
- Take your rabbit to your vet right away. A rabbit with sore hocks can be in so much pain that it can’t find any way to rest comfortably in ...
- Allow your vet to clean your rabbit’s feet. After diagnosing your rabbit with sore hocks, your vet will gently clean the affected areas of its feet using a wound ...
- Begin home care with a rabbit foot soak. After the initial foot cleaning by your vet, you will need to continue cleaning and treating your rabbit’s feet at home.
- Continue home care with bandages. Bandaging materials (sterile gauze pads, elastic bandaging material) are available at your local pharmacy.
- Give your rabbit antibiotics. If your rabbit’s feet have become infected, your vet will prescribe antibiotics.
- Administer pain medication to your rabbit. To reduce your rabbit’s pain, your vet will prescribe a pain medication.
How do you treat Hock sores on a rabbit?
Treatment of Sore Hocks in Rabbits. Your veterinarian will clip the hair around the feet and gently bathe the wound with disinfectant. Following this, your pet may require a topical antiseptic, there are a range of options that your veterinarian may offer including salicylic acid, medical grade manuka honey, or calendula gels.
What should I do if my dog has sore hocks?
Severe cases of sore hocks can require amputation of the toes, foot, or entire leg. [24] Thanks! This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice.
How do you treat a painful foot in a rabbit?
Your rabbit may resist having you soak and bandage its feet, especially if it's in a lot of pain. You could try feeding it treats while you hold it and treat its feet. If this doesn't work, talk to your vet about strategies to keep your rabbit still enough to treat its feet. Give your rabbit antibiotics.
What are sore hocks and how are they treated?
What are Sore Hocks? This condition is often characterized by a change in gait, bleeding from the affected skin and change in behavior. This disease can progress rapidly, and without proper treatment can lead to irreversible tendon damage and bone disease.

How do you treat sore hocks in rabbits at home?
What treatment options are there?Provide soft, dry bedding for your rabbit (vetbed is very useful).Provide an appropriate diet, supportive feeding if anorexia is present; correct obesity by increasing fibre/decreasing carbohydrate intake. ... Trim overgrown toenails.Clean the feet.More items...
What can I put on rabbit sores?
Give your rabbit antibiotics. If your rabbit's feet have become infected, your vet will prescribe antibiotics. They can be applied directly to the affected feet (cream or ointment) or given by mouth. Oral antibiotics are recommended for severe cases of sore hocks when the feet have become extremely infected.
Why does my bunny have sore hocks?
Insufficient fur padding on the feet (NOTE: Some rabbit breeds, particularly Rex rabbits, have very fine fur that doesn't hold up well to friction. These breeds seem particularly prone to sore hock problems.)
How do you wrap a rabbit with sore hocks?
0:4811:28Sore Hocks (Pododermatitis) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd just fold it over like this underneath. There is normally no fur. And a pink callous or pink.MoreAnd just fold it over like this underneath. There is normally no fur. And a pink callous or pink. Skin although some rabbits may not have this.
Can I put Neosporin on my bunny?
Used to treat wounds. Do not use Neosporin Plus or with pain relief as corticosteroids can be dangerous to use for rabbits.
What antiseptic cream is safe for rabbits?
In addition to feeding formula, you should ask your veterinarian for an antiseptic solution, such as diluted chlorhexidine (typically one part of solution with 20 parts of water). This antiseptic solution can be used to clean minor wounds in your rabbit's skin.
How do you clean rabbit hocks?
1:086:08Treating Sore Hocks in Rabbits - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI just measure out three teaspoons of the chlorhexidine. Solution. And because it's such a bigMoreI just measure out three teaspoons of the chlorhexidine. Solution. And because it's such a big container I just kind of like to do it over the sink. And then I mix it into the gallon bucket.
Can carpet cause sore hocks?
Their claws were meant to dig into the ground to provide the traction to help them run, hop & dig. It can be hard to provide those conditions for pet rabbits. The unnatural cage flooring can cause a potentially serious condition known as “sore hocks”.
Is Vaseline safe for rabbits?
This marvelous ointment does wonders on inflamed flesh and also dissolves caked- on feces. Once the inflammation is relieved, Vaseline can be used to protect the skin from the urine. An incontinent rabbit must be kept strictly indoors.
Should you wrap sore hocks?
This style of wrapping rabbit feet with bare spots (NOT open sores) should keep the rabbit comfortable for a good while, but we generally re-wrap and re-pad every week or so. If the pad or bandage becomes wet or soiled, change it immediately, as you don't want an already compromised foot soaking in water (or worse!).
Can I put a bandaid on my rabbit?
My rabbit is bleeding If it is trickling or pumping, cover the area with a clean cloth or bandage material and apply pressure (a clean towel/flannel is appropriate, don't use tissue). Secure this in place with a bandage or your hand and keep it in place until the vet can assess it.
How do I clean my rabbits feet?
Get a few cloths that have been soaked in warm water and wrung out. Hold the rabbit still on your lap, with a towel on your lap for the rabbit to sit on so that your clothes don't get wet! Gently wipe off any dirt, and then with the kitchen towel, gently pat your rabbit's feet dry.
Can rabbits die from sore hocks?
Anything which causes pain, distress, and therefore stress to the rabbit has the potential to induce gut stasis. This is when the gut shuts down an...
What are the symptoms of sore hocks in rabbits?
Subtle signs include the rabbit not moving around much, seeming withdrawn, and a poor appetite. Take a look at the rabbit's hocks where they contac...
How do bunnies get sore hocks?
Just like wearing a pair of shoes that rub your heel and cause a blister, the ground rubbing on the rabbit's hocks will cause a sore. If this goes...
How do you treat sore hocks?
Treatment is a combination of correcting the underlying cause (by providing plenty of deep, clean bedding) and managing the sores themselves. The l...
What Are Sore Hocks in Rabbits?
Symptoms
Causes
- Some think that sore hocks in rabbits are caused by neglect. But, more often, that is not the case. Even rabbits receiving lots of love and care can get sore hocks too. There are many causes of sore hocks in rabbits. Among those predisposing factors are listed below. 1. Unsanitary cage:The factor that may cause the most danger for sore hocks is an unsanitary living environment. We al…
Checking The Bandaged Sore Hocks
- If you notice signs of inflammation, it means that you’ve wrapped the bandage too tightly. Simply remove the bandage, allow the foot to rest for a few minutes, and repeat the steps above. On the other hand, if you wrap the foot too loosely, the pad can get displaced. Unwrap the bandage and repeat the steps, so it hugs your rabbit’s leg perfectly. The bandage should keep your rabbit com…
Other Treatment Options
- Vets may recommend creams and ointments to treat sore hocks in rabbits. Other than topical medications, vets can also prescribe systemic antibiotics and pain medications. These would lessen the inflammation and treat your rabbit’s sore hocks. If your rabbit exhibits more severe symptoms, such as bleeding and broken skin, head to the vet as soon as ...
Recovery
- In most cases, sore hocks in rabbits are difficult to treat. Frequently, they return after a treatment that’s deemed successful. While less serious sore hocks have a good chance of recovery, severe cases of sore hocks cause damages that lead to poor recovery chances. While your rabbit is recovering, there are helpful things you can do to speed up the recovery process and make your …
Cost
- Treating sore hocks in rabbits costs around $200 to $1,800. If your rabbit gets sore hocks, the average amount that you should expect to spend is $500. As you see, that’s lots of bucks to spend right there! Luckily, there are things you can do to prevent your rabbit from getting sore hocks.
Prevention
- Below are preventive tips to avoid sore hocks in rabbits: 1. Keep your rabbit’s claws trimmed: Long claws can increase the risk of your rabbit getting sore hocks. Thus, keeping your rabbit’s nails trimmed would prevent sore hocks by decreasing abrasive forces stressed on your pet’s foot. Regular trimming should lower the risk of having sore hocks. 1. Clean your rabbit’s cage regularl…
Summary
- Sore hocks in rabbits can be a severe condition that leads to irreversible tendon changes and bone problems. The symptoms make your rabbit uneasy, making it inactive for weeks. With all the bothersome symptoms, the cost of treating sore hocks can reach $1,800! Thankfully, this condition can be prevented with proper care, safety tips, and sanitary measures.