moved in with Healy, who quickly discovered his quirky personality. Despite his pain, Duncan had a playful, mischievous side—knocking books off shelves, jumping on counters, and exploring every corner of the home.
After his infections improved, surgery was required to remove the buildup in his ears. During the procedure, vets discovered Duncan was deaf, likely due to the damage caused by his heavy ears. The first surgery didn’t completely resolve the problem, so doctors decided amputating both ears would be the best option for his quality of life.
In August, Duncan’s right ear was removed, and he recovered faster than expected. His care team marveled at his resilience. “Every time the vet calls, he’s up and running around,” Healy said. Later, the left ear was also removed, leaving Duncan with a perfectly round, furry head, free of pain or sensitivity.
Even without his ears, Duncan remains feisty but affectionate. He has warmed up to baby bunnies in Healy’s care, earning the nickname “Uncle Duncan.” “He would just lay there, watching the babies play,” Healy said, “splayed out and completely relaxed.”
Though Healy would love to keep him as a mascot for Friends of Rabbits, she knows Duncan deserves a home where he is the center of attention. “He deserves a family devoted to him,” she said. “Because that’s really what he wants.”
Duncan’s journey from pain and fear to joy and affection is a powerful reminder of the resilience of rescue animals—and the difference proper care can make in their lives.