Since they are typically larger rabbits, sore hocks are something to be careful of. Sore hocks make hopping very painful for your bun. Sore hocks in rabbits are described as a condition in which the rabbit losses fur from the bottom of his foot with inflammation of the skin resulting in pain for the poor creature. The affliction is again more likely if the animal is constantly exposed to faeces and urine. Hello I have been using Aloe Vera Gel on Molly's sore hocks for around 2 months now, and although it soothes her skin and her skin isn't any worse for it, I'm not seeing any major improvement, ie I want to see fur re-growth and softer skin. Anything which could cause an abrasion of the skin should be removed. Sore hocks, a condition in which the sole of a rabbit’s foot becomes raw and inflamed, can be caused by a number of different... read more. Memory foam bath mats can be good for a bun with sore hocks. The rabbit isn’t eating like usual. (eg. Below we’ve got some nifty instructions for wrapping sore hocks. In rabbits with long nails the weight falls on the back of the foot resulting in sore hocks. After raising angora rabbits for 12 years, I have seen my share of sore hocks, and in no circumstance was it the fault of the bunny. This can lead to debridement of the hocks. In the last post, we talked about how sore hock happens, and how we can avoid it. Sore hocks with rabbits is very common. The surface of the hock that regularly receives … I do know that sore hocks are extremely common in Rex rabbits but I can't seem to find something that'll work it out. The lesser the fur, the more the chances of sore hocks. Every donation, no matter what the size, is appreciated and will aid in the continuing research of medical care and health of rabbits. Care should always be taken here as some antibiotics can have adverse affects in rabbits. or swollen hocks. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. As domestic rabbits are usually kept on hard surfaces, their toenails cannot dig in to the ground, resulting in more pressure on the heels of their feet. Foot Problems. Missing patches of fur: the fur on the bottom of a rabbit’s foot is a source of protection for them. The rabbit isn’t hopping around much. I am trying to find a piece of carpet for a resting area but what ointment (like basoline) can I put on the bottom of their feet on the spot that is safe.They lick their feet where they have sore hocks so what can I put on there that is safe for the rabbits. The living area should be cleaned, kept dry and well ventilated. Chronic immobility due to aging or disease (arthritis etc..) contributes to hock issues especially if the rabbit is housed on abrasive carpeting. As domestic rabbits are usually kept on hard surfaces, their toenails cannot dig in to the ground, resulting in more pressure on the heels of their feet. If your rabbit just can't get comfortable in its cage, and its feet are looking abnormal, take it to your vet as soon as possible for treatment. Nutritional support can sometimes be required where the results have been a loss of appetite. Health problems: health conditions that cause pain, such as arthritis, can lead to sore hocks. Advice from a vet Occasionally, you will see a … Too much weight means too much pressure on the hocks when your obese bunny tries to hop. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. To minimize the risk, make sure the pen is cleaned often and they have a resting board. You can compare a rabbit’s hocks to your ankle. Stress or injury induced sores on feet. At home, if they don’t have similar soft surfaces, they will … Obesity or even overgrown nails can also lead to increased pressure here and thus the increased risk of ulcerative pododermatitis. Deep infection is when the problem reaches the joint tissues and ends up affecting the bone marrow, which in turn cuts the blood supply of the bones. I have a fully grown female mini-rex, and it's only her back feet in one certain spot. Therefore, bacterial or fungal infections can result and so pus can leave the affected area. These cuddly furballs have an average lifespan of eight to fourteen years, and so they will be by our side for a long time. 1. Some signs to look for when you suspect sore hocks in your rabbits. This is due to the fact that domesticated rabbits are usually kept on hard surfaces where the nails cannot enter comfortably, as they would in soil or on soft ground. Obesity should be avoided and so it is important that owners understand how to prevent this. I would recommend something like dry wall. For this reason cages are completely unsuitable for rabbits; they are active animals that need to … Cases of sore hock can range from mild to severe, depending on the cause and how long it has been left untreated. It kinda looks like it's starting in the front feet too, but not very much. read more. A rabbit with sore hocks should be examined and treated by a good rabbit vet, especially if there are open sores that might need antibiotics or other medical intervention.. These cookies do not store any personal information. A lack of appetite can be observed both by the affected rabbit’s food being left relatively untouched or even by a reduction in the amount of faeces produced. Ideally, the rabbit should not be kept on wire bottomed cages as these increase the likelihood or sore hocks and worsen the problem for those already affected. Nails can also be a discharge, and non puffy and other days they are friendly, will! 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