Sore hocks? (UPDATED)

[CinnabunMom]

Hi guys! I hate that the first time I’ve posted in a long time is for this, but I’m concerned

This morning I noticed that when Cinnabun moved from one spot, there was some blood in the place she was laying. Instantly concerned I picked her up and noticed that the bottom of her left back leg had some blood on it. I’m not sure but I think it’s a sore hock. I don’t understand how she got it. She has never been on any kind of wire cage; her pen is nothing but soft fluffy blankets. She hasnt been limping or acting like she’s hurt. In fact this morning she did quite a few bunny 500s. I washed off her foot with soap and water and am thinking about trying to get her a vet appt for tomorrow. Is it possible that it’s a sore hock? Do I need to be concerned? How did it happen? What can I do in the meantime? Did the hock rupture?

[Sarita]

Even rabbits living in good conditions can suffer from sore hocks or callouses…do you keep her back nails trimmed short? Sometimes if they are short the rabbit tends to put more weight on the heel of the foot which can cause a callous and sometimes those rupture.

I doubt it’s actual sore hocks unless you can see the bone or the area is swollen.

What I use (and it’s been awhile since I’ve needed to with a rabbit) is silvadene on the callous that I used to get from my vet just to keep the area soft.

[CinnabunMom]

I trim her nails once a month but always leave nail before I hit the quick. I’m not sure how short is too short. She spends quite a few hours on carpet: running, hopping, binkying, ect. Does carpet eventually wear away fur? I’m not going to take away her free time outside her Xpen but that’s the only thing I can think of as to why she suddenly has a foot problem. There was very little blood, it stopped as soon as it started. I’m going to keep washing the foot to help prevent infection. I read that New (Nu?) Skin is useful in these situations. Agree or disagree? I did a big clean on her liter box, even though it was cleaned just a few days ago, to help with moisture and any bacteria.
I called the vet and I have an appt tomorrow morning and in the meantime she’s perfectly fine, or so it appears. She ate all her food– both at breakfast and lunch, she’s been playing with all her toys, hopping around, and even jumping on and off boxes.

[Sarita]

Carpet definitely can but like you said, you don’t want to take away her free time – I think it’s just one of those catch 22 things with the carpet – my rabbit Bobby has little callouses on his feet too and he’s free roam as well.

I’ve never used Nu skin and I have to wonder just how helpful that would be…

[CinnabunMom]

Cinnabun really hates being put on her back so it’s hard to be a good look at it, but I *think* I see bone–there is one area that is hard and white and maybe feels like bone. I’m not sure. If it is a sore hock, what will the vet do? Is there anything else in the meantime I can do to help her out?

[CinnabunMom]

If I run to the drug store and get Neosporin is that going to be ok on her?

[Sarita]

Most likely the vet will prescribe an antibiotic if he/she believes there could be an infection. That is what I got when I had a rabbit who came from the shelter with sore hocks.

With an unruly rabbit it probably is best to have the vet look :~)

I think Neosporin w/out pain killer will be fine.

[CinnabunMom]

Thanks Sarita! Will update after tomorrow’s visit.
After two years together, I thought Cinnabun and I had been through it all. I just hope she isn’t in any pain and hiding it.

[LittlePuffyTail]

When Olivia had sore hocks the vet gave me a topical cream and a anti-bacterial scrub to wash the area 2x day.

Make sure to keep her area very, very clean because you don’t want any dirt or bacteria getting into the open wound.

[CinnabunMom]

Just got back from the vet! She said the sores weren’t too horrible, but it was a good move getting her in to see the vet ASAP. She said I was a good bunny mom (I think she could tell I was very upset that this had happened since I’ve kept her living area soft and comfy without any wiring, ect). She got some topical creme and a supply of bandages that I have to change everyday. Poor Cinnabun. She looks…ridiculous. It turns out there was another sore forming on another foot, so we wrapped both. I’m alone, so wrapping these everyday is going to be an adventure. Cinnabun HATES the bunny burrito. Anyone have any other suggestions for applying bandages? I’ll include the best pic I could get of her little foot all wrapped up in hot pink bandages. She’s resting now. I’ve done a major cleaning of her Xpen and her liter box. Now that it’s wrapped, is she ok to play? Or should I minimize the amount of free time? She’s going back to the vet in 10 days for another exam.

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