I can see the nightmare coming….

[MimzMum]

Unbelievably, Fiver’s nails are all gone way long already. With my poor eyesight, rotten bunny wrangling skills (the burrito is a study in suicide) and some sore hock that is going to get serious if I don’t do something soon…I gotta man up and get those nails clipped tonight.

My concern is, I use Neosporin ointment (plain) to put on his heels, which he either won’t let me touch or if I get the medicine on, he takes off at top speed and most of it winds up on the blankets instead. Is there still enough getting into the skin to help heal the sores?

[bunnytowne]

Probably so.   You may feel better about it if you can rub it in some. As  he does the running in place routine while you hold him.

[Scarlet_Rose]

I spend some time just rubbing it in and then let Daffodil go and it really helps. The only thing about using the Neo is that it will soften and make the skin un-toughen. I use it only when the skin is broken otherwise I use calendula cream which seems to work quite well. Another thing that I have been meaning to report on regarding sore hocks is that natural slate tile is apparently soft enough and gives well enough that it will not aggrivate sore hocks. It is expensive, but naturally my bunnies are worth it and it works out better than the smooth, hard granite tile and carpet.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Do you trance Mimz? Have you tried it? Seriously its so amazing, I can do any rabbit even our shelter rabbits, even the ferral rabbit we caught one handed because of trancing…it makes nail clipping sooo easy!!!

[MimzMum]

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone! No K&K, I am lousy at trancing. The first step is getting them on their backs and none of my bunnies put up with that. Fearful of breaking those fragile bones, I just don’t insist when there’s a struggle, I let them go so they don’t hurt themselves. I can hold a bun in the football position (all but Fiver) and get things done that way, but otherwise I am crummy at it.

Rose, Fiver’s heels look like they are just about to break open. I am trying to nip it in the bud. They are almost red in color. The hair is completely worn away in these two spots. I have never heard of calendula cream, is it an organics aisle thing? His poor nails look even longer today, how fast do these thigns grow anyway?? 0_o
We have linoleum floors that I put BB.com straw mats on for traction, but for the most part he is in his pen on plush bedding and one of those fake lamb’s wool cuddly cups. The roughest place for his feet is the litterbox, where there’s only Good Mews. I don’t understand how he’s hurting those feet.

BT, running in place? You mean you actually hold your bunnies off the floor are let them spin their wheels? I would be so scared to do that, because mine begin to twist if they aren’t wanting holding and I fear for their little backs.

I am still working on getting Fiver to let me hold him and then maybe I’ll have my daughter put the cream on or something, because I can’t even get him to the vet until next Friday unless they can squeeze me in before then between appointments. Also, he’s shedding bigtime right now and it’s coming off in patches all over, especially the bridge of his nose, where he’s all but scratched it all off with those talons of his. He needs a weight check too, he’s looking a little chunky to me.

Urgh…I’m afraid he’s going to snag a toe or something. I keep him on soft bedding, put towels down for his play areas, try to watch where he goes so he doesn’t get himself stuck…honestly, these claws of his are like hooks. I wish he’d just settle down already and realize I’m not going to hurt him.

The only other impediment is my lousy near sight. Even with glasses I can hardly see the quick. So I guess my nervousness translates to him…poor thing.

[Scarlet_Rose]

Hey Mimz, yes the calendula cream is an organics aisle thing.  I’m glad you are putting the Neo on them, it is such a struggle sometimes with them when you know you’ve provided every sore hock friendly surface you can and they still get that way.  Something I do want to ask is, do they get wet from urine?  That will exacerbate it too, I’ve changed litters (to Care Fresh because it is softer) and started using more hay over the top of the litter.  Is Fiver overweight at all or thumping a lot?  It sounds like the fur is thin by genetics, just like Daffodil is and there is litte one can do.  Another suggestion is to line the floor with straw inside the cage but I know my two will convert that into one giant potty box, which I am not fond of.  Another thought is, and I haven’t tried this is to put wet teabags on the hocks when they are not broken open.  Apparently it alleviates the pain and helps to toughen the skin, but I am not sure how valid those claims are as I have never tried it.

Here is some reading you’ve probably already done:

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=18&cat=1800&articleid=3066

http://www.rabbit.org/journal/3-2/foot-problems.html

 

[MimzMum]

lolz…Any particular kind of tea, Rose? Earl Grey, perhaps? ^_^ I have heard the tea bags will reduce inflammation, but not sure what it would do with his footies. Although we have snow now and it IS VERY dry in the house, so that may be part of it.

I can’t put hay in the litterbox. He becomes VERY irate and then proceeds to remove each strand, one at a time, with his teeth and gives me a look as if to say, “Seriously Mum, don’t you know this is NOT the place for food??” It’s hilarious, actually.

I will try emptying the box a little more often, see if that helps. Thanks. I have tried Carefresh in there also, he really doesn’t approve, but we’ll give it another shot.

I was thinking his weight may also have a hand in the hock problem. If he’s heavier, and the nails are too long, the extra weight could be enough to wear those heels. Funny, I don’t give him many treats, if at all. He’s probably got the best diet of the three. Could he be getting fat from timothy hay? He empties his basket twice a day. Or are they all due to put on weight because of the cold? ~_~

[Scarlet_Rose]

LOL Mimz, you always manage to put a smile on my face. Well, personally I prefer oolong or green tea. I haven’t tried this yet but I just may.

You know when bunnies get older, just like us humans they do put on a little weight and the weather could have the long-buried instinct to fatten up kick in as well. How much does he exercise?

[MimzMum]

Hi Rose, sorry, been offline for a few days…busy busy.

He actually does very well in the exercise department. Much more active than my other two. A few hours each day. And he makes the most of them, helicopter spins, binkies, boings, speedy zooms, you name it, he does it. Then he plops down all out of breath and puffs for a bit, washes a few spots, eats a little, then off he goes again. He’s quite the character. Binkies on cue too. All I have to do is make this high-pitched “Wheee!” noise and he’s gone in a flash. ^_^ When he’s all done he’ll look at me kinds of sideways and give me this little lopsided grin. What a character!

Yeah, I would guess he’d get a little larger as he ages, but he’s only about a year or so old. And I worry about the weight on his heels.

Anyway, we’ll see what the doc says on Thursday, if not sooner. ^_^

[MooBunnay]

What color are his heels right now? I have a bunny with sore hocks, and her heels can get pretty pink, and she still does OK without the neosporin. It sounds like Fiver isn’t in too much heel pain right now if he is able to run around and binky and such, but it is a good idea to get his nails trimmed as soon as you have the chance. I’ve probably already asked this, but is there a rabbit rescue nearby? Usually they can do nail trims for a small donation – I know that I have to bring Henri to our local rabbit rescue to get his nails done – he knows me too well and will fight until I put him down!

[MimzMum]

Oh, I only WISH we had a rescue! Not only for nail trims and such, but just for all the poor bunnies who need homes here! I was in PETCO again yesterday (Oxbow never answered my email) and there are STILL five bunnies there, some of which have been there all summer! And they got MORE! (After giving me the big lie that they don’t ship them in/sell them past September/October.)

If I knew any folks here who had savvy with their various bunnies’ issues, I’d start a rescue of my own. >.< Sadly, most people here seem to think of them as disposable pets or food.

I will start to really worry about Fiver’s heels if he suddenly doesn’t want to bounce around in the evenings. So far, he’s still doing pretty well. The heels looked a little less red in the last few days so the Neosporin must be working.

[Moonlight_Wolf]

I am putting off cutting Ferns nails so I can get the vet to do it on my vet appointment on the 20th…. I think that Fern is oblivious to being tranced.

[MimzMum]

Poor Fiver. He didn’t do many binkies last night. His heels look okay, but I think the overall length of his nails are throwing off his gait.

Of course, I DID try to hold him the other day so I could get at them and he didn’t like it one bit. I think he’s punishing me. I feel like we’ve taken weeks of work on his trust of me and flushed it. X_X

Can’t wait for Thursday. Although my vet can be clueless about certain bunnyisms, (like cleaning anal glands) her staff is excellent when it comes to general care; like nails, coat, weighing and helping the bunnies feel comfortable in what they view as an uncomfortable place.

[skunklionshow]

I SUCK at bunny nail trims.  I can do any insane cat lickety split but not my rabbits.  My vet walked me through it during one of my well-bunny visits.  Turns out I was trimming like I do the cats….which I take off quite a bit.  She showed me that the buns should get just the tips.  She also showed me how easy it was w/ 2 people and the bunny on the table.  For the rear nails, you just flip the foot at the joint, which makes bunny feel pretty comfortable w/  I hope this made sense.

Also, have you tried Silverdine Creme?  I get it from my vet.  You can also do soaks w/….I forget what the med is that you add for soaks.  I’m sure someone else will know. 

[bunnytowne]

Mimsmums  no they are on a slippery surface like the toilet lid and run in place.  Gosh no I dont’ let them dangle and kick too scary. 

 

[MimzMum]

Oh wow, I still feel scared to let them kick, no matter what surface. In fact, a few weeks ago, I made the mistake of taking Fiver’s bedding out of his pen while he was in there and he began scrambling like crazy to get in the hay basket. I felt so bad.

Well, I’ll let you all know how it goes tomorrow. I think he’ll be okay, even last night his feet looked like the fur might even be growing back. But thsoe nails…ugh! Reminds me of the pictures of the old Chinese man who had fingernails he hadn’t trimmed in 6 years or something like that. 0_o I am glad to be getting it done, but we’ve got a weather forecast of 20 degrees F and clear and I am NOT looking forward to being on the road with a nervous bunny at that temp with all the black ice we have around here. ;_;

… Someone want to pass me a blue ticket to Hawaii? With room for three bunnies? ^_^

[MimzMum]

Okay, just an update…sorry guys, I got my days mixed up. Fiver’s appointment is FRIDAY the 17th and for some dumb reason I was a day ahead in my mind. So good thing I called the vet this morning and confirmed, or it would’ve been a disaster. >.<

Will be sure to let you know how it goes. ^_^

[MimzMum]

Okay, LAST post on this subject, I swear! ^_^

Fiver went in today and the doc came right out to see him, She felt it wasn’t true sore hock and that he was just callusing up a bit. Trimmed his nails and then put a small amount of this certain salve on them that is similar to liquid bandage. It is for hunting and sled dogs and, while it is no less ‘toxic’ than Neosporin, it certainly won’t do Fiver any real harm and, (she put a little on one of my fingers and it kept it moist and soft all day!), I may find myself squirting a little on my terribly broken cuticles for good measure! It’s really nice stuff! It’s called “Pad Guard”. Contains Benzoin, Tolu, Aloe, Styrax & Isoprpyl Alcohhol, 90% in a refined, protective base.

She also told me that if I can’t see well enough to trim their nails, that I can bring them in anytime and she’ll take care of it for $14.00. A bit higher than those of you in the 48, but a real bargain in my book! ^_^

Needless to say though, after a whole day of my husband’s driving, Fiver is SO happy to be home and in his own pen! ^_^ Poor little guy. He did let me hold him a couple of times today though, and I kept him in the xpen (alone) for the rest of the day so he could get some exercise. I took a bunch of hair off him the other day too, he’s really blown his coat. That’s what was making him look so fat. I took off three bunnies his size, easy.

He weighs 3 lbs. 15 oz., btw. Not too bad, I thought it would be higher than that.

He must’ve realized this was the big day too, because about 3:30 AM he began thumping. And in those pairs of thumps like Markus was talking about in his earthquake prediction thread. Woke me out of a sound sleep and I couldn’t figure out what was wrong, then thought of Markus’ thread and began wondering if we were going to have an earthquake. No shaking so far.

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