Sore Hocks and Treatment

Sore hocks occurs when the fur on the bottom of the foot (hock)
wears down and a bacterial infection sets in.

Symptoms include:
Shifting back and forth on feet
Laying down more than usual
Trying to sit in or on things rather than the wire and sore's on the foot.

There are 6 noted stages of sore hocks.

1. Acute Hyperemic Pododermatis.
The affected portions of the foot has less fur and is somewhat red.
2. Chronic Fibrous Pododermatis.
The skin on the infected portion of the foot is harder, like a callous, and the fur lose is very obvious.
3. Hyperkeratinized Pododermatis.
The infected portion of the foot becomes totally bald. The skin surface is hard, white/light grey, and is scabbed over with a rough surface.
4. Hyperkeratinized Pododermatis with excretion.
The infected portion of the hock is cracked open and clear liquid is excreted.. The hock is moist around the affected area.
5. Hyperkeratinized Pododermatis with blood.
The clear liquid from stage 4 is now somewhat bloody.
6. Hyperkeratinized Pododermatis with ulcerations.
The infected portions look clumpy almost like cottage cheese. A soft, open sore forms over the affected regions of the hock.

Once a rabbit reaches stage 2, recovery and regrowth of hair is impossible.
If you have a rabbit with sore hocks treat it immediately.
Also place a resting board in the cage so the rabbit does
not have to sit on the wire.

It is important to Keep the cage very clean to reduce built up bacteria.
Treatments include applying topical ointment to the hock each day.
and always be on the look out for any signs of reoccurrence.