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Sore hocks aren't improving

X

xrrebeccaax

New Kit
Hello

My two house rabbits are suffering with sore hocks. I discovered them about two weeks ago and took them to the vets straight away. The vet gave me some Flamazine and recommended I get memory foam dog beds to put on the floor to help cushion their feet. This sounded a little impractical as they have an entire room to themselves and they would need a lot of dog beds! So I did some research and ordered some vet bed. Now half the room is covered in vet bed, and the other half in a duvet. I have also cushioned out all their hideaouts with blankets and pillows.

However, despite applying the cream daily and replacing the rugs with softer materials, their feet do not look any better :( I have also cut their nails incase that could have been contributing and I have always cleaned their litter tray out regularly. They are healthy other than the sore hocks.

I'm really at a loss at what could be causing it and what I can do to make it better.

Any help or advice would be really appreciated. Please let me know if it sounds as though I am doing anything wrong.

Thanks
 
xrrebeccaax said:
Hello

My two house rabbits are suffering with sore hocks. I discovered them about two weeks ago and took them to the vets straight away. The vet gave me some Flamazine and recommended I get memory foam dog beds to put on the floor to help cushion their feet. This sounded a little impractical as they have an entire room to themselves and they would need a lot of dog beds! So I did some research and ordered some vet bed. Now half the room is covered in vet bed, and the other half in a duvet. I have also cushioned out all their hideaouts with blankets and pillows.

However, despite applying the cream daily and replacing the rugs with softer materials, their feet do not look any better :( I have also cut their nails incase that could have been contributing and I have always cleaned their litter tray out regularly. They are healthy other than the sore hocks.

I'm really at a loss at what could be causing it and what I can do to make it better.

Any help or advice would be really appreciated. Please let me know if it sounds as though I am doing anything wrong.

Thanks
Click to expand...


Hi Rebecca

I'm really sorry to hear about your rabbits. Sore hocks occur in so many rabbits, and carpets can be particularly harsh on the delicate skin of the foot.

If the hocks aren't bad, it could well be that they will just take a little time to get better. Regards flooring, covering the area with a cotton sheet or duvet cover seems to work best. Vet bed, although very soft, can sometimes exacerbate the problem. Perhaps put the vet bed inside old duvet covers to make a soft and springy surface?

Are the rabbits overweight at all? Has the vet examined them for any signs of spinal or mobility issues?

There may be something in one of these links to help you, though it sounds like you've done a lot of research yourself already :)


http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00dis/Miscellaneous/Ulcerative_pododermatitis_rabbits.htm


***may have graphic images in these links***


http://www.sawneeanimalclinic.com/downloads/sore_hocks_pododermatitis_in_rabbits.pdf


http://www.disabledrabbits.com/sore-hocks.html


http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Skin_diseases/Mechanical/Pod/Podo.htm

If the Flamazine doesn't work, and you really feel you need to apply a cream, you could try this one which might help if the problem shows signs of being bacterial or fungal:

http://www.vetuk.co.uk/veterinary-s.../healx-soother-plus-topical-cream-30ml-p-7773

Sometimes it's not necessary to apply a cream, but to allow the hair to grow naturally - your vet may have an opinion on this :)
 
What litter are you using? I found some can contribute to my rabbits as it can be 'gravely', wood litter pellets were a touch too hard for them. Tumblefresh bedding is great as really soft, one of my vets recommends it for sore hocks; I use compressed paper stuff called back to nature with a layer of hay over it now. If they got sore hocks again I would use tumblefresh while they were healing.
 
xrrebeccaax said:
Hello

My two house rabbits are suffering with sore hocks. I discovered them about two weeks ago and took them to the vets straight away. The vet gave me some Flamazine and recommended I get memory foam dog beds to put on the floor to help cushion their feet. This sounded a little impractical as they have an entire room to themselves and they would need a lot of dog beds! So I did some research and ordered some vet bed. Now half the room is covered in vet bed, and the other half in a duvet. I have also cushioned out all their hideaouts with blankets and pillows.

However, despite applying the cream daily and replacing the rugs with softer materials, their feet do not look any better :( I have also cut their nails incase that could have been contributing and I have always cleaned their litter tray out regularly. They are healthy other than the sore hocks.

I'm really at a loss at what could be causing it and what I can do to make it better.

Any help or advice would be really appreciated. Please let me know if it sounds as though I am doing anything wrong.

Thanks
Click to expand...

I posted this on another 'Sore Hocks' thread a few weeks ago

Jack's-Jane said:
Sore hocks can be a secondary symptom of another mobility problem such as arthritis. So it really depends on the exact situation for the individual Rabbit. Some cases of Sore Hocks can fully resolve with treatment/appropriate changes in husbandry. But some cases are chronic and can have periods of relapse and then some remission.

I expect you have already read a lot of the information available re Sore Hocks. But incase you have not or if anyone else is interested these links may be useful:

WARNING- graphic images on some links

http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/Skin_diseases/Mechanical/Pod/Podo.htm

http://www.vetcareltd.co.uk/pet-factsheets/Factsheets/Otherpets/24_295077.shtml

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00dis/Miscellaneous/Ulcerative_pododermatitis_rabbits.htm

http://www.cunivetservice.com/docs/SoreHocks.2013.pdf
Click to expand...
 
Rabbitches said:
What litter are you using? I found some can contribute to my rabbits as it can be 'gravely', wood litter pellets were a touch too hard for them. Tumblefresh bedding is great as really soft, one of my vets recommends it for sore hocks; I use compressed paper stuff called back to nature with a layer of hay over it now. If they got sore hocks again I would use tumblefresh while they were healing.
Click to expand...


Yeah, good advice from Rabbitches :D

http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/resources/content/info-sheets/sorehocks.htm

There are some ideas on wrapping sore hocks here - don't attempt without vet's advice first! :wave:

http://rabbit.org/treating-sore-hocks/
 
Thanks for the replies guys.

The vet said that because both rabbit have it is unlikely to be due to a medical problem, and more likely due to their environment.

I have had an idea to buy a memory foam mattress topper as I have a big area to cover, and then cover that in towels and blankets? Does this sound like a good idea?
 
xrrebeccaax said:
Thanks for the replies guys.

The vet said that because both rabbit have it is unlikely to be due to a medical problem, and more likely due to their environment.

I have had an idea to buy a memory foam mattress topper as I have a big area to cover, and then cover that in towels and blankets? Does this sound like a good idea?
Click to expand...


Hi Rebecca

Memory foam mattress topper ..... eek - what if they wee on it?
 
xrrebeccaax said:
Thanks for the replies guys.

The vet said that because both rabbit have it is unlikely to be due to a medical problem, and more likely due to their environment.

I have had an idea to buy a memory foam mattress topper as I have a big area to cover, and then cover that in towels and blankets? Does this sound like a good idea?
Click to expand...

Are your Rabbits Rexes ? Are they related ?
 
No they are not rex's. I have a netherland dwarf and a lop.

They are very good at using their litterbox and never wee anywhere else. If not I might try loads of layers of towels and fleece over their carpeted rug?
 
xrrebeccaax said:
No they are not rex's. I have a netherland dwarf and a lop.

They are very good at using their litterbox and never wee anywhere else. If not I might try loads of layers of towels and fleece over their carpeted rug?
Click to expand...


Yes, I think that sounds good :D

Are the hocks really bad at the moment?
 
Thank you!

Lily's are worse. She has obvious red lumps and the fur has worn away.
Benji's aren't too bad, I never noticed them until the vet checked, he still has lots of fur and just some redness but no lumps.

I will try to get a photo of Lilys tomorrow. It is just worrying me that they aren't going down. I was applying the cream everyday but after it hasn't made any difference I don't know whether to stop applying it because I have read online to keep the area dry? She hates me doing it everyday too!!
 
xrrebeccaax said:
Thank you!

Lily's are worse. She has obvious red lumps and the fur has worn away.
Benji's aren't too bad, I never noticed them until the vet checked, he still has lots of fur and just some redness but no lumps.

I will try to get a photo of Lilys tomorrow. It is just worrying me that they aren't going down. I was applying the cream everyday but after it hasn't made any difference I don't know whether to stop applying it because I have read online to keep the area dry? She hates me doing it everyday too!!
Click to expand...


:D

You could enquire with your vet about bandaging them up until they heal a bit more?

I gave a link about wrapping a sore hock - it would have to be done by your vet and inspected regularly. For myself, I make little socks and elasticated boots for rabbits with sore hocks, so I can take them off and wash them twice daily and the feet can still breathe. I have yet to market them to the general public :D
 
I did consider that. The vet suggested baby socks if no improvement. I think if I don't see any improvement soon I will consider either bandaging or trying baby socks!
 
xrrebeccaax said:
I did consider that. The vet suggested baby socks if no improvement. I think if I don't see any improvement soon I will consider either bandaging or trying baby socks!
Click to expand...


Yes, the only drawback with baby socks is that babies have thicker ankles and shorter hocks than rabbits! The last pair of boots I made were for a 5 inch hock - long thin hock and thin ankle.
 
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