Ulcers can emerge and form scabs. In cases of bacterial infection, some types of antibiotics may be administered to the rabbit. read more. Confusingly, there is a different condition with the same name 'bumblefoot' that affects birds (this is due to a mite and not the same as in the rabbit). Too much weight means too much pressure on the hocks when your obese bunny tries to hop. The rabbit isn’t eating like usual. 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. 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. Pain causes behavioral changes; productivity is reduced and the most seriously affected animals die or are culled. Synthetic carpets can be rough and lead to sore hocks in rabbits so reduced exposure to these surfaces can be important. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. You can compare a rabbit’s hocks to your ankle. Some rabbits with thicker fur may not develop this problem. no summary available. Out in the wild, rabbits have soft surfaces such as sand, soil, or grass to sink their feet into. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Pododermatitis, also referred to as sore hocks, is a common illness in rabbits. Helping Sore Hocks. This is true irrespective of how active the animal is. It will make jumping difficult and awkward for your rabbit and thus will put an unnatural amount of pressure on their foot. If you absolutely cannot get her to a vet, search the internet. Starting as a skin problem, this condition progresses over time to affect deeper tissues and can be extremely debilitating. The rabbit isn’t hopping around much. Treating Sore Hocks in Pet Rabbits Systemic treatment with a sulfa combination or broad spectrum antibiotic, plus treating the area with an antibiotic or sulfa 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. Sore hocks are easier to prevent than they are to treat. Sore hocks (pododermatitis) in rabbits . Visit the vet; Apply a medical foot wash daily; Modify their living space; Modify your living space; Administer pain management; How To Recognise Sore Hocks The food dish still has nearly the same amount of food several hours later. Anything which could cause an abrasion of the skin should be removed. Photo by Bunny Mama. You need to but something in the cage to let him get off the wire occasionally. This is also true if the environment is moist or damp. Although they are friendly, they can become aggressive if mishandled. 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. Clean it gently with some warm water. 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. Staphylococcus spp. Causes of sore hocks *improper flooring. 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. In other words, if the animal is very active then skin abrasions are likely to occur here as there will often be friction burns on the feet. One of our leaders here, LPT (she wrote in your thread of 2012) used memory foam bathmats with her bun who had sore hock-tendencies. Healthcare: Trim nails every month (to prevent sore hocks), resting mats will also help prevent sore hocks. The blood or even the rabbit’s bones may become infected. What are the symptoms of sore hocks? 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. Pododermatitis is a condition where the hind feet near the elbow area or hock of the rabbit begin to show signs of infection. Rabbits need a wide selection of fruits and vegetables to keep healthy. If left untreated, your rabbit may stop eating or refuse to breed because of the pain and irritation. These include: Long claws: if your rabbit’s claws are overgrown, this can force them to sink into your rabbit’s heel when they are hopping. On the other hand, if the animal is relatively immobile then constant pressure on these surfaces may also lead to sore hocks. Obesity should be avoided and so it is important that owners understand how to prevent this. 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. Similarly to bumblefoot in chickens, sore hocks in rabbits, if left untreated, can cause a potentially fatal staph infection. Sore hocks happen when rabbits are kept on inappropriate footing or substrate, but also when they are in unclean situations. The living area should be cleaned, kept dry and well ventilated. You need to but something in the cage to let him get off the wire occasionally. Bone infections can be diagnosed by veterinarians when using X-rays. Out in the wild, rabbits have soft surfaces such as sand, soil, or grass to sink their feet into. can lead to infections and also sore hocks for rabbits. Sores can occur on one or both rear feet and on the front feet, however, the front feet aren’t typically affected.When sores result in severely ulcerated lesions, secondary bacterial infections can occur. Obesity: as per research, an overweight rabbit is more likely to develop sore hocks than a normal weight bun. Esther van Praag Ph.D. MediRabbit.com is funded solely by the generosity of donors. Sore hocks are not always the result of neglect, even well cared for house rabbits get sore hocks. The surface of the hock that regularly receives pressure from the body is where rabbit owners are most likely to see the effects. 12. But the good news is that sore hocks is easily preventable. no summary available. Rabbits will develop sore hocks if they live in an area that is too small because they will be constantly putting pressure on the hocks from sitting in one place. Such as the tail twisting to … Pyoderma is one of the more severe symptoms, and when the connective tissue and deeper cells become inflamed, there will be a possibility of a skin infection on a superficial infection. What do I do if my rabbit has sore hocks? 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. Inflammation happens in slightly more severe cases, especially if sore hock has gone unnoticed for a while. It is usually only seen on the back feet but can sometimes affect the front feet also in … Sore hocks hurt, and they can’t move much. I have two rabbits with sore hocks and I have been putting petroleum jelly on the sores. There are home remedies you can try. The hocks, or the soles of the rabbit’s feet, are the areas affected by this often painful affliction. 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. Secondary infections can also occur, and eventually will lead to death of your rabbit. Rabbits and sore hock, pt. As this goes on for a while, this puts too much pressure on the hocks, and as a result, your rabbit will develop pressure ulcers. Rabbits can die if sore hocks are left untreated. It is a very painful condition which requires medical attention. Sore Hocks. Surfaces which lead to skin abrasions on the feet of rabbits, including wire bottomed cages and carpets, are a common cause of sore hocks. There could be several reasons why the fur from their feet can reduce. I have not ever seen a rabbit limp with sore hocks though, so they must be pretty bad. The surface of the hock that regularly receives … Should sore hocks be diagnosed, immediate treatment is necessary. Rabbits are one of the easiest pets to keep. If sore hocks are left untreated, your rabbit can get very painful ulcerations which will become infected and she could die. If sore hocks go untreated and they reach the third or fourth stage, it becomes almost untreatable and has a chance of causing further health issues. Treating Sore Hocks. Jul 10, 2011 . Calluses or sores on feet, may develop abscesses due to 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 problems, including. Sore hocks, also known as ulcerative pododermatitis, usually develop from management and environment-related problems, such as: 1. This can pose a problem for many rabbit keepers. Owners will know if their rabbits have sore hocks simply by checking the soles of their pet’s feet. 3. It is common in rabbits that spend many hours a day on hard-surfaced floors, like tiled and polished wood flooring. Cases of sore hock can range from mild to severe, depending on the cause and how long it has been left untreated. Death of these tissues is followed by sloughing, ulceration, and secondary bacterial infection. Hutches and cages with wire bottoms should have smoother and softer surfaces fitted as the floor. • 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. The problem can be painful, and if not treated properly, can progress to very serious conditions such as bone infections. Memory foam bath mats can be good for a bun with sore hocks. The cause is either pressure on the skin from bearing the body weight on wire-floored cages or trauma to the skin from stamping, followed by skin infection. The surface of the hock that regularly receives pressure from the body is where rabbit owners are most likely to see the effects. Also, if not looked after properly, they are prone to sore hocks, obesity, and rabbit … Keep your rabbits on a regular deworming program, even if kept off the floor in wire bottom cages. Wire flooring that doesn’t have sufficient support underneath is not appropriate, as it can cause the foot to bow … What are the causes of sore hocks in rabbits? Health problems: health conditions that cause pain, such as arthritis, can lead to sore hocks. Memory foam bath mats can be good for a bun with sore hocks. sore hocks synonyms, sore hocks pronunciation, sore hocks translation, English dictionary definition of sore hocks. Care should always be taken here as some antibiotics can have adverse affects in rabbits. Drescher B, Schlender-Boebbis I. Pododermatitis (" Sore hocks") in the rabbit. In every case it could be traced to a management issue, which, once corrected, allowed the bunny to heal and stopped the occurrence of the problem. The food dish still has nearly the same amount of food several hours later. Please confirm you accept cookies to continue using the site. Pain relief is given and in some circumstances the feet may need to be bandaged. In order to treat sore hocks, you first need to … You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Bacterial infections in the affected regions can often result following the rabbit having sore hocks. Therefore, bacterial or fungal infections can result and so pus can leave the affected area. Long nails can be the cause as well. The rabbit could have to be culled if the infection gets too bad. At home, if they don’t have similar soft surfaces, they will suffer from this condition. Sore hocks happen when rabbits are kept on inappropriate footing or substrate, but also when they are in unclean situations. Large sores will form and take months to heal. Sore hocks make hopping very painful for your bun. These sores can rupture and become infected, especially on rabbits that stamp on these hard surfaces. 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. I've read several sources that say that rex rabbits in particular can have issues with sore hocks on wire floors due to their different fur and the consistency of the fur on the feet. Tails that are in the “screwed” fashion. Hygiene is of vital importance when dealing with the prevention of many ailments in rabbits. The signs and symptoms of ulcerative pododermatitis are usually graded from Grade I to Grade V, depending on the severity of the disease. I too hope the vet can see him right away, he could need oral or i.m. If your overweight rabbit is living in a cage with a wire mesh floor, that will most definitely cause sore hocks for your rabbit. •Result = sore hocks. Bedding should also be clean and dry. But sore hocks are often caused by an underlying condition or illness which will need to be addressed. 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. Prevention is the key to avoiding this problem. Some days they are quite pale looking, and non puffy and other days they are very pink/red and puffy. So, what exactly is sore hock, and what causes it? This seems to the case with Foxy. Hocks are an important part of your rabbit’s anatomy. They should not be kept on wire footing. The nails should be clipped and the affected area cleaned. If you’ve ever seen a rabbit with sore hocks, it just looks painful. I’ll ask her if you want to. In its mildest form, sore hocks will wear the fur away from the underside of your rabbit’s foot. If sore hocks reach this stage, it can be life-threatening. If you notice they are in the same place a lot, check the hocks. This can lead to debridement of the hocks. Sore hocks with rabbits is very common. I would recommend something like dry wall. It kinda looks like it's starting in the front feet too, but not very much. Nutritional support can sometimes be required where the results have been a loss of appetite. Rabbits whose claws are allowed to become overgrown regularly will lead to the rabbit placing more weight on the back of the feet. Some signs to look for when you suspect sore hocks in your rabbits. Jul 10, 2011 . The lesser the fur, the more the chances of sore hocks. They live in wire cages and I am trying to find them a resting board, what can I use for that? Open wounds can occur if the rabbit has sore hocks. 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. Since they are typically larger rabbits, sore hocks are something to be careful of. 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. Sore hocks make hopping very painful for your bun. To check if your rabbit … 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. Thank you . Foot Problems. The first step in treating sore hocks is to correct any management and environment-related problems that could be contributing. When rabbits hop, they sink back into the hock, and then they use the momentum created as a means to push themselves forward. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. 1. The constant irritation of the bunny’s hind feet can cause redness, sores, and in some cases, severe infection and deep ulcerations. The affliction is again more likely if the animal is constantly exposed to faeces and urine. Elderly rabbits that become inactive may bear weight abnormally. I have not ever seen a rabbit limp with sore hocks though, so they must be pretty bad. Pale pink calluses covered by a fold of fur can often be seen on the bottoms of rabbits’ paws, and rabbits can live comfortably with them. The rabbit isn’t eating like usual. Missing patches of fur: the fur on the bottom of a rabbit’s foot is a source of protection for them. With time this causes the fur to wear away from their feet and will cause a pain ulcer to form. Below we’ve got some nifty instructions for wrapping sore hocks. 11. • 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. Starting as a skin problem, this condition progresses over time to affect deeper tissues and can be extremely debilitating. 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. Get your rabbit's bedding and their bottom area dryer, softer and cleaner to keep the developing sores … The ankle joint allows our leg and foot to move backward and forward. Net Vet is not intended to be a substitute for seeking advice from a qualified vet. 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. 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. I've heard about Dermagel, but not too sure about using it. 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To let him get off the wire occasionally uses cookies to improve your experience while navigate! Deworming program, even if kept off the floor medical attention nutritional value to their can rabbits die from sore hocks of many ailments rabbits.