Sore Hocks remedy?

[Lanabun]

  A few days ago my bunny was sitting and we noticed a spot of blood on the cushion. When I investigated it turns out she has sore hocks. Two red blisters on both feet (photo attached). It’s on both feet and I’m actually appalled as to how I’ve let this happen. On the left foot you can’t see it because it’s covered by the fur, I guess as one doesn’t actively go touching and parting the fur on their rabbits foot it’s probably been there for a while. I am so careful and treat her like a baby, but thinking back, it’s the grate in her litter tray..for the last few weeks I didn’t have bedding inside the tray as there was an issue on the suppliers end. I wasn’t too worried as I thought the grate was not hard but clearly it was if she’s developed sores 🙁

Her nails are also not too long, they’re not curled downwards either so it has to be the grate. Though the rest of the room also has a regular marble floor..so I’m not sure if it’s a combination of everything or just the grate..

I spoke to her vet and sent him the photos too he said it’s not so bad you’ve caught it in time and apply antibiotic ointment. Today was day 1 of the Neosporin ointment. He said there’s no need to bandage her feet up as that would stress her out more. Even applying the ointment was very stressful for us as she simply refuses to be picked up.

I want to know if there are any other remedies that I should be doing to help the sores heal? Any advice would be appreciated!

[DanaNM]

I can’t really see anything in the photos. If the hock is actively bleeding then I think it needs to be physically inspected by the vet…. is your vet rabbit savvy?

Making the environment as soft and cushioned as possible is important. I would add memory foam (bath mats work well) to her main areas, and soft blankets on the flooring anywhere she exercises.

There are hock booties on etsy that some members have had good success with. If you collect her fur when you groom her you can also use that to pad the booties and make them more cushioned.

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[Bam]

The sore on the right foot looks as it is  actively bleeding. Does your bun leave the sore alone when you’ve put on the antibiotic cream? If she licks the cream off it won’t have the intended effect.

I’ve used a wound-healing cream called Zalve with great results, but Idk if it’s available in the USA. It can be used on open sores and infected sores.

Manuka honey is also very good for wounds, but sine its honey it tastes like honey and your bun might be inclined to eat it.

I agree with Dana that a vet should have a proper look at this, since at least one of the hocks looks like it’s bleeding.

 

[Lanabun]

Yeah it’s not actively bleeding at the moment but it was a few bleeding a few days back. That’s how we discovered it as the cushion she was on had drops of blood. My rabbit savvy vet is only available to me on the phone as he’s currently abroad. He said it’s stage 1 and not bad. My bun didn’t lick the antibiotic ointment but when she hopped off it obviously rubbed off on the floor. My vet said don’t bandage it up though so not sure how else I can make sure the medicine stays put

[Bam]

If your vet said not to bandsge it its best to go with their advice. Rabbits can really hate bandages.

If you can make her sit still for like 10 minutes after you’ve applied the cream it would have had some time to work. Also obv keep her area as clean as possible – launder mats that fits in the machine, put down clesn bedsheets or clean fleece on carpet that cant be washed etc. Obv keep a close eye for signs of infection -excessive sweeling, seepage, foul smell -but you’re already doing that.

[Lanabun]

Yeah he said don’t stress her out otherwise it’ll make things worse.

i do have another question. Of course the vet is the best person to know, but I’d still like to get another opinion. My bunny is due to have her spay surgery next month. Hopefully by then her sore hocks will heal. If not then I’ll delay the surgery. But regarding the blood work before the surgery, can I get it done on the day of the surgery? It’s just that the vet is 45 minutes drive away, and instead of taking my bunny twice, would it be fine if she has a blood test on the same day of the surgery or does that sound like she’d be losing blood unnecessarily and getting weak before the procedure?

[Bam]

The amount of blood drawn for normal bloodtests is tiny, so that wouldn’t be a problem. But it depends on your vet whether they want to do the bloodtests the same day or not. It depends on their routines and what lab equipment they have. You could call them and ask and explain the situation – 45 min is a rather long drive for a rabbit.

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