Sore hocks (or  pododermatitis) are usually the result of a surface they are hopping on for a regular basis and other factors can cause it as well from being urine soaked etc. Too much thumping can also cause it as well. I receommend going to PetEducation.com and looking up sore hocks under small animals.  It is a good write up where you can read more about it. Rather than performing a search, there is an excellent medical guide dedicated just to bunnies: http://homepage.mac.com/mattocks/morfz/rabrefs.html

Wow, they broke the skin? That is not usual, normally it is just pink and swollen that I’ve seen. Your carpet piece may be too rough or the wire may also be the cause.  Check with your hand to see how abrasive the carpet is, you really want one with a thick pile.

Since they have broken the skin and infection is possible, I would recommend taking your bunny to a vet to have them checked and to see if an infection has set in and how far it has gone.  You do not want it to get into the bone.  This affliction is very painful and go for smooth, clean dry surfaces.  In the past berber fur – pieces of fabric or "fake sheep skin" has been used while bunny is healing.

What I usally do is call my vet and talk to him (not the assistant or receptionist – this is important) and tell him what is going on and ask him if he feels I need to bring my rabbit in.  This is something you may want to keep in mind for future questions about taking your bunny to the vet.  Unfortunately every hour counts with a bunny when they are hurt or ill and if or when in doubt, take them in to be looked at right away, especially when an open sore is involved.

As for the ointment, make sure it is the one without pain killer in it.  Just the plain old one I’ve been told by my vet is just fine.  (Community Leaders, please give input here) You do not want them to injest it, but it does on occasion happen.  As for bandaging, place some gauze on it and wrap with "vet wrap" or "Co-Flex" – It’s an adhesive flexible bandage that sticks to itself and it sold in rolls, there are several brands and I often find it in the horse section of a feed store and also have seen it in other places as well, like the dog section of a pet store.  You’ll definately want to be concerned with it becoming infected. 

**For reference I cannot cut & paste either, that function seems to not be working.

Hi! I have heard the same thing about Neosporin – the regular (as opposed to the neosporin PLUS) is the one to use – apparently buns can’t tolerate the PLUS part very well

Has Timmy been thumping a lot lately? I have heard before of bunnies thumping a lot and that causing their sore hocks to open up. Also, I can’t seem to remember, how long have you had Timmy? His sore hocks most likely originated from somewhere where he was living on a wire cage – do you know if he was? I have two bunnies that were found running on the streets that had sore hocks, probably from being in one of those *yuck* wire cages. SO, maybe the wire over the litterbox irritated them – maybe just because they were fresh? My vet had recommended using a small amount of surgical cue to glue together te fur around the sorehocks together, so that it then covered the sore hocks and protected them from the floor – maybe your vet will recommend the same things which will protect lil’ Timmy’s feets!

Thank you MooBunnay for coming to the rescue on the part withthe ointment. It’s always good to have verification!

TimmyBunny – well it looks like you have taken steps to prevent it from getting worse and aid healing. Sounds you like you just trimmed his nails, that is also good because that will help keep the pressure off his heels. It’s important to keep his nails trimmed.

Sore hocks can often be be very difficult to heal just because once they start, a bunny can further irritate it by licking and, of course, just by walking. It really is a good idea to have a vet though treat sore hocks as they can give pain meds(which not only make your bunny comfortable, but may help in preventing him from wanting to lick them and further irritate them). Vets usually give an antibiotic and inflammatory med to aid in healing and prevent infection.

I know you said it was healing already, so if that is the case that’s great, but just check daily so you can make sure they are continuing to heal.

P.S.    Regarding the search function.  It wasn’t you.  We just got it working again. However, it still has a bug in it where if the search results are long, it will superimpose over the rest of the stuff below.  Working on it!

No problem Timmybunny! You’ll want the fake fur that is like sheepskin.  You can get it at fabric stores and some craft stores by the yard.  Some may even have scraps in their "scrap" bin too. Berber fur works great too.  Ouchy with the ointment, I’m glad you made at rip to get the other without the "plus."  Is the area where the sore is red or swolen? You can also use A & D ointment as well.