Sore Hock Flooring-could fleece be making it worse?

Rabbits Online Forum

Help Support Rabbits Online Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

Lindsay Gunn

Active Member
Joined
Feb 12, 2019
Messages
26
Reaction score
1
Location
Brooklyn
Hi everyone, my bunny is a four year old Holland lop.
He is free roam on hardwood floor so I have interlocking puzzle mats https://www.amazon.com/Forest-Floor...hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4584413735470171&psc=1
prior to the bald spots I just used towels and a rubber with fabric mat (https://www.wayfair.com/rugs/pdp/sh...-anti-fatigue-mat-sbbc1089.html?piid=36158466)
I then added a fleece blanket in the cottontail cottage where he sleeps.

About a year ago I noticed a bald spot on his back paw and took him to the vet. They said not to worry and this is normal but to add softer flooring on top of everything. I bought a memory foam bath mat which goes under the box where he sleeps during the day and I’ve covered everything in fleece and have added uline pads made from recycled denim under certain areas under the fleece.
Throughout the year the spots have gotten worse. He had bald spots under the nail area on his front paws and a bald spot on both back heels, so I brought him to the vet. Again they said he is fine and they didn’t think it was a fungal infection because it is symmetrical. Last week I brought him in as one of the spots in the back looked worse. Again I’m told he is fine.
His nails are clipped monthly at the vets. He is eating and drinking normally. I spoke with the vet tech who said to try ssd cream, which I have purchased and waiting to arrive.

His litter is yesterday’s news mixed with feline pine topped with a layer of Carefresh (added this in 6 months ago in case the litter was the issue). I have tested not using the feline pine or switching with horse bed pellets but again still no change.

Looking back the first spot appeared after I added the fleece to his bed area the first time. Prior to that he was sleeping on the second floor of the cardboard cottage.

I’m very frustrated because I’m trying to prevent this from escalating.
Is it possible that the fleece is making it worse? Could it be abrasive?
 
636EA6CA-4F1C-418B-9167-6769C5362502.jpeg 3A03ED20-A18E-4E4D-914F-BCB8E5383C97.jpeg These pictures were taken on June 26th and are of his front paws
 

Attachments

  • 1675279B-359C-47EC-9895-7D9B78E74AD2.jpeg
    1675279B-359C-47EC-9895-7D9B78E74AD2.jpeg
    58.8 KB · Views: 1
4E1D1323-A418-4330-9815-CC2B3ABE7C6E.jpeg DDAD0745-28FA-4F9E-92E5-3F103E2A0FA0.jpeg This was taken on Monday
 

Attachments

  • 70509A07-1057-42C3-BF00-19932F837751.jpeg
    70509A07-1057-42C3-BF00-19932F837751.jpeg
    76 KB · Views: 2

Latest posts

Back
Top