Two Questions

[Quisquose]

Okay. I've recently discovered this forum, and have a few small concerns about my rabbit. He is a pretty large mix, has little to no behavioral problems, and is very sweet.

First Question: Calluses on his two hind feet. I've read that this is a symptom of sore hocks, but he does not flinch when I touch them. Still, just to be safe, I tried to put a resting pad in his cage. But EVERYTHING I try, he either tears it up, or shoves it against the wall of the cage. Even when we bring him inside, his 'home base' is on top of a grate vent on the floor. Suggestions? Why is he doing this? Is it a problem or am I just overreacting?

Second Question: We never got him neutered, and he is very 'well-endowed', if you know what I mean, to the point where it gets in his way, and is often smeared with poo. He is getting on four years old. Is this a good enough reason to clip them? Is it too late?

Thank You!

 

[Watermelons]

What type of floor in his regular cage?
Can you provide good clear close photos of the spots on his hocks so we can take a look and let you know.
Sometimes its an issue sometimes its totally normal.


You can still get him neutered.
It is not to late to get him done.
However regardless of size, they shouldn't be smeared with poo. This sounds like another issue.
What is his diet like? Daily and weekly? Again what is his cage setup like? Litter? Wire? Litter box? Bedding? etc...

 

[Quisquose]

I can't get a pic right now, but I can describe it. It's not inflamed-it is the same shade of pink as the rest of his skin. It is a little dry, and rough to the touch. He has wire floor and it is about 1" and his feet do not fall through the bottom. And as for the poo, he is very messy, and they drag on the ground on his normal walking/standing position, so things get stuck. (The wording was a little off in the original- not so much smeared as stuck) And his diet is a cup of regular staple mix and some various leafy greens. He's let out of his cage for at least an hour every day.

 

[Watermelons]

1" seems very large for wire flooring....
He should still be offered a resting pad which can be something as simple as a ceramic tile.
Normal healthy poops should be dry enough they shouldn't stick. Plus with wire flooring that's that large... the poo should fall right through.

What is his "regular staple mix" What is included in it? Pellets? Grains? Etc?

 

[Quisquose]

Just went out and measured the spaces on the bottom and I really overestimated. A little less than half an inch. We've tried heavy materials as a resting pad like tiles, but he tries to flip it over(so he can lay on the wire)and always ends up hitting himself on the head. The regular staple mix has pellets, grains, and the rare dried veggie (though he doesn't like those much). His poops are normally dry enough, but the area where he poops is in the area of his cage where rain can get in if the wind is right, and sometimes they land on the inside edge of his cage and get wet. And it's been raining a lot recently.

 

[Korr_and_Sophie]

Pretty much every rabbit I have seen has a red spot on their heel. Young rabbits tend to not have it, but do seem to develop it. It seems that if sores or red skin goes up the foot, then it can become a problem. Some rabbits do have that, but it is covered by fur. When it is bare, red and looks inflamed, then you do really have a problem.

What is the size of the wire for the cage bottom? Most people who use wire say it should not be bigger than 1" by 1/2". This allows the poop to fall through, but not be too hard on the feet. A bigger hole is harder on the feet. If he is pushing a resting mat or something out of the way and chewing it, you might need to try something different. A ceramic tile is hard to move around and can't be chewed, it is also easy to clean. Wood can be used as well, but can be chewed and will stain if they pee on it.

The poop issue can be related to diet. A rich diet can lead to mushy poops and excess cecetropes. The mixes with seeds, nuts and other stuff are not good for rabbits. Try switching him to a plain pellet that is lower in protein (less than 16%) and high in fibre. Giving him hay is also good to help fill him up, keep his teeth healthy and keep his gut healthy. Some rabbits are more sensitive to veggies and fresh foods, so you might want to consider limiting the veggies for a bit to see if it helps or not.

It is not too late to get him neutered. Older rabbits can be a bit more risky, but 4 isn't that old. Make sure you go to a rabbit savvy vet. Neutering will change his metabolism, so some diet changes may be needed to keep him at a good weight, it usually means less pellets and lower protein than what an intact rabbit needs.

 

[Watermelons]

I wonder if you were to offer a piece of slate rather then a ceramic tile, it would be a lot heavier and harder to flip. But would I be too heavy for the cage with him sitting on it?
Or get a ceramic tile and drill a few holes in it and wire it to the bottom of his cage.

If the pellets hes getting are just pellets that's good. IF their the pellet mix that contains seeds and grains and corn and what not, it may be best to switch him to a pellet that is 100% pellets not other goodies in it. The junk that's added can make poops yuckier then normal.

I worry about him having a poopy bum and increasing the issue of fly strike or other issues it can cause. so in that sense he may be best to neuter him if hes boys are causing that problem. But are you able to bring him indoors for a week or 2 while the incision heals if he gets done?

A callus on the hock is fairly normal. If I part the fur on my rabbits feet they have tiny little spots. But their small. My guys are kept on solid ceramic tile. It really depends how large, how red and irritated, do they ever become open wounds?
Plus it also depends how the rabbit walks/hops/sits. Some rabbits naturally sit and walk more on their hocks then they should which is an issue. Rather then walking on their feet.

 

[majorv]

Yes, it sounds like your rabbit just has a callous, and that's okay. We use 12" ceramic tiles on our floor and at that size they're pretty heavy. None of ours have tried to turn it over although they can push it around. It also provides something cool to lay on.