🐇 Vet Guide 2025: Understanding & Treating Sore Hocks in Rabbits

As a veterinarian, I frequently see rabbits with sore hocks—medically known as pododermatitis—an often painful, preventable condition that affects the sensitive skin under the hocks and feet. In this 2025 expert guide, I’ll walk you through all you need to know: from early warning signs to advanced treatment and lifelong prevention strategies. Let’s make sure every rabbit hops pain-free and happy! 💚

📚 What Are Sore Hocks (Pododermatitis)?

Pododermatitis involves inflammation, sores, or ulceration on the soles of your rabbit’s feet and hocks. Rabbits lack thick foot pads, relying on fur for cushioning—once that fur is worn through, bare skin is exposed to friction, pressure, and moisture. If left untreated, infection can spread deeply, even to bone :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.

⚠️ Common Causes

• Hard or abrasive flooring—wire bases, concrete, certain carpets :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
• Obesity or rapid weight gain = extra pressure :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
• Limited exercise or small enclosures :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
• Moist or soiled bedding—urine softens skin, breeding bacteria :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
• Thin fur breeds (e.g. Rex) or giant rabbits under heavy load :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
• Arthritis → shifts gait → uneven pressure points :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}

🔍 Identifying the Stages & Symptoms

Early detection makes all the difference. Here’s what to watch:

• Stage I-II: Hair loss, redness, mild swelling :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
• Stage III-IV: Scabs, open sores, possible abscesses :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
• Stage V: Deep tissue or bone infections—risk of osteomyelitis or tendon damage :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}

Rabbits may limp, grind teeth, sit hunched, eat less or show signs of pain :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.

🏥 Diagnosis by a Vet

Your veterinarian will:

• Examine the feet and gait
• Perform blood tests for infection or anemia :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}
• Take cultures from any wounds
• Order imaging (X-ray/ultrasound) if deep structures or abscesses are suspected :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}

💊 Treatment Strategies

1. Pain Relief & Infection Management

Rabbits often require:

• Systemic antibiotics (based on culture results) :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}
• Analgesics for comfort and mobility :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}
• Topical treatments—e.g., silver sulfadiazine, manuka honey, antiseptics :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}

2. Wound Care & Bandaging

Gentle daily cleaning and careful wrapping protect healing sores. Techniques include:

• Soaks in dilute antiseptic or Epsom salt baths :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}
• Pad with rabbit fur or vet-bed, then wrap gently with VetWrap “H” booties :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}
• Change dressings as soon as soiled or wet :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}

3. Advanced & Surgical Care

Severe cases may need:

• Debridement or abscess drainage
• Surgical flaps to close deep wounds :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}
• In rare, severe, or chronic osteomyelitis—amputation may be life‑saving :contentReference[oaicite:23]{index=23}

🏡 Environment & Lifestyle Remedies

1. Flooring & Bedding

• Replace wire or hard floors with solid, cushioned surfaces like foam, yoga mats, or vet‑bed :contentReference[oaicite:24]{index=24}
• Use paper-based or straw bedding; avoid fleece alone—it's misleadingly soft but can abrade :contentReference[oaicite:25]{index=25}
• Ensure cleaning routine removes moisture daily :contentReference[oaicite:26]{index=26}

2. Weight, Mobility & Exercise

• Control weight via high-fibre hay, less pellets :contentReference[oaicite:27]{index=27}
• Encourage daily runs on soft turf or indoor-safe areas :contentReference[oaicite:28]{index=28}
• Manage arthritis to prevent uneven gait :contentReference[oaicite:29]{index=29}

3. Ongoing Foot Checks

Inspect feet weekly—look for fur thinning, redness, calluses—and act quickly. Recurrence is common without making these environmental changes :contentReference[oaicite:30]{index=30}.

🧠 Home Care Tips from Dr Duncan Houston

• 🏠 Provide 4–6 in of soft, dry bedding under high-traffic areas
• 📏 Trim nails and check fur length under feet
• 🔁 Rotate surfaces—alternate turf and fleece-lined trays
• 💦 Clean daily; change bedding weekly or more
• 📋 Keep a medical log—track wound healing, meds, bandage changes

📌 When to Contact Your Vet Immediately

• Bleeding or deep ulceration
• Pus, foul odor, fever, marked swelling
• Signs of systemic illness—lethargy, anorexia, hunched posture
• Limping or inability to bear weight

🌟 Long‑Term Prevention & Wellbeing

Ongoing care ensures lifelong comfort. With supportive flooring, weight management, and prompt treatment, many rabbits fully recover and avoid recurrence. For tailored advice, chronic support, or behavior help, connect to Ask A Vet or check out Woopf's enrichment for active seniors and Purrz grooming care. 🐾

✅ Final Thoughts from Dr Duncan Houston

Sore hocks are one of the most preventable yet distressing conditions rabbits face. Early detection, expert treatment, and environmental upgrades make all the difference. Your rabbit deserves to hop without pain—you can be their hero.

Need support? Download the Ask A Vet app or visit AskAVet.com for 24/7 rabbit-savvy vet care. Your gentle giant—or petite pal—will thank you! 🐰📱