Paw sore? – Update 11/4

[FluffyBunny]

When I was clipping nails tonight, I noticed something strange…The back of Mr. Bunny’s right back paw has a little (1/2 inch, maybe) round patch where there’s no fur. It definitlely didn’t look like it was from shedding; when he sheds, there’s always fresh fur coming in. There’s no fur on that part of his foot at all. The reason I’m concerned, though, is because the skin there is extremely red and dry. Parts of it were flaky and completely white from dry skin. There was also a small, partially-healed looking scab in the middle. His healthy skin color is light pink. The sore spot is a probably a new development; he didn’t have it when I clipped nails 3 weeks ago. It did seem a bit delicate; once I started touching it a lot, he squirmed away fast.

Do you think I should be concerned? Will it heal by itself or should I do something about it? I should probably note that the flooring in his room is rough concrete. He’s never had any problems because of that, though.

[RabbitPam]

Usually it’s the Rex breeds that have very sensitive feet, but Mr. Bunny is a REW, right? In that case, I think there may be a problem if he developed a sore area on normally less sensitive feet. Yes, it may be the concrete floor has rubbed continually just enough to produce this, the way a pair of shoes may rub one toe. I think you should call your vet on Monday and describe it. Ask if there is something you can do at home, or if she needs to see him, then bring him in. The problem could become an open sore and infected if it continues to worsen.

You may need to consider an different flooring. I don’t know how big his room is. An inexpensive tile that comes in packages like those sold at Home Depot or Lowes might help to lay down over the concrete. But maybe something simple like coroplast (I know an ebay website that sells them in packs of 12) in one area would do it. Also, you can get a very low pile rug remnant to lay down as well. NIC cubes around it would keep him in and off the concrete.
Just some suggestions to change it if he is sensitive to the current floor.

[Sarita]

My NZ has this same problem. Make sure you trim his back feet well so the feet lie flat and he doesn’t roll on the back areas. Sore hocks are an actual inflammation.

I would try some creams to soften it and watch it closely. And for the flooring – that’s probably part of the problem. Rough on rabbits delicate feet.

[FluffyBunny]

EDIT: And yes, RP, he’s a mix-breed REW. Definitely not a rex.

Okay…I found another sore on the other back foot. D:

It’s in the exact same place, and is the same size, as the one on the back right foot. It really looks just the same; the skin is mostly a darkish red color with a blotch of white skin in the middle, surrounding a small scab. The only differences are that 1. The scab looks fresher on the second sore and 2. There’s still a little fur on the second sore. (The right sore has no fur on it whatsoever.)

The thing is…I’m about 90% sure there wasn’t a sore there yesterday. If there was one, it was minor enough that I didn’t take notice of it. I also noticed that some of his front toes are a bit red and have bunion-like bits of dry skin hanging off them.

His original sore seems a whole lot more sensitive now too. Yesterday, I managed to fool with the sore a whole lot before he woke up from his trance. Today, every time I touched it, he literally jumped and made a little gasping noise. Thoughts?

[RabbitPam]

I’m glad tomorrow is Monday. Call your vet asap and take him in tomorrow.
{{{{feel better, Mr. Bunny}}}}}}}}}

[Sarita]

Yes, when in doubt, call the vet.

[MooBunnay]

Poor guy – my bunny Juli has sore hocks like that on her feet as well. She lives on carpeting and fleece blankets now to try to relieve some of the pain in her feet, but they have not every gone away. Usually when I see this it is on rescue bunnies that have lived on wire. I think it is a good idea to take your bun to the vet, hopefully they can give you something to help soothe the sores. I was at Wal-mart today and noticed they have fleece blankets for $4 each, so that would be a nice thing to put over the rough concrete to help your bunny’s feet.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Keep us posted!!

For rabbits prone to sore hocks-or bare hocks, or sensitive hocks-it’s very important to give super soft areas for them and as Sarita said, keep those nails short Rupert was getting them again (our bunny room is super padded and had done wonders, they were gone) as he’s been sitting in the window box way too much and it was just carpeted shelving. So I packed it full of towels and put a grass matt on top-he thinks thats great and it’s already starting to go away!

[FluffyBunny]

I just wrote a gigantic post and then refreshed the page and lost all of it.

But in a nutshell, I’ve been waiting to see if it changes. We put down a big rug in the bunny room, and it doesn’t seem to be helping much. The sores are much much more sensitive, the second one looks worse, and now they’re extending towards the toes. Also, it looks like half of the original scab came off and is fresh again; the rest seems to be a dark red/blackish color.

Mr. Bunny’s sores look like this; http://www.ontariorabbit.ca/images/sore-hocks.jpg
Except on his, the skin is redder, there’s more dead/dry skin, there’s scabs, and it extends towards the toes more.
I’m calling the vet (and probably taking him in) tomorrow. He doesn’t seem to notice the scabs; he’s still doing giant binkies, pooping and eating like a champion, and is very affectionate and playful as always. But I know how well bunnies hide pain, and honestly, if I were him I think I’d totally be squeaking nonstop and hiding in my cage.
Please send some foot vibes to him.

[Sarita]

I think I would get him to a vet – he made need some antibiotics too. Poor Mr. Bunny – sending feel better foot vibes.

[FluffyBunny]

We called the vet a little while ago. They said that they definitely wanted to take a look at the foot in person. We have an appointment at 2:20 PM today. Please send Mr. Bunny some feetie vibes…thanks.

[Sarita]

Please let us know what the vet says. Poor Mr. B.

[FluffyBunny]

I think his feet are finally getting to the rest of him. He seems a bit lethargic, is avoiding me, and is treating his favorite activity – eating – as if it’s a chore. There’s no fresh poop since yesterday evening, either.

[Sarita]

Make sure you let the vet know all this – he may need pain meds and gut motility drugs and such to get his gut moving again. It’s good you are getting a physical exam – always best in these situations.

Let us know what the vet says.

Vibes to Mr Bunny.

[FluffyBunny]

The last hour has been really really crazy…

He was already a little scared before I picked him up to take a look at his feet, which freaked him out a bit more. He went to the room’s corner and didn’t seem to want to go anywhere, although he showed interest in pellets. I brought his pellet dish over to him…and on the way, tripped and fell on a box a few feet away from him…That put him over the top. He completely freaked and started thumping, jumping and running laps around the room…within 4 or 5 seconds he had done 3 laps around his 12×17 ft room. I don’t see how that could’ve helped his feet at all, and now I’m afraid he hurt something else while running – seriously, he ran so fast…you couldn’t imagine. D:

[jerseygirl]

(((((Mr Bunny))))) Poor fella. Really glad the vet visit is soon. Maybe he might need pain meds too?

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

{{Mr. bunny feet vibes}}

Keep us posted!!

Big noises will scare any bunny-don’t feel bad I hope it’s nothing!! Let us know how it goes at the vet

[Sarita]

How’s Mr. B? I’ve been thinking about him.

[FluffyBunny]

I’m sorry I haven’t updated, I’ve been busy all day every day.

The vet didn’t prescribe anything; He said I caught the sore hocks really early. I’ve been putting on a balm I bought from the store that he suggested though, it’s Sargent’s Veterinary balm. His feet are already looking healthier. The day after he went to the vet, though, he started getting giant sore bald spots on his head…I’m thinking he caught something there, but that deserves its own thread…I’ll post about it when I’m not hurrying. >.<

[LittlePuffyTail]

Glad to hear you caught Mr. Bunny’s foot sores early. I was in a similar situation recently with my REW lop, Bindi Loo. I caught his pretty early too and they are a lot better now but I make sure to check his feet several times a week, because, as you’ve noticed, the foot sores can get painful and problematic very quickly.

I covered half of Bindi’s cage with a big fleece blanket which really seems to help. He actually got my nice, white fleece throw that was on my couch…not so nice and white anymore…

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