I have had my 4 bunnies for 5 years, but one of my boys, Ralf, has the worst hock sores. He lives outside in a covered area, at night I put him in his play pen to sleep but he plays for the entire day with one of the other bunnies (they are bonded) with access to the play pens for food and drink (photo is attached to this post).
He has always been prone to hock sores, only one of my bunnies has had a hock sore but after treatment it went away. For him, no matter what it always comes back worse. The vet gave me this spray so I use it on him when I see that the hock sores are getting bad. Today I noticed that almost his whole foot looks like a hock sore. I’m kinda freaking out because all my other bunnies have the same living conditions as him and he’s the one that winds up with hock sores. I’m planning on taking Ralf to the vet tomorrow. Anyone have advice?
My bunnies have been outdoor rabbits for 5 years and have lived outdoors their whole lives. I cannot have them indoors. Please do not criticize on this post about them living outside.
by mpoly100
20 Comments
Although I am generally pro-wire, some rabbits definitely shouldn’t be on it, and it looks like this is one of them. Make sure that the rabbit has a resting pad or surface where they can get off the wire when they want. You might switch over to a denser wire grid (1/2″ x 1″ 14 GA).
If it was my rabbit I’d build a permanent structure on the ground to get it out of the cage. I have rabbits living in outdoor aviaries with my birds.
Try putting booties or socks with gauze padding to let his hocks heal up and keep the wounds cleaner. Be sure the change them often
Buy a cheap dishwasher tub, fillet with hay, and add it. The problem is the wire. You will never get his feet healed up while he’s sitting on wire.
Maybe the metal wire/bars that he’s laying on is part of the problem. Also, you could put fake grass inside their enclosure
“My bun has horrible hock sores”
Proceeds to take pics of the bunny feet in a WIRE CAGE
Get them an x pen and some soft rugs please
I have these covering the wire floor of my bunny’s hutches. They are confined at night for safety and they lay in there periodically throughout the day. It keeps their feet protected, but if they accidentally poop, pee, spill water, it will drain away to keep feet dry.
Hamiledyi Rabbit Feet Pad, Hole Leak Water Design for Plastic Bunny Cage Mat, Foot Resting Pads 3Pcs https://a.co/d/hovdLk6
You have him on a wire bottom cage. Rabbits don’t have pads on their feet like other animals it’s just fur and bones. They need blankets and softer materials to run on. The cage bottom in these pictures is the problem and won’t stop causing them and making it worse until you get rid of it.
This is the consequence of housing a rabbit in a wire-bottom ground or a hard floor. Your rabbit needs to spend most of his time on soft ground like a carpet or a rug to prevent this. Obesity can also be a factor so you need to make sure your rabbit is not overweight. You should probably go to your vet for treatment of the sores and advice.
Try Vetericyn spray, or gel. I used Vetericyn Plus on my bun’s feet every day (or every other day after the problem improved). After about 2 weeks, the fur started to grow back. I’d have to apply it consistently throughout my bun’s life, as he always was prone to sore hocks. Vetericyn is a disinfectant and doesn’t sting. One can find Vetericyn on Amazon, Chewy and other places. If bun is constantly having sore hock problems, then regular application of Vetericyn is likely necessary. Some buns have more sensitive feet than others. Wire is tough on bun feet. Perhaps try to provide a surface that isn’t comprised of wire in the area, so the feet won’t be exposed to the wire thereby contributing to the sore hock problem. Also, I’ve found that exposure to urine exacerbates sore hocks. (Edit: Urine is potentially caustic to bun feet, as it contains ammonia.) I used wood pellets that contain no additives that are safe for buns as litter. This helped provide a consistently dry surface. I noticed that if I changed the litterbox on a daily basis sore hocks was much less of a problem. I used to change the box about every other day, but every day is better. I think if you regularly apply Vetericyn, provide a non-wire surface, and use litter that provides a consistently dry surface (along with changing same every day, or removing soiled parts and replace with fresh litter), the sore hocks should improve. It’s good of you to be proactive about the sore hocks problem because if it progresses to a bone infection, it may be difficult to treat.
Before my boy Bob passed he lived in a hutch outside with his brother for years. Their happiest times were when it was mid-January at it’s coldest they would stretch out on their run like they were sunbathing but would hide from the rain in mid-July as if it would kill them. I’ve never had a bun with sore hocks but I’m sure it’s not fun for your bun.
Good luck with helping Bun I wish I had answers to help with his foot issues.
The vet gave me some stuff, SSD cream. But I would check your husbandry, it’s most likely from the buns being on wire. Think if you had to stand on wire all day, your feet would be sore too, and buns skin is very sensitive. I would also consider using a water bowl instead of a water bottle, as water bottles can mess up their teeth, and it’s also a struggle for them to get enough water.
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The answer is in your pictures… wire bottoms and hard concrete. For a potty, use something like a Petmate litter bin (just a tub). And I know it’s difficult to put down something soft in that outdoor enclosure because it will get wet, but you need to find something padded that won’t absorb water, but also won’t be a material that they’ll chew on. I tried a giant exercise mat once but they immediately started chewing it. And that was dangerous because their stomachs probably can’t break down rubber materials like that. So be careful picking something out. Also, water might pool if it can’t drain or absorb anywhere.
Comfy bed 🤪
I would give him shoes or socks.
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Wrap up with some kirlex gauze and put some rubber yoga mats over the wire flooring of cage
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They’re in a good awful enclosure- that’s the issue.
I’d recommend keeping your rabbit indoors. X-pen and area rug are easier and cheaper to maintain than two hutches.