Sore Hocks?

[mocha200]

I am back again with some questions about sore hocks. I made a post awhile back about Mocha having calluses but I am now starting to wonder if these are more than just calluses. I will describe them, but if you want I may be able to have someone take a picture of them for me. When I lift up the flap of fur there is a bump on his hock (about the size of  chocolate chip ) the color of the bump looks sort of like this but maybe a little more hint of red. So it is pink, but a darker pink. When I put pressure on it it turns white and stays white for about a half a second after I relieve the pressure. For about an inch above the bump it is very bad dry and flaking skin! So here are my Questions:

1. When is it considered “Sore Hocks”? Every where I read online says if it is just a pink bump it is a normal callus that rabbits get, but if it is red or oozing it is sore hocks. Mocha is in between! They are a little redder then they used to be, but not red!

2. What should I do for flooring? I just bought 2 memory foam mats that I am laying down in the areas he likes to sleep on, but I don’t know what to do with the rest of the floor! puzzle mats? I could see him eating those… Grass mats? 

Just a quick side note, his nails need to be trimmed BAD! I haven’t trimmed them since like….. Oct. or Nov….. I know I am awful but I can’t do it myself because he has dark nails…. 

Should I put some Bag Balm or neosporin on it to help with the flaking and redness?

[Monkeybun]

longer nails will put more pressure on their heel, so that could by why they have gotten redder. it isn’t sore hocks *yet* but could end up that way Trim them nails!

[LittlePuffyTail]

Ditto, Monkey. Long nails are bad, that may be why the callouses are so red. Trim them before the hocks become “sore hocks” because it is very difficult and often expensive to treat as it requires vet visits.

Have you tried this flashlight method?

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaNoBzWVIM4

Olivia’s hocks get a bit red sometimes but as long as they are not causing pain or look open or are soft and dark red, they are not at the point of needing treatment.

I swear by Snoozzy mats for sore hocks. They come in small to really large and have done wonders for my buns’ feet.

 

[mocha200]

LPT: Yes I have use a flashlight and that is why I can’t do it myself as I can’t hold the flashlight and Mocha and clip his nails at the same time! I will ask my dad to help me tonight after he gets off work.

I looked at the Snoozzy mats but I found two memory foam mats on sale since they are pretty much the same.

[LittlePuffyTail]

I can’t trim my bunnies nails myself either. I have to get my husband to help.

[mocha200]

This is the cage flooring right now. All together it is 8 layers of blankets/towels and a memory foam mat on the right.

I cover their stair steppers as carpet can be bad on hocks.

Here is an over view of the cage if you were wondering what it looks like. I NEVER shut them in there! I only have it for the litter boxes to be in and the water. They love running up and down the stairs anyways!

We clipped the evil claws tonight! It was very quick with my dads help. I put him on his back to check his hocks and clean his scent glands and he tranced! I felt so bad! I don’t know of any other way to clean his glands without putting him on his back…  Any idea’s on what to do to prevent a trance?

[Sarita]

Mocha, I wouldn’t worry about the trance – it is how they would have to do it at the vet’s too – it’s just a difficult area to check (scent glands).

[mocha200]

Thanks Sarita!

[Author]

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