Sore Hocks

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naturestee

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Infections

What is it?

From Esther von Praag, Ph.D.
http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Skin_diseases/Mechanical/pododermatitis.PDF

It usually starts with a hairless spot on the sole. The skin is thickened, inflamed, and red, with necrotic tissue in the middle of the wound. Ulcers and abcesses can be present. The bacterial infection can be accompanied by the presence of purulent white paste-like pus. If the wounds remain untreated, the infection will spread to the inner tissues and and lead to the infection of the lymphatic system, the bone (osteomyelitis) or general sepsis. The rabbit is usually restless, with a decreases appetite and weight loss.

N
ormally, hocks should be a light pink/skin colour.
Red, angry hocks indicate infection.
Cracked or broken hocks should be treated immediately, as cracks permit infection entry.

Breed Prevalence:
Some breeds are more prone to sore hocks than others. Some buns also have less foot-fur than others.

Rex and Mini Rex feet are prone to sore hocks, due to the nature of rex fur (lacks guard hairs).

Prevention:
- Keep the nails clipped to ensure good weight distribution on the feet.
- Provide a variety of surfaces to live on, including a plastic or foam resting board.
- Avoid wire grid floors if possible: if wire is used, provide resting boards.
- Maintaining a healthy body weight is very important. Rabbits should look more like an hourglass and less like a lump when viewed from above. Mini-rex should weigh between 3-4.5 pounds.

Refer to Treating Sore Hocks in Companion Rabbits (Dana Kremples) for more details.

Treatment:
- Cut the nails & provide comfortable resting areas

- Sterilize feet with Betadine

*** ALL open sores must be examined by a rabbit veterinarian for infection***

For mild sore hocks (not open/bleeding):
- Bag-Balm (a cow udder cream) or regular Neosporin (without pain meds) applied daily.

Keep the cage clear of urine and feces to discourage infection.

For more severe cases (ONLY if open/bleeding):
- Bag-balm and wrapping of the hocks.
->This can be done with vet wrap - cushion the heel with fur from the bunny if possible, or use fleece.

See: Treating Sore Hocks in Companion Rabbits - Dana Kremples
http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/sorehocks.html
for the proper protocol.

It is VERY easy to cause further damage to the feet through wrapping - Proceed with caution!

Ensure that wrapping is not so tight as to cut off blood flow! Check new wrap jobs every 5-10 minutes for at least an hour to ensure adequate blood flow to the feet.
Some rabbit owners have had luck with fingers from cotton gloves as "socks"

Keep the cage clear of urine and feces to discourage infection.

Recommended Articles:

OREO - Ontario Rabbit Education Organization
: Sore Hocks
http://ontariorabbits.org/health/sore-hocks

All About Sore Hocks
http://www.rabbitnetwork.org/articles/sorehocks.shtml

Articles and Links:

OREO - Ontario Rabbit Education Organization
http://ontariorabbits.org/health/sore-hocks

Treating Sore Hocks in Companion Rabbits - Dana Kremples
http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/sorehocks.html

Listings in Rabbit References: Sore Hocks
http://homepage.mac.com/mattocks/morfz/rabrefs.html#hocks

Ulcerative Pododermatitis in Rabbits
http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Skin_diseases/Mechanical/pododermatitis.PDF

Bandaging a Rabbit Hind-foot
http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Surgery/Bandaging/band_foot.htm



RO Member Threads

Has anyone tried this treatment method? - Vet wrap of extreme sore hocks (Bo bunny)

Sore Hock treatment option - Mary Kay Emolliant Night Cream???

Chalk's Sore Foot - (Good info about variety of flooring)

Sore Hocks - (Bo bunny again)

The Saga of the Sore Hocks

Bloody Sore Spot

A Sore on Mellas Foot

We Could Use Some Advice

Hock Sores

Sore Hocks Again?

Sore Hocks

Sore on Foot



 

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