How severe is my rabbit’s hocks?

[Pawprints903]

I know my rabbit has sore hocks. Problem is, I don’t know how severe it is. I’m not old enough to have a job and my parents won’t take me seriously enough to bring him to the vet. I have done my research on how to treat him and I have already purchased bag balm and I’m looking to purchase Chlorhexidine Solution soon. There is still some fur covering it too so it is not completely bare.  Is his condition terrible or can he wait for a visit to the vet?I don’t know if this is useful to know but he is underweight and his nails are trimmed. Problem is the wire mesh on the bottom of his cage. I’m looking into building him a rabbit shed).

Sore Hock Photo

[Deleted User]

Your photo has not posted, so an administrator will have to come in and post that.

You should really try to get him off the wire cage floor. Can you find any old blankets to line the bottom of the cage?

[sarahthegemini]

I can’t see a picture but it is concerning that your parents won’t take something like sore hocks seriously. When will you be able to provide better housing? As you said, the cause is likely the wire bottom. Rabbits (any animal really) shouldn’t have to spend their life on a harsh wire floor…Also, he’s underweight why?

[Pawprints903]

How long will it take for the administrator to post it? Currently, he’s in the house in a smaller cage with free range of the house for a couple hours a day. I have put some towels in there and a foam puzzle mat with some bedding. When I did take him to the vet, they couldn’t find a reason. They said his gut is perfectly healthy and his teeth aren’t that long. He also has a good appetite so we honestly don’t know why. He has been gaining a little weight though and I have ordered him special pellets to help him gain weight.

[tobyluv]

A rabbit is very likely going to need vet care from time to time, just as any animal would, and your parents need to understand that. I don’t know if your rabbit has a litter box in his cage or any kind of solid flooring, but you do need to provide that in as much of the cage as possible right now. If he doesn’t have a litter box, then I assume he just poops and pees through the wire. Then, as soon as you can, look into getting better housing for him. For now, you could use fleece blankets, newspaper, cardboard, straw, etc. to cover the wire floor and protect his feet.

[jerseygirl]

Hi NinjaRabbit
Regarding the image, are you able to add it as an attachment to your post? The image icon above is giving an image address for AOL but one has to logged onto aol to see it, I suspect. Or it may be something to do with your privacy settings.

[Pawprints903]

Oh I see. I added a link to the image, unfortunately the only thing I could figure out where to post something was Deviantart

[joea64]

OK, that link works and I was able to see the picture when I clicked on it. Yeah, that’s pretty unpleasant-looking and I expect your bun doesn’t like the way it feels either. First thing to do, like the others say, is get that wire floor cushioned or covered over ASAP. Even cardboard or newspaper like @BunNoob<3 says will work as a "field expedient" until you can get something better.

[Deleted User]

We could help you more NinjaRabbit if you could answer our questions and give a bit more information.

Is he litter trained? If not, get a litter tray. Covering the wire is the most important factor here, but if he’s not litter trained, you’ll want to work on that so you aren’t having soiled towels constantly.

Is he an indoor or an outdoor bunny? You said he is currently inside. I hope he’s not in one of those god awful wire cages that meat rabbits get stuck in…

foam puzzle pieces are a good idea. You need to cover the entirety of the wire bottom. Also, it’s very important that your parents understand that your pet rabbit needs dramatically different care than they might understand. Any ailment in a rabbit should be taken seriously. They can become quite ill very quickly.

[Pawprints903]

He’s half and half. He tends to pee in the litter box and poop outside of it. I am currently working on fully litter training him, however.

He’s normally outside but if he’s ill or needs TLC we bring him inside. No. No. No. He’s in a Living World cage (which is still really small but it doesn’t have wire mesh at the bottom) but he get’s access of the whole house and is only pent up in there at night when no one is there to supervise him.

I know I made it sound like my parents don’t take me seriously but in reality it’s my dad. Whenever I stress the topic he always says that I worry too much. My mom is letting me purchase a few things like the mats and bag balm but I don’t think she really knows how serious this is.

I also have a small question. What is the best bedding to use? I’m currently using Eco bedding (the little springy paper strips) because I read that sore hocks need to be kept dry and that type of bedding absorbs from the bottom up so the animals are always on clean bedding but I’m afraid that it might irritate his feet as it’s not the softest bedding.

Thank you everyone for showing concern about my rabbit’s health 

[Deleted User]

I think that soft fleece blankets or something like that would be more beneficial than paper bedding. The thing is paper bedding is thin, and he already has sore hocks, so I think the best thing to do would be padding the cage as much as possible to make him more comfortable. If you can get him fully litter trained then you won’t even need to purchase bedding I just use an old comforter at the bottom of my buns cage (it’s not wire, but it’s just cold plastic so the comforter makes it more comfy) It’s good that he gets out during the day. If you can get him fully litter trained would your parents consider letting you have him free range? You would have to do some bunny-proofing but I think pet buns are best kept inside, in my opinion

[sarahthegemini]

You need something super padded and absorbant. Something like carefresh would probably work well, or thick blankets and puppy pee pads?

Also if your parents aren’t taking the issue seriously,  ask how they’d like it if they had a red raw blister on the base of their foot and they couldn’t wear socks to pad it out. That’s what your rabbit is currently experiencing 

[Pawprints903]

Thank you guys so much! I never considered using fleece or blankets to cover the whole floor. Only as a little mat.

I would love to have my rabbit free range but I don’t think my parents would like it. I’ve been thinking about having him free range in my room but I have carpet and I’ve read that carpet is too abrasive and it isn’t good for rabbits with sore hocks, is this true? I also agree that rabbits are better inside because of flystrike and the heat. 

I didn’t know sore hocks were basically blisters. That sounds terrible! Is there anything else I can do besides have fleece and towels? Whenever I try to apply the bag balm to his sore hocks he always freaks out and starts kicking. I watched a video on how to use the chlorhexidine solution with soaking a towel in it and then squeezing most of it out, then placing your rabbit in a confined area with them on the towel for like 20 mins. Will it still work if there is still fur covering the sore hocks?

[Vienna Blue in France]

Are both feet the same? The hock part is already a button shaped callus and it exists on all buns even under the fur. Even thick fur.
It depends if your bun’s are irritated or inflamed or not… I’ve recently touched my bunnies’ and she didnt jump, which i imagine she would have if they hurt her.
If so, it may OR may not be the wire that is causing any inflammation but it can’t be nice anyway.

[Pawprints903]

I have not checked the other foot but the oat looking thing is normal? I know that the whole foot I checked is red but I didn’t notice any bleeding but then again, why would he kick and squirm the moment I touch it? He allows me to touch the higher parts in his foot (which still look pretty bad) without a reaction 

[BunnyFriends]

Memory foam mats.

Bath mats or carried pads – they’re simply amazing. (And washable! For the litter mistakes…)

[Vienna Blue in France]

Most buns don’t like their tootises being touched…. whether its the equivalent of being tickled Ive no idea, but its not ncessarily because they are in pain. Just a reflex.

[Deleted User]

Posted By Vienna Blue in France on 8/18/2017 2:10 AM

Most buns don’t like their tootises being touched…. whether its the equivalent of being tickled Ive no idea, but its not ncessarily because they are in pain. Just a reflex.

My buns HATE me to touch their fluffer-thumpers!! If I do, it’s an automatic trip to the dog house for me… no pets or cuddles, I’m just getting feet flicks and rabbitude!

[sarahthegemini]

Ha! My Buttercup doesn’t mind me touching her feet

[Deleted User]

I suggest carefresh. Both of my buns love to lay in their litter box *sigh*, so I use carefresh to make sure they don’t get sore hocks.

[Deleted User]

Posted By Asriel and Bombur on 8/18/2017 9:39 AM

I suggest carefresh. Both of my buns love to lay in their litter box *sigh*, so I use carefresh to make sure they don’t get sore hocks.

That’s so silly!  I have heard that other’s buns do that too. Mine never do! Maybe it’s because I use a pellet litter though, so it’s probably just not comfortable to lay on!

[Pawprints903]

Thank you so much! 

[sarahthegemini]

Posted By BunNoob<3 on 8/18/2017 9:42 AM

Posted By Asriel and Bombur on 8/18/2017 9:39 AM

I suggest carefresh. Both of my buns love to lay in their litter box *sigh*, so I use carefresh to make sure they don’t get sore hocks.

That’s so silly!  I have heard that other’s buns do that too. Mine never do! Maybe it’s because I use a pellet litter though, so it’s probably just not comfortable to lay on!

I can confirm that my Buttercup was one of those bunnies that would lay and roll around in her litter tray  We don’t use carefresh anymore and wood pellets aren’t quite as cozy looking I guess 

[joea64]

Posted By BunNoob<3 on 8/18/2017 9:42 AM

Posted By Asriel and Bombur on 8/18/2017 9:39 AM

I suggest carefresh. Both of my buns love to lay in their litter box *sigh*, so I use carefresh to make sure they don’t get sore hocks.

That’s so silly!  I have heard that other’s buns do that too. Mine never do! Maybe it’s because I use a pellet litter though, so it’s probably just not comfortable to lay on!

In my admittedly somewhat limited experience, the majority of bunnies I’ve met do like to take their ease in their litterboxes. The first time I met Panda and Fernando last month, they were lying quite comfortably in a litterbox. I don’t remember what the substrate was but hay was the top layer. When I adopted them a couple of weeks ago, their foster mom didn’t bring a litterbox so they spent the whole session scampering around in their playpen. I’m going to be paying them a visit tomorrow morning before they move in Sunday, so if they’re in a litterbox I’ll take a look at whether they’re resting in it and if so what the substrate is. I bought Carefresh confetti (multicolor) since it was on sale, but may switch to a different one.

[Deleted User]

Both my bunnies have a sandbox that they flop and roll in, so maybe that satisfies their urge to roll around in something…

[sarahthegemini]

I can’t wait to move so I can give them a giant sand pit 

[Deleted User]

Posted By sarahthegemini on 8/18/2017 10:25 AM

I can’t wait to move so I can give them a giant sand pit!

It was the most rewarding $40 I have ever spent! It is absolutely adorable to watch how happy and excited they are and just endless flops and binkies!!

[sarahthegemini]

Posted By BunNoob<3 on 8/18/2017 10:27 AM

Posted By sarahthegemini on 8/18/2017 10:25 AM

I can’t wait to move so I can give them a giant sand pit!

It was the most rewarding $40 I have ever spent! It is absolutely adorable to watch how happy and excited they are and just endless flops and binkies!!

How big roughly is it? My house is tiiiny but I might be able to use a sand box if it isn’t huge. Maybe I could do it just a couple times per week and put it away the rest of the time? I can’t imagine my partner will be thrilled but….Rabbits 

[joea64]

Wait, literal sand?

[Deleted User]

Posted By sarahthegemini on 8/18/2017 10:34 AM

Posted By BunNoob<3 on 8/18/2017 10:27 AM

Posted By sarahthegemini on 8/18/2017 10:25 AM

I can’t wait to move so I can give them a giant sand pit!

It was the most rewarding $40 I have ever spent! It is absolutely adorable to watch how happy and excited they are and just endless flops and binkies!!

How big roughly is it? My house is tiiiny but I might be able to use a sand box if it isn’t huge. Maybe I could do it just a couple times per week and put it away the rest of the time? I can’t imagine my partner will be thrilled but….Rabbits 

hahahahahaha my husband was surprised when he opened the door and there was a sandbox  ….but BUNS  I actually don’t have a true sandbox, I just got this high sided thing that I found on clearance at petsmart. I’ve even seen people purchase those long Rubbermaid bins that come with a top and then slide it under the bed when it’s not in use! The one I have isn’t huge, but this is the only tile spot I have in my apartment….and I am not willing to set this up on top of carpet lmao

If you can see it in this small picture, I have some toys buried around in the sand and she goes on a treasure hunt and throws them out of the box when she finds them. It makes me squeee with joy to watch

[Deleted User]

Posted By joea64 on 8/18/2017 10:43 AM

Wait, literal sand?

Literal sand  She loves it!! I have videos of the excitement, but I don’t know how to get a video up here….

[sarahthegemini]

That looks awesome BunNoob  I’ve just thought tho, my monsters will probably mistake it for a giant toilet so maybe I could try soil instead (my thinking is – their wood pellets resembles sand when soiled but actual soil is different if that makes sense) I’ll have to put it on carpet so maybe I should get a mat for underneath 

[Deleted User]

Posted By sarahthegemini on 8/18/2017 11:09 AM

That looks awesome BunNoob  I’ve just thought tho, my monsters will probably mistake it for a giant toilet so maybe I could try soil instead (my thinking is – their wood pellets resembles sand when soiled but actual soil is different if that makes sense) I’ll have to put it on carpet so maybe I should get a mat for underneath 

LOL when I switch them out Ophelia always pees in his sandbox….which is just RUDE cause he doesn’t pee in hers! And then when I scoop out the pee sand and add more and he goes back in his room, he just poops in the sand  Silly buns…it’s for playing in!!

[Deleted User]

Jumping in here at the topic of sand pits, I’m so jealous of those who have them from their buns. My children have been banned from sand by my partner as he is sick of power washing the yard and he says it gets everywhere, so I doubt my buns would be allowed it☹️.Sarah have you thought about those shell shaped sand/pool trays you can get from Argos? They aren’t that big and you can buy two so one can be used as a lid when it’s not in use. The funky shape might mean they don’t think it’s a litter tray either. Also summer is coming to an end and they usually sell that stuff off cheap.

[sarahthegemini]

Posted By Eddyw111 on 8/18/2017 1:20 PM

Jumping in here at the topic of sand pits, I’m so jealous of those who have them from their buns. My children have been banned from sand by my partner as he is sick of power washing the yard and he says it gets everywhere, so I doubt my buns would be allowed it☹️.Sarah have you thought about those shell shaped sand/pool trays you can get from Argos? They aren’t that big and you can buy two so one can be used as a lid when it’s not in use. The funky shape might mean they don’t think it’s a litter tray either. Also summer is coming to an end and they usually sell that stuff off cheap.

Those shell shaped ones are actually the ones I was thinking of originally! But they’d never in my living room I would love to get one of those when/if we ever move to a bigger place though.

[Author]

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