I have two rabbits with sore hocks and they live in wire cages. The round pink sore on the bottom of your rabbit’s foot is known as pododermatitis or sore hocks. I would recommend something like dry wall. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Cases of sore hock can range from mild to severe, depending on the cause and how long it has been left untreated. On Our Website. These sores can rupture and become infected, especially on rabbits that stamp on these hard surfaces. It is a very painful condition which requires medical attention. The more their urine scalded skin will press on the floor, the more their skin will tear, and the more likely they get infected with bacterial infections. Sore hocks are easier to prevent than they are to treat. It is caused by constantly being on wire. These cuddly furballs have an average lifespan of eight to fourteen years, and so they will be by our side for a long time. If sore hocks reach this stage, it can be life-threatening. Obesity or even overgrown nails can also lead to increased pressure here and thus the increased risk of ulcerative pododermatitis. Sore hocks happen when rabbits are kept on inappropriate footing or substrate, but also when they are in unclean situations. This is also true if the environment is moist or damp. Sore hocks are common in rabbits who are living in an environment that isn’t suitable for their delicate hocks, and since they don’t have paw pads, there is no protection for their feet. Jul 10, 2011 . Death of these tissues is followed by sloughing, ulceration, and secondary bacterial infection. This means giving the correct diet and making sure the rabbit has adequate amounts of exercise. Inflammation happens in slightly more severe cases, especially if sore hock has gone unnoticed for a while. They should not be kept on wire footing. Hocks are an important part of your rabbit’s anatomy. 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 Best way to treat sore hocks are as followed. Untreated soreness of the hocks, will lead to an animal that is suffering. This condition is often caused by environmental factors such as build up of urine and dropping buildup and wire floored cages. 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. Rabbits are strictly herbivores, which means that their diet consists only of greens, be it fruits or vegetables. I too hope the vet can see him right away, he could need oral or i.m. This condition is so common that it is often overlooked by rabbit owners when it shouldn’t be. Sore hocks, or pododermatitis, is a pressure-related condition in which the “soles” (weight-bearing undersides) of a rabbits’ feet become raw and inflamed, and in particularly severe cases, ulcerated. Of course it's also a common complaint that a wire floor will give all rabbits sore hocks which is untrue so I am a little cautious regarding this sort of advice. Death of these tissues is followed by sloughing, ulceration, and secondary bacterial infection. Sore Hocks. This is because fatal infections can result following the pet having sore hocks. read more. I refer to rabbits as rabbits but hey to each their own. The lesser the fur, the more the chances of sore hocks. There could be several reasons why the fur from their feet can reduce. Photo by Bunny Mama. The rabbit isn’t eating like usual. 2 – how to wrap a rabbit’s leg By Wolf on June 1, 2016 Tagged with: health issues. 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. In addition to the green, pellets and hay provide great nutritional value to their diets. Sore hocks so severe that the rabbit bleeds. The rabbit could have to be culled if the infection gets too bad. If your overweight rabbit is living in a cage with a wire mesh floor, that will most definitely cause sore hocks for your rabbit. And is petroleum jelly good for their sores or is there anything that works better (I am not saying that petroleum jelly does not work good I am just asking if there is anything better out there). 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. To check if your rabbit … Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Other signs include blisters, scabbing, and bleeding. can lead to infections and also sore hocks for rabbits. The rabbit’s nails should be trimmed regularly. Elderly rabbits that become inactive may bear weight abnormally. The more severe problems of this disease, such as bone and blood infections, can also prove to be fatal. Drescher B, Schlender-Boebbis I. Pododermatitis (" Sore hocks") in the rabbit. Sore hocks, also known as ulcerative pododermatitis, usually develop from management and environment-related problems, such as: 1. The Morphology of the Rabbit Other features •Crepuscular •Extreme heat sensitivity •Cannot vomit •Light skeleton (7-8% of body weight; cat’s is 13%) •Symptom masking •Can give up in extreme pain •Can die from extreme fright. In severe cases, sore hocks lead to bleeding and infection that may cause death. • Some rabbits sit with their back legs too far forward, applying more weight to the hock area. At the moment, its very dry, and mostly pink, with a few red spots. And they are both dwarf hotots If it goes untreated and takes on a more severe form, the skin starts to wear away and paves the way for an infection leaving your rabbit with a sore leg and other possible ailments. In addition, any causes leading to the problem of sore hocks can be treated so as to cure the rabbit. If owners suspect their rabbits to have sore hocks, they should bring him or her immediately to the vet. 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 rabbit books suggest that if a rabbitry has sore hocks, the fault is the rabbit — thin skin on the feet, lack of wool cover, or a genetic propensity toward inflammation in the foot zone. Your rabbit’s hock works similarly. 1. This can lead to debridement of the hocks. If the tendons are moved from their usual location or become inflamed, the rabbit will no longer be able to have use of its leg and may walk in an abnormal manner. Very poor condition. Sore Hocks Average Cost . no summary available. Starting as a skin problem, this condition progresses over time to affect deeper tissues and can be extremely debilitating. The latter is just another name for the condition known as ulcerative pododermatitis or sore hocks in rabbits. Sore hocks hurt, and they can’t move much. So, what exactly is sore hock, and what causes it? Tails that are in the “screwed” fashion. Sore Hocks are calluses or sore on rabbits feet and is more common in large breeds. Care should always be taken here as some antibiotics can have adverse affects in rabbits. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Pododermatitis, also referred to as sore hocks, is a common illness in rabbits. Thank you . Rabbits, unlike dogs and cats, do not have pads. It is usually found on the back feet because they have a large surface area and so have more contact, and thus exposure, to the ground and other sources of infection. Pododermatitis in rabbits – sore hocks Disruption of the normal stance or locomotion in rabbits may lead to pressure sores on the base of the feet, known as pododermatitis. Ulcers can emerge and form scabs. Rabbits need a wide selection of fruits and vegetables to keep healthy. I’ll ask her if you want to. The surface of the hock that regularly receives … Missing patches of fur: the fur on the bottom of a rabbit’s foot is a source of protection for them. This is true irrespective of how active the animal is. If you’ve ever seen a rabbit with sore hocks, it just looks painful. Esther van Praag Ph.D. MediRabbit.com is funded solely by the generosity of donors. The blood or even the rabbit’s bones may become infected. If the pain conditions are severe, it may discourage rabbits from moving around, and as a result, they might spend too much time on dirty bedding, which in itself is a possible cause of sore hocks. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Keep your rabbits on a regular deworming program, even if kept off the floor in wire bottom cages. Sore Hocks. Although it isn’t usually fatal, sore hocks have to be diagnosed and treated as early as possible. no summary available. Pododermatitis is a condition where the hind feet near the elbow area or hock of the rabbit begin to show signs of infection. 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. In rabbits with long nails the weight falls on the back of the foot resulting in sore hocks. 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. The hocks, or the soles of the rabbit’s feet, are the areas affected by this often painful affliction. There will be visible signs of distress, including immobility, teeth grinding, a wound with smelly discharge, and bleeding. Bone infections can be diagnosed by veterinarians when using X-rays. Long nails can be the cause as well. Anything which could cause an abrasion of the skin should be removed. The signs and symptoms of ulcerative pododermatitis are usually graded from Grade I to Grade V, depending on the severity of the disease. With time this causes the fur to wear away from their feet and will cause a pain ulcer to form. Sore hocks, also called ulcerative pododermatitis, does not actually involve the hock (the ankle joint) but instead affects the sole of the hindfoot and, less commonly, the front paws. sore hocks synonyms, sore hocks pronunciation, sore hocks translation, English dictionary definition of sore hocks. It is a very … Eventually it will not eat because of the pain. We have all the answers to your rabbit related queries. Although they are friendly, they can become aggressive if mishandled. If you notice they are in the same place a lot, check the hocks. It is common in rabbits that spend many hours a day on hard-surfaced floors, like tiled and polished wood flooring. I have two rabbits with sore hocks and I have been putting petroleum jelly on the sores. Large sores will form and take months to heal. They may also need more veterinary care. It is usually only seen on the back feet but can sometimes affect the front feet also in … A rabbit with sore hocks can be in so much pain that it can’t find any way to rest comfortably in its cage. pressure that these tissues can die off. Stress or injury induced sores on feet. This is one of the more visible symptoms, and signs of inflammation include sore and red calluses, slight bleeding, peeling skin, and scabs. In mild cases, the pain may not be visible, and your rabbit may just be a little less active than before. If you notice they are in the same place a lot, check the hocks. Sore hocks (pododermatitis) in rabbits . These include urine scalding, stress, allergies, mange, or a rough carpet. 1. Cushing’s Disease (Hyperadrenocorticism) in Cats, Feline Infectious Anaemia (Haemobartonellosis), Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD) in Birds, Proventricular Dilatation Disease (PDD) in Parrots, Gastrointestinal foreign bodies in ferrets, Conjunctivitis and Corneal Ulcers in Rats. If the rabbit’s living quarters are in poor condition, that is to say that there are low levels of hygiene, then sore hocks may be a result. • Sore hocks are common in rabbits housed on abrasive surfaces (wire, carpeting or Astroturf) or those that sit in soiled litter boxes or on soiled bedding. Therefore, bacterial or fungal infections can result and so pus can leave the affected area. The pain may lead to a lack of appetite which in turn can lead to many problems in rabbits. Hello, This is a topic that's been around a lot, I know but I was just wondering for those of you who have rabbits, with sore hocks - do they ever go away or do you find they flare up and down, never really getting much better. It will make jumping difficult and awkward for your rabbit and thus will put an unnatural amount of pressure on their foot. Foot Problems. Rabbit will ‘favor’ the effected foot, often picking it up or not walking/hopping correctly; fur loss and red skin proceeded by calluses and sores. Clean it gently with some warm water. Should sore hocks be diagnosed, immediate treatment is necessary. What are the causes of sore hocks in rabbits? This is so that any other possible problems it may have can be eliminated so as not to lead to further suffering for the animal. There are, however, some other causes as well. 2. Sore hocks happen when rabbits are kept on inappropriate footing or substrate, but also when they are in unclean situations. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Healthcare: Trim nails every month (to prevent sore hocks), resting mats will also help prevent sore hocks. In order to treat sore hocks, you first need to … At home, if they don’t have similar soft surfaces, they will … The only catch is that we need to take care of their health and not take risks when something doesn’t seem right. The more severe problems of this disease, such as bone and blood infections, can also prove to be fatal. The foot of the rabbit becomes infected, usually by bacteria, and the fur around this area falls out to reveal an exposed, inflamed and red patch of skin. “Sore hocks”, also known as bumble foot, has the medical name ulcerative pododermatitis. •Result = sore hocks. What causes sore hocks? "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 problems, including. Some rabbits with thicker fur may not develop this problem. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Rabbits whose claws are allowed to become overgrown regularly will lead to the rabbit placing more weight on the back of the feet. Put a nest box in with her; 3 days before her due date. Increased pressure on the back of the rear foot is another causal factor of sore hocks in rabbits. Flemish Giant rabbits need more food, living space, and attention than regular-sized rabbits. You need to but something in the cage to let him get off the wire occasionally. To minimize the risk, make sure the pen is cleaned often and they have a resting board. or swollen hocks. These cookies do not store any personal information. Kleintierpraxis 1996:41: 99-103. Sore hocks with rabbits is very common. A common condition amongst rabbits is something known as sore hock. Rabbits and sore hock, pt. At home, if they don’t have similar soft surfaces, they will suffer from this condition. But you obviously know all that, I read through your old thread. Arthritis may lead to the rabbit adopting a different gait and weightbearing abnormally. Despite the name it does not involve the ankle joint, but instead the skin of the hind foot, or in some cases the front paws. But the good news is that sore hocks is easily preventable. In time, lacerations appear on the legs of adult rabbits causing ulcerative pododermatitis or sore hocks, a severe health and welfare problem. In the last post, we talked about how sore hock happens, and how we can avoid it. If these areas, especially on the hind feet of the animal, have experienced fur loss, the skin is red, and that particular region of the foot is swollen then sore hocks is the likely problem.