When is a sore hock an emergency?

[rexrabbit2023]

So I caught my rabbit limping about three weeks ago. I took her to the emergency vet and they did x rays and checked her out. The X-rays determined that it was spondylitis. At the time I pointed out her hock, it had a small black speck on it. But they didn’t seem to have much of a problem with it. They did give me antibiotics and some pain medication and told me it would be a few weeks till she is better. I have been putting on her foot cream occasionally too as a precaution. Three weeks later she is still limping a bit but more active, and I figured this was normal with recovery. However when I picked her up today to put on her cream, I noticed a small piece of skin had flaked off and was on her fur. I looked at her hock further and noticed that the black spot was still there, and the area around it is quite red. No open sores or bleeding. It does look like the skin around the black spot is starting to flake off around it though.. similar to when a pimple is healing on a human.  The regular exotic vet in my area is closed till Tuesday.. and I’m not sure I could get an appointment soon there anyway. How worried should I be about her foot? Does this constitute an emergency vet visit? She did finish her antibiotics a week and a half ago and I have been putting on her foot cream.

[Bam]

I dont think you can do much atm except make sure her area is clean and dry and (reasonably) soft. A sore hock is an emergency when there is an actual open sore. Since it’s a New Year’s Eve today its probably difficult to get to see an ER vet.

If she has spondylosis she will probably need to be on a low dose of metacam always.

[rexrabbit2023]

Thank you for responding. It isn’t open, it seems to be scabbed over like it was prior to antibiotics. But she is still favouring it which has me worried. I won’t be able to get her into her regular vet for at least another week- do you know if rabbits can wait that long with sore hocks?

 

[Bam]

I would call the vet tomorrow (Tuesday) and ask for advice. Maybe they can give you a prescription for more antibiotics without an appointment, since the problem is pretty much the same as it was before.

 

[LBJ10]

When you say black spot, do you mean there is a scab? What else have you done to try to help it heal? Flooring? Boot? Based on your description, I don’t think this is something that can’t wait until Tuesday. It would probably be better if your regular vet could look at it anyway since emergency vets aren’t always rabbit savvy and they may not be willing to do much anyway. If she has antibiotic and pain management in the meantime, then I think you will be OK. Keep in mind though that we are not vets and we cannot give medical advice.

[rexrabbit2023]

The scab came off today and there was a small open wound, so I took her into emerge just in case as her regular vet can’t see her for over a week as they are so backed up. I’ve adjusted her flooring and added additional sheets on the floor throughout our place. I have been cleaning it with a distilled water salt solution and then applying the cream twice a day.  I have thought about boots previously but I think that would cause her more stress and she doesn’t tolerate things being on her. Thank you everyone for your responses!

[DanaNM]

Sometimes creams can make things worse as they flatten the fur that’s remaining. I would focus on keeping her environment clean, dry, and as soft and cushioned as possible. Memory foam mattress toppers and bath mats are great for sore hocks.

. . . 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.  

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