Help deciding the best sore hocks treatment

[Cheesecake]

I'm only 15, so I'm not very good at determining what would be best for it. We have a rex and they are prove to it. We will be getting her hock socks, but I don't know which Etsy seller I should get them from. I've seen OneTwoHop 's work and Forsomebunnyspecial, but I don't know which is better, it if I should just go with a different brand. Here are some other things I've heard so far: bag balm, aloe Vera gel, vetericyn plus, betadine to soak them, antibx cream, a and d ointment, ssd cream, silver sulfide, bay ointment intyol, and New-Skin. The goal is to get her both hock socks and one of the above (it something else if you know something better). I've asked on Reddit but the rabbit sub doesn't allow sore hocks posts.

 

[InspectorMorse]

Does your Rex actually have sore hocks now ? If so has he/she been seen by a Vet? As explained in a previous post, it is important to ascertain if there are any other contributory factors to the problem other than breed predisposition.

Some Rabbits will not tolerate wearing any dressings/socks and will simply chew them off. This can cause even more potentially serious problems should they ingest fabric. So before spending your money on buying ‘hock socks’ I would first discuss options with using bandaging with a Rabbit savvy Vet. The Vet could show you how to correctly apply the bandage with an anti- pressure dressing under it. Rather like a large corn plaster which takes direct weight-bearing pressure off the sore area.

What topical treatments to use on sore hocks depends on the severity of the problem. Sometimes systemic medication is needed too, especially anti inflammatory analgesia. This can only be obtained via a Vet. If the hocks are infected systemic antibiotics are needed too.

The best source of qualified information and advice about treatment options is a consultation with a Rabbit savvy Vet.

Its obvious you are being very responsible and trying your best to make sure your Rex has the appropriate care I think the best thing to do is to make sure you consult a rabbit Savvy Vet who can give you individualised advice about what treatments are needed depending on the findings of a thorough examination.

I am sure your research has already informed you that there are basic things we can do to try to minimise the development of sore hocks - ie making sure the Rabbit’s toe nails are clipped to the correct length, providing a suitable substrate which is always clean and dry, making sure the Rabbit does not become overweight and not keeping them confined to a hutch/cage so they have plenty of room to exercise, not just spend all day loafed in one place.

With the Rex predisposition to sore hocks, in my 28 years experience of caring for the breed, if they get to a year of age with no fur thinning over the hocks as long as they are always housed appropriately, not allowed to get overweight (a big challenge, Rexes are exceptionally greedy!) and their nails are kept trimmed to the correct length they are no more likely to get sore hocks than any other breed. The genetic predisposition always becomes apparent in the first year of life. It can be very disheartening to see when we know all precautions to avoid it have been taken.

 

[Cheesecake]

Does your Rex actually have sore hocks now ? If so has he/she been seen by a Vet? As explained in a previous post, it is important to ascertain if there are any other contributory factors to the problem other than breed predisposition.

Some Rabbits will not tolerate wearing any dressings/socks and will simply chew them off. This can cause even more potentially serious problems should they ingest fabric. So before spending your money on buying ‘hock socks’ I would first discuss options with using bandaging with a Rabbit savvy Vet. The Vet could show you how to correctly apply the bandage with an anti- pressure dressing under it. Rather like a large corn plaster which takes direct weight-bearing pressure off the sore area.

What topical treatments to use on sore hocks depends on the severity of the problem. Sometimes systemic medication is needed too, especially anti inflammatory analgesia. This can only be obtained via a Vet. If the hocks are infected systemic antibiotics are needed too.

The best source of qualified information and advice about treatment options is a consultation with a Rabbit savvy Vet.

Its obvious you are being very responsible and trying your best to make sure your Rex has the appropriate care I think the best thing to do is to make sure you consult a rabbit Savvy Vet who can give you individualised advice about what treatments are needed depending on the findings of a thorough examination.

I am sure your research has already informed you that there are basic things we can do to try to minimise the development of sore hocks - ie making sure the Rabbit’s toe nails are clipped to the correct length, providing a suitable substrate which is always clean and dry, making sure the Rabbit does not become overweight and not keeping them confined to a hutch/cage so they have plenty of room to exercise, not just spend all day loafed in one place.

With the Rex predisposition to sore hocks, in my 28 years experience of caring for the breed, if they get to a year of age with no fur thinning over the hocks as long as they are always housed appropriately, not allowed to get overweight (a big challenge, Rexes are exceptionally greedy!) and their nails are kept trimmed to the correct length they are no more likely to get sore hocks than any other breed. The genetic predisposition always becomes apparent in the first year of life. It can be very disheartening to see when we know all precautions to avoid it have been taken.

We haven't been to the vet because my mom doesn't think it's a big deal, I made an earlier post about Vaseline because she thinks that'll help. So unless it's an actual emergency, she can't go since I can't drive and don't have an actual job aside chores, that's why I'm trying to find other stuff. She is pretty tolerant of things being put on her, she doesn't mind bows or harnesses. They are not infected or bleeding, no abscess thankfully. We figured out the root cause fixed it, so I'm trying to heal this.

 

[Orenoko]

My bun is getting sore hocks due to old age, my vet recommended trying the socks, I bought a pair from etsy for about £12. I only put them on my bun when I'm home to supervise although she isn't actually bothered by them whatsoever. But I stress, I wouldn't leave her unsupervised with them on, and I measured to make sure they were a good fit before purchasing.

These are the ones I bought - https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1838816066/soft-hocksocks-1-pair-of-socks-for?ref=shop_home_active_1&crt=1&logging_key=ebb4def9113ba1d69cb1ad178b1b63631d4ab349:1838816066

They haven't cured the issue unfortunately but do allow me to put cream on and not have her either lick it off or have it all come off on the carpet (she's an indoor bun). They do need washing daily so she doesn't wear them all the time.

Your bun seems to have sore toes as well which socks wouldn't help. Try and convince your mum to see the vet as it's not just the hocks themselves, it's the pain that can come with them that also needs managing.

 

[Cheesecake]

We're getting the socks from OneTwoHop. The issue was I let her run around the house while I cleaned her area, but my flooring is hardwood compared to where I keep her, which has a lot of soft areas. I tried to convince her, but she believes that she is okay and doesn't need treatment. We are going to buy some ointment too and use it on her front and back. It only appeared when I began letting her around the house, so taking away that trigger will help. She hasn't lost her appetite thankfully and still moves around a lot, but we're going to try to get her something for the pain. I'm still confused on which ointment I should get though, and what I should do for pain. I should also state that I live in a VERY small town, and the closest rabbit specialist is over 2 hours away.

 

[Orenoko]

Sore hocks don't generally appear overnight, so be prepared for this to potentially be a long-term issue. Flamazine is a prescription medication that some use but you'd need to see a vet for that. I have used bepanthen (nappy rash cream) and have also heard that haemorrhoid cream can be useful BUT I am obviously not a vet. The big issue with using creams is that it causes the fur to go a bit gross and that can exacerbate the issue so even though you are trying to help it may not work! (Bunnies are so unnecessarily complicated bless them)

Can you see if you can do a video consultation with a vet? My insurer offers this service.

 

[Cheesecake]

My bun is getting sore hocks due to old age, my vet recommended trying the socks, I bought a pair from etsy for about £12. I only put them on my bun when I'm home to supervise although she isn't actually bothered by them whatsoever. But I stress, I wouldn't leave her unsupervised with them on, and I measured to make sure they were a good fit before purchasing.

These are the ones I bought - https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1838816066/soft-hocksocks-1-pair-of-socks-for?ref=shop_home_active_1&crt=1&logging_key=ebb4def9113ba1d69cb1ad178b1b63631d4ab349:1838816066

They haven't cured the issue unfortunately but do allow me to put cream on and not have her either lick it off or have it all come off on the carpet (she's an indoor bun). They do need washing daily so she doesn't wear them all the time.

Your bun seems to have sore toes as well which socks wouldn't help. Try and convince your mum to see the vet as it's not just the hocks themselves, it's the pain that can come with them that also needs managing.

Sore hocks don't generally appear overnight, so be prepared for this to potentially be a long-term issue. Flamazine is a prescription medication that some use but you'd need to see a vet for that. I have used bepanthen (nappy rash cream) and have also heard that haemorrhoid cream can be useful BUT I am obviously not a vet. The big issue with using creams is that it causes the fur to go a bit gross and that can exacerbate the issue so even though you are trying to help it may not work! (Bunnies are so unnecessarily complicated bless them)

Can you see if you can do a video consultation with a vet? My insurer offers this service.

I ended up buying hock socks, Neosporin original, and vetericyn wound spray we've taken away the cause of the sore hocks too.