Sore hocks solution?

[Jenk]

Our one Mini Rex girl's hocks are getting worse, in spite of twice-daily applications of HealX cream. (I feed her right after after putting it on, so she's distracted; but she winds up licking her hocks at some point.)

We put a grate (flourescent light panel) in her litter box, which could be contributing to the problem. (We pile the hay high all over the grate, so she's not standing directly on it.)She also has four layers of microfleece blankets on her pen floor--all to no avail.

So my questions are:

1) What else might I try to heal her hocks? (I once put atacky-feeling bandage around one leg;it slid off her hock during the day. And it's hard even getting it on her.)

2) Is my only other option to remove her grate and return to CareFresh litter? (My DH didn't want to spend that kind of money on litter again; but our girl tried eating a wood-stove pellet, so we can't put them in her box without a grate.)

Thank you,

Jenk

 

[Inle_Rabbitry]

Well first of all, mini rex are more prone to sore hocks then most other breeds because they lack the proper fur padding on the bottom of their feet, so you're bound to have a harder time trying to prevent and manage the problem.

Is she sitting in her own urine or feces, such as her litter box? If she is, exposure from her ellimations will cause the sores on her feet to remain open and infected and will only make matters worse.

One of the best things you can do right now is to keep her wounds clean, and I mean be REALLY consistent with that. Use awarm wettowel and gently wipe away any dirt, litter, feces, hair, etc. and then wipe the area untill it is dry. It's very important to make sure it's dry after you clean it, otherwise the moisture will just harbor more bacteria.

She should have at least a small dry area of SOLID flooring to rest her feet on. Blankets covering a wire floor will not help the problem at all. A piece of plywood usually works very well for this.

Hope this helps!

 

[Jenk]

Inle_Rabbitry wrote:

Well first of all, mini rex are more prone to sore hocks then most other breeds because they lack the proper fur padding on the bottom of their feet, so you're bound to have a harder time trying to prevent and manage the problem.

Oh, I know. It wish it weren't true, but I know.

Is she sitting in her own urine or feces, such as her litter box? If she is, exposure from her ellimations will cause the sores on her feet to remain open and infected and will only make matters worse.

No; as I've noted, her litter box currently has a grate (a flourescent light grid), which we pile high with hay to decrease the chance of her feet/hocks resting on the grid itself. So she's not sitting in urine/feces.

One of the best things you can do right now is to keep her wounds clean, and I mean be REALLY consistent with that. Use awarm wettowel and gently wipe away any dirt, litter, feces, hair, etc. and then wipe the area untill it is dry. It's very important to make sure it's dry after you clean it, otherwise the moisture will just harbor more bacteria.

Her feet remain relatively clean; she's doesn't sit inurine/feces. And she doesn't urinate outside of her box, so the blankets remain relatively clean/dry between monthly washings.

I've used Betadine on her hocks in the past, but the rule of thumb is to not use it (or any antiseptic) beyond 3-4 days' time, as they can cause the wound to heal less quickly/effectively.

She should have at least a small dry area of SOLID flooring to rest her feet on. Blankets covering a wire floor will not help the problem at all. A piece of plywood usually works very well for this.

She is not on wire flooring. Her four layers of microfleece blankets rest atoppadded linoleum. So her flooring is as solid as it gets.

 

[JimD]

Hi Jenk.

What else might I try to heal her hocks? (I once put a tacky-feeling bandage around one leg; it slid off her hock during the day. And it's hard even getting it on her.)

Have you tried Bag Balm. It's similar to Udderly Smooth....but much better (IMO)

Is my only other option to remove her grate and return to CareFresh litter? (My DH didn't want to spend that kind of money on litter again; but our girl tried eating a wood-stove pellet, so we can't put them in her box without a grate.)

An alternative to the lighting grid might be "plastic canvas" (PetBunny uses it for his buns). It's a softer plastic screen made for things like cross-stitching. You can get it at a lot of places...craft stores, Walmart, etc.

 

[Inle_Rabbitry]

We've also used bag balm for sore hocks and have been met with good success.

 

[Pipp]

Do you have photos?

How sore are they? Are they bleeding? Any pus?

My mini-rex Mister had sore hocks and had a bit of infection in one when when I got him. He was being neutered so I had the vet clean it. The infection came back, but it really wasn't very bad. I tried antibiotics (oral and injections, he also had runny eyes and a bit of a wheeze), changed his flooring (I had a thick rug that seemed to irritate them), etc, but nothing cleared them up completely. I finally just left them, then they cleared up on their own. :huh

I figure they're the equivalent of calluses or blisters on human feet, they're not always serious. I'll keep an eye on them, keep them clean, bag balm if they look 'angry', but not be too concerned unless there are signs of infection, then I'll treat topically.


sas :clover:

 

[tonyshuman]

I too use plastic canvas. I also didn't know just how good the bag balm was compared to udderly smooth until I tried it. It's very different, not something you'd really want on your own hands because it smells like vaseline, but it's more water-resistant so it will stay on longer.

 

[Jenk]

Pipp wrote:

Do you have photos?

How sore are they? Are they bleeding? Any pus?

I don't see running pus or blood. At least if there is any, it's under the skin and not clearly obvious. (Boy, I hope not!) But, to me, they do look "angry" red. I will attempt to get a photo tonight and post it by tomorrow.

I figure they're the equivalent of calluses or blisters on human feet, they're not always serious. I'll keep an eye on them, keep them clean, bag balm if they look 'angry', but not be too concerned unless there are signs of infection, then I'll treat topically.

What has (and has had) me concerned is that they've been "angry-looking" for several weeks now. (I've been applying HealX twice daily to both of our Mini Rexes' hocks; our one girl's hocks look less inflamed.)

I want to also note that my DH and I have been checking our girls' nails monthly, clipping them as needed. So it's not like her hind nails are super-long.

Two questions about Bag Balm:

1) When you apply it, do you need to wrap the hock? I already know that our girl licks off the HealX cream and figure that Bag Balm isn't probably the best thing for a rabbit to ingest.

2) Is Bag Balm available in the Health & Beauty section of most large-chain stores (e.g., Target, Meijer, etc.)?

 

[Jenk]

tonyshuman wrote:

I too use plastic canvas. I also didn't know just how good the bag balm was compared to udderly smooth until I tried it. It's very different, not something you'd really want on your own hands because it smells like vaseline, but it's more water-resistant so it will stay on longer.

Question about the plastic canvas: How do you keep it pulled taut so that it remains raised above the litter? (I don't want my girl being able to reach the wood-stove pellets through any form of mesh.)

 

[tonyshuman]

Bag Balm can be found at some big stores, but I'm not sure. I bought it at a pet store (because that's where I was when I saw the shelter bunnies' feet needed it!). If you don't put a huge glob of it on there, it should be ok to ingest. No more than a pencil-eraser-sized portion.

The plastic canvas's holes are too small to get through. I only worry that they might eat it. If you can find a picture you might be able to see what we're talking about and get a better idea of what we're saying. I just lay it on top of the litter. Right now I've done away with it because I want the poo mixed with the hay and pellets because it goes on my garden, and I haven't seen much improvement in the feet.

 

[Inle_Rabbitry]

We get our bag balm from local feed stores. It's primary use is for sore and dry cow utters, but many people use it for any form of minor wounds or chapped area of skin on various animals from rats to horses, to dogs and cats. It's safe if the animal ingests it, just not too much.

I would advise not wrapping it so air can get to the area. Keeping it wrapped will cause moisture build up and as mentioned above, that will increase the infection.

 

[AngelnSnuffy]

Keeping the nails trimmed also can prevent this situation or minimize it.

 

[Jenk]

Inle_Rabbitry wrote:

I would advise not wrapping it so air can get to the area. Keeping it wrapped will cause moisture build up and as mentioned above, that will increase the infection.

I agree with your point but gotta ask: if I don'tcover her hocksfor at least a period of time, won't most of the Bag Balm be wiped/licked off shortly after it is applied? Her fur doesn't cover the skin, and she moves around/sitson blankets. (I've seen round-shaped dabs of the HealX cream on her blankets, so I know that it tends to get wiped off; then she licks off more of it later.)

 

[Jenk]

tonyshuman wrote:

Bag Balm can be found at some big stores, but I'm not sure. I bought it at a pet store (because that's where I was when I saw the shelter bunnies' feet needed it!).

I'd like to note that I did a Google search on Bag Balm and found it listed for Walgreens. Even better, you can type in your zip code, and Walgreens' website will tell you what stores nearest you have it in stock. Bonus!

I want to note that I took photos of my girl's reddened hocks, but the images are too blurry to be of value. The camera wants to focus on all the white fur of her body. (I even moved far back and tried zooming in on the hocks; no dice.)

 

[Icarus]

I've treated a couple cases of sore hocks myself. Two where bleeding and generally nasty. All healed.

You will need:
Triple-Antibiotic Ointment (any store)
Corona Lanolin Rich Ointment(farm or feed store) - Labeled for horse use, I've used it with great results on horses, dogs, and rabbits.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=16429
Toilet paper (bathroom)
Vet wrap (farm or feed store)
http://www.horsetackinternational.com/VET-WRAP.html?currency=USD

1. Trance out your bunny. I generally work with my legs up on a second chair and lay the bun on top of my legs.

2. Wash gently with water and a mild soap, if necessary. Be sure to dry well afterwards.

3. Apply a light layer of triple-antibiotic ointment.

4. Apply a thick layer of Corona Lanolin Rich Ointment

5. Next take some toilet paper and thoroughly wrap the the foot, and the lower part of the leg.. Secure with some sort of tape.

6. Wrap with vet-wrap, not to tightly now!.

Repeat every other day or so. I've had a 100% success rate with this. Minor sores healed in less than a week, and the really bad ones within 3 weeks (usually less). I have an Angora buck hopping around who had Moderate sores who is 100% healed up. I only had to treat him twice. My Angora doe also had mild ones and they went away in around three days with one treatment.

Corona is a godsend if you got horses around barbed wire (I HATE barbed wire, but it's not my pasture and I can't change it). I haven't found anything better for taking down inflammation, promoting healing, and encouraging hair regrowth.

 

[Jenk]

Hi, Icarus.

Thank you for the detailed information on what has worked for your rabbits, including those with severely sore hocks.

I'm fairly certain that most rabbit experts recommend that a triple-antibiotic ointmentnot be used on any part of a rabbit, lest it be ingested and upset the delicate gut flora. To be fair, you did recommend wrapping the foot, which would keep some rabbits away from the ointment. My bun crew is sneaky. I don't trust them to not get past bandages; so I'm only willing to use something that's relatively safe for them to ingest in small amounts.

I want to note that I started using Bag Balm onour girl's hockslast Friday (without bandaging). All in all, her hocks are getting better. Some days, it seems like a case of one-step-forward-two-steps-back; but the swelling and "angry" redness is gone. Bonus!

I also want to say thank you to everyone for sharing your successful methods for treating sore hocks. :hug2:

 

[tonyshuman]

I never have had problems using triple antibiotic ointments on bunnies. The antibiotics in them are pretty weak and many bacteria are resistant to them because they are so ubiquitously used. However, they do stop some of the more common skin pathogens from getting into a cut, it seems.

I did see Bag Balm at Walgreens the other day, glad it's working for you, Jenk!

 

[Jenk]

tonyshuman wrote:

I did see Bag Balm at Walgreens the other day, glad it's working for you, Jenk!

Me, too. :biggrin2:

BTW, does anyone know if there's a "time limit," of sorts, in terms of using Bag Balm on a bunny who does lick stuff off her hocks? I know people have said that it's not supposed to be bad for a bun's system if used in small amounts; but couldn't a twice-daily application of it for weeks at at a time still cause a problem? Or is it really not a big deal?

 

[tonyshuman]

Well, we had a Cali at the shelter who needed it daily. I'm not sure it got done every day, but I had him on a "please apply daily" schedule for at least 2 months without issue. I think if you let the stuff sit for a few minutes before you let her go lick it off, it should be ok, and again, just a pea-sized amount.

 

[Jenk]

tonyshuman wrote:

Well, we had a Cali at the shelter who needed it daily. I'm not sure it got done every day, but I had him on a "please apply daily" schedule for at least 2 months without issue. I think if you let the stuff sit for a few minutes before you let her go lick it off, it should be ok, and again, just a pea-sized amount.

That's good to know.

I actually use an amount smaller than a pea. (She's a 3.25-lb. Mini Rex; it doesn't take much to cover her bare hocks. ) And we make certain that we apply it right before providing her with fresh pellets (AM) and hay (PM); that way, she's distracted by food for at least 10 minutes' time before she starts messing with her hocks. (Don't know how much Bag Balm's benefits are slowed whenit's typically cleaned off within 10 minutes', but at least it's helpingover time.)