Rabbit Heels
Marilina Crawn
Flooring is often the culprit. Inadequate or hard flooring can create pressure on hocks, removing fur covering and causing the skin to become raw and even break apart. Abrasive floor, including some rugs or play area surfaces, wear away the fur on the hock resulting in injury. Hutches or cage systems with wire or hard surfaces are injurious to rabbit feet. This type of housing is so problematic. We strongly discourage using outdoor hutches.
Obesity creates excessive pressure on the hock and problems are more likely to arise. Chronic immobility due to aging or disease (arthritis etc..) contributes to hock issues especially if the rabbit is housed on abrasive carpeting. Long nails can be the cause as well. In rabbits with long nails the weight falls on the back of the foot resulting in sore hocks.
The Rabbit Haven rescues abandoned rabbits and guinea pigs and accepts surrendered rabbits and guinea pigs from the general public and shelters in Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, Contra Costa, San Benito and Monterey Counties. We then work to place these rescued animals into loving foster homes, secure medical care including needed spay neuter, and then place them into permanent homes. The Rabbit Haven works in the community, at schools, with shelters, and other education groups to educate the public on animal care, feeding, grooming, medical needs, social dynamics and behaviors.
Of course this is not my first royal biography rabbit hole adventure. Years ago I read the story of Nicholas and Alexandra, by Robert Massie. And I became a bit obsessed with the story of the Romanovs. I remember watching the 1956 movie Anastasia on television when I was a child, all about the youngest Romanov daughter, and her impersonator Anna Anderson, played by Ingrid Bergman. I remember desperately wanting Anna to be the real Anastasia, hoping that Anastasia had somehow survived when the rest of her family were killed. Do you ever do that? Wish that historical novels or biographies can somehow turn out differently? Even when you know the real story?
In fact, I may wait for a while after Lady in Waiting. There is such a thing as too much of a good thing. And even though I love royal biographies, tales of the rich and famous and well-connected begin to pale after a while. And I yearn for something a little more down-to-earth.
Re Daphne Du Maurier. Margaret Forster wrote a brilliant biography of her and she wrote a little autobiography of her life from birth to marriage called Myself When Young. If you read one, it is interesting to compare with the other.
The other rabbit hole I entered was reading the biography of Daphne du Maurier. I had been enjoying many of her books and I wanted to know more about her. What a family and what a life. I learned how landscape could almost be a character and how there was a generation of men who served in both WWI and II. These two reading experiences were quite remarkable.
I so relate to your rabbit hole experiences. Reading and learning and researching are in my DNA. You have certainly created interest and a path I am destined to follow with your reading suggestions. As always, your blog is so appreciated, regardless of when it shows up in my inbox. Thank you!
Please keep in mind that posts on this forum are from members of the public sharing personal opinions. It is not a replacement for qualified medical advice from a veterinarian. Many illnesses share similar symptoms but require different treatments. A medical exam is necessary for an accurate diagnosis, without which appropriate treatment cannot be given.
You should always consult your vet before following any suggestions for medication or treatment you have read about. The wrong treatment could make your rabbit worse or mean your vet is unable to give the correct treatment because of drug interactions. Even non prescription drugs can do harm if given inappropriately.
We are very grateful to members who take time to answer other members questions, but please do be clear in your replies that you are sharing personal experience and not giving instructions on what must be done.
Urgent Medical Advice: If you need, or think you might need, urgent medical advice you should contact a vet. If it is out of working hours phone your vet's normal number and there should be an answer phone message with instructions on what to do.
When rabbits are moving fast, they stand just on their toes, and the hock is up off the ground, rather like the hind leg of a dog, a cat or a horse. When they are moving more slowly, the hock is flat on the ground giving them very long feet to balance on.
Rabbits can develop pressure sores on the hocks and undersides of the feet. This is technically known as pododermatitis and is commonly called sore hocks or sore heels. There are things you can do to prevent the condition.
When the grass on a section of turf has been nibbled down, remove it, water it, and put the whole thing inside a large, clear plastic bag and tie it up. This will act like a mini greenhouse, and the grass will grow ready for reuse.
There are several brands of veterinary bedding/fleece on the market. It most closely resembles grass, where a rabbit would live in the wild. Put absorbent or waterproof layers under it, as rabbits tend to wee on it.
Package a gift perfectly with this beautiful ribbon tied gift bag featuring our wonderful rabbit design on a gorgeous green colored background with a pink ribbon. This bag is recyclable once the ribbon and rope handle have been removed. Measures 11.81 x 9.84 x 4.33 inches and is ideal for larger gifts.
The Bee's Knees ships via USPS or UPS to the 50 United States, Canada and around the world. When you place an order, we will estimate shipping and delivery dates for you based on your order. Shipping date estimates may appear on the shipping quotes page. You will receive an email confirmation when your order is received. Our goal is to ship your items as soon as possible after receipt of the order. You will also receive an email confirmation when your order ships with a tracking number if available. A physical address is required for all deliveries. We therefore cannot make shipments to P.O.Boxes or APO/FPO addresses.
Returns Policy
We hope your order from The Bee's Knees arrived safely and that you are delighted with your purchase. However, if an item does not meet your satisfaction, you may return new, unopened items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund. Refunds for items returned more than 30 days after the purchase date will be in the form of a credit which you can apply to a future purchase with The Bee's Knees. The original shipping and handling charges are not refundable. If the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.), please let us know within 14 days of the receipt of the order and we will arrange the return shipping.
You should expect to receive your refund within four weeks of giving your package to the return shipper, however, in many cases, you will receive a refund more quickly. This time period includes the transit time for us to receive your return from the shipper (5 to 10 business days), the time it takes us to process your return once we receive it (3 to 5 business days), and the time it takes your bank to process our refund request (5 to 10 business days).
If you need to return an item, simply log in to your account, view the order using the "Complete Orders" link under the My Account menu and click the Return Item(s) button. We'll notify you via e-mail of your refund once we've received and processed the returned item.
OUR FORUM IS UP BUT WE ARE STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF UPDATING AND FIXING THINGS. SOME THINGS WILL LOOK WEIRD AND/OR NOT BE CORRECT. YOUR PATIENCE IS APPRECIATED. We are not fully ready to answer questions in a timely manner as we are not officially open, but we will do our best.
The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.
Pododermatitis means inflammation of the feet. This is a fairly common condition in rabbits at any age or gender, so it is essential to know what signs to watch out for and what preventative measures you can take to prevent it.
Unlike cats, dogs, and humans, rabbits do not have a foot pad or thick musculature on their feet and hock/ankle bottoms. They have very thick fur over thin skin to protect and cushion the feet. If that fur is compromised or lost, without the thick cushion that the fur provides, excessive pressure on the underlying skin can become inflamed. Without any intervention, continued pressure and friction can cause ulcers and infection, and it can cause a lack of blood flow to the area resulting in tissue death or necrosis.
Anything that causes excessive pressure, shearing forces, friction, and moisture can cause pressure sores in people and rabbits, especially on the bottoms of their feet. Some rabbit breeds are more likely to get pododermatitis, like the short-coated Rex breeds because the fur is already thin on their feet, or large giant breed rabbits because they have extra pressure and weight placed on their feet. Rabbits that also love to thump or slap their back feet on the ground can be at risk for developing pododermatitis down the road due to this behavior.
Pododermatitis is commonly called ulcerative pododermatitis because it often causes tiny surface ulcers as part of the disease process. Sore hocks is also a common term for the condition because it often causes inflammation of the rabbit's feet and hock or ankle. Bumblefoot is commonly used in birds but can also be referred to in rabbits.
c80f0f1006