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Specific Rex Issues - how likely?

nessar

Warren Veteran
I know rexes are prone to sore hocks, and dental problems. Are they more likely to have malcolusions (sp?) or do their teeth grow faster or something? And how likely are both? Would a rex on carpet be a no-no?

Also, any other issues I've missed?
 
They are prone to sore hocks and heart problems. I didn't know that they were prone to dental problems, but that may be an issue.

My mini rexes, Milly has had dental problems and Molly has sore hocks. Molly's sore hocks started because she was put on concrete and carpet (I wasn't that knowledgeable then about rexes and sore hocks). I personally wouldn't put a rex on concrete or carpet, however some do without any problems. Milly hasn't got sore hocks but she was on the same flooring and she's a sister of Molly, so it doesn't happen to every rex. I would always bed a rex on hay.

They are also prone to GI stasis problems. Molly has had mild stasis 3 times in her life so far, and Milly was in GI stasis when she had dental problems.

They are fairly unhealthy rabbits, and I personally wouldn't have another rex. I'd prefer to have a dutch or cross breed who are generally healthier.
 
I would've thought carpet would be better for sore hocks?

You would think so, but people have found that carpet is quite abrasive.

I didn't know about dental problems but sore hocks are such a common issue with rexes that, if I owned a rex, I would provide flooring to help prevent the problem arising, rather than waiting and then having to treat after it's occured.

People have used things such as a very thick layer of hay, foam flooring, duvets etc - anything to help cushion the feet while they're resting as I think that's when the majority of the problems arise.
 
bump.

Is lino good for rexes?

And does the 'special' flooring have to be everywhere they go or just their pen and where they spend most of their time?

I guess what I'm asking is are they suitable as house rabbits?
 
I don't think rexes are particularly prone to dental problems. Their jaws are are a more natural shape, compared to lops which have quite oddly shaped heads which makes them more prone to dental problems.
 
My mini rex is indoors. When he's in his cage he has a layer of hay over newspaper. When all my boys are bonded he'll have complete free range and I'm a bit afraid of sore hocks.. he'll be on laminate flooring and lino but will have blankets/duvets down on the floor for him to lay on, hay boxes, and other comfy things to lay on.

I love my mini rex and would love another one day but I'm so afraid of the sore hock/heart probs :(
 
Some Rex Breeders aim for a more 'cobby' face and this can result in Dental problems

As already mentioned Ulcerative Pododermatitis (sore hocks) is another condition that some Rexes are likely to develop, especially if the individual Rex already has furloss by 1 year of age.

Cardiac Disease does appear to be a condition seen in Rexes more frequently than in some other breeds. Again I believe this is largely down to poor breeding.

Orange and Cinnamon Rexes can have very poor eyesight. This may result in behavioural problems if it goes undiagnosed and appropriate action is not taken when handling or socialising the Rabbit.

As Rexes are usually exceptionally greedy Rabbits GI tract issues can very quickly result if they are overfed. Most Rexes will keep eating til they burst given half a chance !
 
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:wave: I've got a rex who for the first 2-3 years of his life was fed straw as bedding more and mix and has good teeth although he now thoroughly enjoys his hay and is makinig up for lost time :lol:, I think he thought he'd died and gone to heaven the night I got him, cleaned him out and filled his hutch with hay - also I don't think sore hocks is caused by the surface being abrasive as such although I suppose friction can play a part, your aiming to make the paw sit as it would on grass and actually when I watch Jingle my rex and his paw posture on grass the best surface that is similar is a very thick layer of hay or straw then hay on top at least 2-3 inches thick. Ideally access to a grassed area for the majority of time would be ideal for them I think :)
 
Oberon is a mini rex and apart from little bald patches on his hocks he is in brilliant health. Has a gut of iron, good teeth, ears etc whereas Pie has chronic gut problems and is mostly deaf.
 
Just to throw in some hope, not all rexes get sore hocks, I've had my rescue beatrice for 3 years now and she has not had any health problems at all. She is the healthiest rabbit i have had. Certainly be aware that problems may arise but they don't all get extra health problems.:)
 
Just to throw in some hope, not all rexes get sore hocks, I've had my rescue beatrice for 3 years now and she has not had any health problems at all. She is the healthiest rabbit i have had. Certainly be aware that problems may arise but they don't all get extra health problems.:)

Yeah, Jack is around 2 1/2 and he's super healthy :D

No idea about his heart though...would tests would he need to diagnosis heart problems? Xray? Or would I be seeing symptoms of heart problems?
 
Yeah, Jack is around 2 1/2 and he's super healthy :D

No idea about his heart though...would tests would he need to diagnosis heart problems? Xray? Or would I be seeing symptoms of heart problems?

Our heart symptoms started off at the same time as a stasis episode, it's thought that the stress from the heart condition caused the stasis. She had no symptoms before the stasis, so although the condition was probably there the whole time (genetics) it either got worse rapidly or something set it off.

Here's a link of Oidhche-Velvet struggling to breathe, the major symptom, probably because of the back-up pressure on her lungs due to the heart.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uIP_Zff0Us
We still don't have an 'official' diagnosis as such as we need to put Oidhche under GA to gave an x-ray, but the fact that she has responded to the heart medication gives a good indication that it is her heart. Apparently similar4 symptoms can be cause by pneumonia or a thymoma though.
 
:wave: I've got a rex who for the first 2-3 years of his life was fed straw as bedding more and mix and has good teeth although he now thoroughly enjoys his hay and is makinig up for lost time :lol:, I think he thought he'd died and gone to heaven the night I got him, cleaned him out and filled his hutch with hay - also I don't think sore hocks is caused by the surface being abrasive as such although I suppose friction can play a part, your aiming to make the paw sit as it would on grass and actually when I watch Jingle my rex and his paw posture on grass the best surface that is similar is a very thick layer of hay or straw then hay on top at least 2-3 inches thick. Ideally access to a grassed area for the majority of time would be ideal for them I think :)

I met your rexes briefly when they were boarding at Windwhistle when I went to get my new girly :wave: they are gorgeous.

Hmmm thank you everyone, I guess they are OKAY as housebuns but are better off outdoors on grass then :? Hmmm dont think the landlord would be impressed by the living room having a nice floor of hay :lol:

Its a shame they have such issues, they are such elegant bunnies!

This is a random thought and probably a weird question and impractical, but has anyone got little socks/booties made for their rexes? Just thinking if they were introduced to it young they wouldnt mind and would provide some cushioning...
 
I met your rexes briefly when they were boarding at Windwhistle when I went to get my new girly :wave: they are gorgeous.

Hmmm thank you everyone, I guess they are OKAY as housebuns but are better off outdoors on grass then :? Hmmm dont think the landlord would be impressed by the living room having a nice floor of hay :lol:

Its a shame they have such issues, they are such elegant bunnies!

This is a random thought and probably a weird question and impractical, but has anyone got little socks/booties made for their rexes? Just thinking if they were introduced to it young they wouldnt mind and would provide some cushioning...

:wave::lol: I think your getting me mixed up with Vikkivet - I don't mind that's quite a compliment - not sure she'll be overyjoyed though :lol: I agree her Rexes are lovely though, I only have one Jingle and he is gorgeous aswell though - I do think they are more suited to outside just from my experience of the layer of hay - your right I don't think your landlord would be impressed, I wonder whether something like seagrass matting or natural carpet would be good though and very trendy:)
 
:wave::lol: I think your getting me mixed up with Vikkivet - I don't mind that's quite a compliment - not sure she'll be overyjoyed though :lol: I agree her Rexes are lovely though, I only have one Jingle and he is gorgeous aswell though - I do think they are more suited to outside just from my experience of the layer of hay - your right I don't think your landlord would be impressed, I wonder whether something like seagrass matting or natural carpet would be good though and very trendy:)

oops :oops: I just saw Vicki and my mind went with it :oops: sorry!

hmmm I think I'm just gonna have to avoid the rexy babies I want and advise my friend to keep them outside if he gets them.... they are a very impractical breed!
 
oops :oops: I just saw Vicki and my mind went with it :oops: sorry!

hmmm I think I'm just gonna have to avoid the rexy babies I want and advise my friend to keep them outside if he gets them.... they are a very impractical breed!

Do you think? I don't think so, I think most of the breeds have something potentially to keep an eye on, not all rexes get problems, it's good your considering it all really well first though :)
 
Some Rex Breeders aim for a more 'cobby' face and this can result in Dental problems

As already mentioned Ulcerative Pododermatitis (sore hocks) is another condition that some Rexes are likely to develop, especially if the individual Rex already has furloss by 1 year of age.

Cardiac Disease does appear to be a condition seen in Rexes more frequently than in some other breeds. Again I believe this is largely down to poor breeding.

Orange and Cinnamon Rexes can have very poor eyesight. This may result in behavioural problems if it goes undiagnosed and appropriate action is not taken when handling or socialising the Rabbit.

As Rexes are usually exceptionally greedy Rabbits GI tract issues can very quickly result if they are overfed. Most Rexes will keep eating til they burst given half a chance !


Whats a cobby face? Like a flatter one?

One of the babies is like a two-tone brown, greyish around neck/feet/eyes etc blending into dark gingery colour on his back. I cant find any good pics of 'cinnamon' buns, does this sound like it?
 
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