How to Identify Pododermatitis (Sore Hocks) in Rabbits

1 How to Identify and Treat Rabbit Pododermatitis

1. Causes and symptoms of rabbit pododermatitis

The causes of pododermatitis are mainly the following two:

1. The bottom of the cage or the ground is uneven, or the cage floor material is improperly used, with sharp corners that scratch the rabbit’s feet.

2. The rabbit’s urine and feces are not cleaned up in time, wetting the cage net or cage floor, making the cage too damp. Rabbits in this environment easily develop inflammation of the soles. Pododermatitis mostly causes the rabbit’s soles to become bare, skin red and swollen, and hair loss. Slowly, scars and ulcers appear on the soles, with blood and lymph fluid flowing from the wound, and then the wound continues to expand with more and more blood oozing.

In addition, rabbits that are heavy, energetic, and have soft fur are more likely to get pododermatitis.

When a rabbit has pododermatitis, it will constantly change limbs to support its body, appearing to dance on the surface, but owners must not be careless and should check the rabbit’s soles as soon as possible and treat in time. Rabbit pododermatitis causes the sick rabbit’s appetite to decrease, gradually become thin, and eventually die.

2. Treatment methods for rabbit pododermatitis

The treatment time for pododermatitis is long and it is prone to recurrent infection; this disease is hard to treat, but if the owner gives the sick rabbit enough care and does a good job of nursing, it can still be well cured. Treatment methods are as follows:

1. Carefully remove all the hard skin and residual hair on the sole of the affected limb, clean it, disinfect the wound with iodine, and then wrap the wound with adhesive plaster. Mild symptoms can generally be cured in about 20 days; severe symptoms need to repeat the above 1 to 2 times.

2. In the early stage of the disease, the owner can apply lime water to the wound of the sick rabbit. Preparation method: mix lime and water at a ratio of 1:2. Apply again 4 to 5 days after the first application. This method is effective for early symptoms but not much for middle and late symptoms.

3. Use Yousongjing ointment for treatment. This ointment has a good effect on surgical inflammation and has no side effects. The ointment has the effects of sterilization and promoting blood circulation, and can promote the growth of granulation tissue and epithelial tissue. Usage: when using, clean the wound of the sick rabbit, remove the necrotic flesh, clean the affected area again, and then apply a layer of Yousongjing ointment. Generally, applying twice can cure it; apply once every 5 days in summer and once every 7 days in winter.

4. This method is similar to the first method, except no removal is needed; that is, directly apply iodine to the wound, and after it dries, apply erythromycin ointment, then wrap the wound with adhesive plaster, winding from the lesion site to the wound. Note: do not wrap too tightly; after bandaging, gently pinch to promote wound healing.

Friendly reminder:

For all diseases, prevention is more important than treatment. No matter what kind of injury or illness, it goes through pain. Therefore, although prevention is troublesome, it is always better than treating after getting sick, and some diseases cannot be cured, which makes prevention even more necessary. Rabbit pododermatitis is easy to prevent; it is nothing more than keeping the cage dry and making the cage floor comfortable and soft, which is not difficult. We hope all owners can prevent it for your rabbits, and we hope your little rabbits are healthy!