sore hocks – don’t know what to do!

[cainan]

I’m at a total loss for what I can do to prevent Banner from getting sore hocks. (or at least not getting them all that badly).  The vet had recommended that I put down softer flooring, etc. etc., so I did.  I have many layers of fleece/flannel/cotton carpet in the pen, and I put down a big plush wool rug in the living room for him to run and jump on.

Today I noticed what looks like what is probably an infected bump (or about to be infected, bah) on one of his feet.

I wonder if I actually made it worse by putting down the thick wool carpet – could it be that he’s making his feet worse by running around w/quick turns and all on thick wool?

Going to take him to the vet next week, but would welcome any suggestions/thoughts about flooring so that my poor little man can run around!

 

[KatnipCrzy]

Does the wool feel soft or abrasive to you when you run your hand over it? I think it is pretty common for bunnies to get calluses on their hocks- but it obviously needs to be monitored as you are doing for any sores or infection. Please keep us updated and healing vibes to Banner.

[Tate]

What else are you doing for his feet other than flooring?

[Kate Monster]

Maybe do toenail trimmings a little more often to keep them as short as possible. And make sure that there’s no dampness to any of the surfaces Banner stands on for long periods of time, particularly the litter box. I know that frequent thumping can cause them too, but there’s not much of a cure for that really. And if Banner was very confined before now and didn’t get to do much zooming about, it might just be a matter of time before calluses build up and the sore hocks stop.

[cainan]

Thanks everyone. I just started bag balm when I noticed how bad they were. He’s not a thumper at all . But he is a jumper! I think the toenails definitely have something to do with this. He’s such a squirmed that it’s close to impossible to cut them myself! Thanks for the letterbox tip too. Oh per the vet Ive been using care fresh in his box.

[kamdynandsunshinesmom]

Is he on a wire floor if so you should maybe think of getting him a softer floor. Another thing that has worked for me is a&d ointment the kind you find in the baby section make sure it is the original a&d ointment. Flip your rabbit carefully on his back and apply a little bit to his bumps making sure you rub it in very well let it sit for a few minutes.

[cainan]

Hi,
Nope he and merry have an entire bedroom to themselves lol and it’s hardwood covered by blankets and rugs and flannel etc etc. As o the wool carpet – I think it feels soft but I could imagine getting carpet burn from it ifi were running andcameto an abrupt halt!

As to turning him onto his back… I WISH! That Boy us the squirmiest creature ever! He’s the mist loving guy too except when Truro pick him up… Then it’s biting and scratching with those Rex claws!(followed by kisses from him, which is funny)

[LittlePuffyTail]

Can you describe what his hocks look like? Are there cracks or open wounds? Are they pink or red?

[cainan]

Not cracked nor open… There are calluses, but the thing that worries me is thethingon the inside of his left foot… There’s a bump that looks inflamed. Like a blister. Everything else is pink, not red

[RabbitPam]

The wool may be a bit too thick or abrasive, but it could have nothing to do with it. If it’s inflamed, let the vet see him and treat it. I like Bag Balm, but he may need something with some medication in it at this point. I also agree that any standing water, or moisture in his litter pan for example, might need to be watched for and removed. Maybe his water dish is spilling (or a bottle is dripping?) and he’s in it too often.

I assume he’s a rex since their feet are prone to red areas. They often heal but never regrow fur, so once it’s a callous, he will be fine. Just needs to be treated and not get new ones.

I find that there are some nice, low pile area rugs that aren’t very expensive at Target or Walmart. If he doesn’t chew on the pile, a low pile gets good traction for running but isn’t rough. I like cotton, but a synthetic that isn’t chewed on might actually feel better to his feeties.

[cainan]

Yep, he’s a Rex! We’re going to the vet this evening. He seems to nit really be a chewer anymore which is good so I could switch up rugs. It’s just odd to me that it’s the inside side of his foot, not the bottom. He does step in his water sometimes but that’s w his front paws. Must be the litter – he and merry are sharing two boxes so maybe they’re peeing more than normal to mark and remark the boxes . Figures that the bunny I can’t pick up is the one whose feet I need to examine! Lol

[Beka27]

Rexes are tough. They almost always get sore (or at least pink) hocks. Carpet can be a problem too because it is very rough and tends to take off the fur from their feet. If they can navigate the wood floors okay, they might actually have better luck on there with soft blankets for their “off-time”

[cainan]

Hm, interesting – I always thought wood floors were a no-no. Banner is okay on them althou they’re not his favorite. Maybe I’ll ditch the rug (he’s plenty comfy during the day in the pen) and go with a lighter weigh one just so he can run without slipping too too much

[cainan]

quick update – his hocks aren’t sore – apparently he either hit or punctured the inside of his foot and he had an abscessed wound. So lucky me I get to clean the little squirmy biter’s foot 2x day and give the kid medicine (baytril and metacam). Remember when you were a kid and you didn’t want to take your medicine and you made that squinchy mouth tightly shut face and shook your head from side to side trying to avoid the spoon? It was EXACTLY like that tonight!

[LittlePuffyTail]

Well, at least it’s not sore hocks so you don’t have to try to rearrange his living quarters. How long is he on antibiotics?

Remember when you were a kid and you didn’t want to take your medicine and you made that squinchy mouth tightly shut face and shook your head from side to side trying to avoid the spoon? It was EXACTLY like that tonight!

Yup, I know that look. That’s exactly what Bindi does and it’s made more difficult because his face is so squishy.

[cainan]

If it wasn’t so darn frustrating that face would be so cute! Certainly cuter than the bite marks all over me :-/

He’s on the drug for a week, once a day

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