Happi Bun
Well-Known Member
My 8 year old Himalayan Dwarf Mix named Dunkin seems to have pretty advanced sore hocks He's pretty much always been missing hair on his hocks and they always look pink. Sometimes there will be a callus. There was an incident a few years back with his hocks bleeding. That was back when he was on bare linoleum though. Ever since then I make sure he's got a few layers of fabric over the majority of the linoleum (especially where he sits and spends the most time). There hasn't been anymore problems until now.
I was cleaning out the bunny pen when I noticed this where Dunkin likes to sit and sleep. It was partially covered so I missed seeing it until now:
Yes, those are blood stains and I majorly freaked when I saw them! :nerves1 I was ready to rush him to an emergency vet thinking something truly awful must be wrong, but then I remembered his history of sore hocks. I picked him up and looked at his feet. Sure enough, they looked very inflamed with varying shades of red, some spots light and some very dark. I was a bit relieved he wasn't in immediate peril, but I knew it was still dangerous and of course painful. I applied some Bag Balm as a protective layer and to help soothe, then I got on the phone.
I immediately contacted the owner of the rabbit rescue I volunteer with for advice. Tomorrow morning right when the vet opens I'm going to try and hopefully get a same day appointment. We agreed that at this stage it needs vet treatment. The risk of infection is apparently really high when sore hocks break open and start bleeding. The worst case scenario is infection going into the bone. I'm bringing Dunkin over to the rabbit rescue in an hour. The owner has pain meds on hand and she's going to help me take care of his feet. He must be in a lot of pain. :cry1:
Could an x-ray be helpful? I'm concerned since he is 8 years old that he might have arthritis pains which are causing him to sit improperly and put excessive weight on is hocks. I just don't understand how it could get so bad with him being on soft fabric. Suggestions on fabrics that are good for bunnies prone to sore hocks or just advice in general is greatly appreciated!
I was cleaning out the bunny pen when I noticed this where Dunkin likes to sit and sleep. It was partially covered so I missed seeing it until now:
Yes, those are blood stains and I majorly freaked when I saw them! :nerves1 I was ready to rush him to an emergency vet thinking something truly awful must be wrong, but then I remembered his history of sore hocks. I picked him up and looked at his feet. Sure enough, they looked very inflamed with varying shades of red, some spots light and some very dark. I was a bit relieved he wasn't in immediate peril, but I knew it was still dangerous and of course painful. I applied some Bag Balm as a protective layer and to help soothe, then I got on the phone.
I immediately contacted the owner of the rabbit rescue I volunteer with for advice. Tomorrow morning right when the vet opens I'm going to try and hopefully get a same day appointment. We agreed that at this stage it needs vet treatment. The risk of infection is apparently really high when sore hocks break open and start bleeding. The worst case scenario is infection going into the bone. I'm bringing Dunkin over to the rabbit rescue in an hour. The owner has pain meds on hand and she's going to help me take care of his feet. He must be in a lot of pain. :cry1:
Could an x-ray be helpful? I'm concerned since he is 8 years old that he might have arthritis pains which are causing him to sit improperly and put excessive weight on is hocks. I just don't understand how it could get so bad with him being on soft fabric. Suggestions on fabrics that are good for bunnies prone to sore hocks or just advice in general is greatly appreciated!