Leg ulcer, also called pododermatitis, is a very common problem in house rabbits. It contracts on the undersurface of the rabbit's paws, where sores develop that can become inflamed or infected. There are many factors that contribute to the formation of this pathology, such as excess weight or the floor of the wire mesh cage. Pododermatitis can be very painful and it is very important to treat it immediately. If your rabbit has contracted it, use medications to treat it and eliminate the triggers.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Receive Veterinary Treatment
Step 1. Take the bunny to the vet immediately
This pathology causes him so much pain that he cannot even find a position to be able to rest peacefully in his cage. In addition, the lower leg area may be red, inflamed and produce secretions (an indication of infection). If your rabbit is in this condition, take him to the vet as soon as possible so that he can receive the necessary treatment.
Try to get him to a doctor who specializes in exotic animals and has experience with rabbits. Use the site https://www.aicriceti.org/veterinari-specializzati-in-animali-exotico/ to find one near you
Step 2. Let the vet clean the bunny's paws
After diagnosing pododermatitis, he will clean the infected areas with a suitable cleaner. If the animal is in a lot of pain, it may object to this treatment. However, his paws need to be cleaned before any other medication can be applied.
- Your vet may use antibacterial soap to perform this procedure, after which they can apply antibiotic ointment to the infected area.
- After these steps he will apply a bandage to the affected area. The rabbit, however, will not like having his paw bandaged. Don't be surprised if she tries to take it off.
Step 3. Begin the care at home by soaking the paws
After the initial cleaning done by the vet, you will need to continue doing it yourself. You will be recommended different products (Betadine, Chlorhexiderm) with which you will have to carry out the dressings 2-3 times a day. Betadine and Chlorhexiderm are disinfectants that you can find in pharmacies.
- To do this, use a small bowl. While holding the animal still, gently dip the affected paws into the bowl. Your vet will tell you how much product to use and how long to soak the rabbit's foot.
- Once finished, gently pat it dry with a clean cloth, apply antibiotic ointment (if needed), and wrap.
Step 4. Continue to keep the paw bandaged at home as well
You can find the necessary material (sterile gauze and elastic bandages) at the pharmacy. To perform the bandage, place sterile gauze on the surface of the affected area, then wrap the affected area and part of the foot with the elastic bandage, leaving the toes out. Do not squeeze too tightly to not reduce blood flow.
- Banding a paw can be tricky, so ask your vet to show you how.
- The animal may object to these treatments, especially if they are in a lot of pain. You could try feeding it while you care for the paw. If that doesn't work, ask your doctor for more strategies to distract the rabbit as long as necessary.
Step 5. Administer the antibiotic
If your bunny's foot has become infected, your vet will prescribe an antibiotic. It can be applied directly to the affected area (in the form of a cream or ointment) or given orally. The latter method is recommended in cases where the state of the disease is severely advanced.
- Some antibiotics can cause serious gastrointestinal problems in rabbits, as they reduce the bacterial flora. However, if your pet needs it, your vet will be very careful about choosing the right medication.
- In addition, he could also prescribe probiotics, which replenish the destroyed intestinal flora.
- Oral antibiotics are in liquid form and are usually given by inserting a syringe into the side of the rabbit's mouth. If you are using a cream medication, be careful not to let the tip of the tube touch the surface of the infected skin.
- To give this medicine to your bunny, carefully follow the instructions on the recipe.
Step 6. Administer a pain reliever
Your vet will prescribe it to reduce the animal's pain. It could be an anti-inflammatory, such as carprofen or naproxen. As with the antibiotic, always follow the instructions on the recipe.
This type of medication is usually found in the form of a pill. To give it to the rabbit, you can hide it inside a food that he loves, or chop it and mix it with food or fruit juice. To break it, use the underside of a knife
Method 2 of 3: Change the Environment in which the Rabbit Lives
Step 1. Make the bottom of the cage comfortable
In the wild, rabbits roam on grass or soft ground, which allows them to sink their nails and fingers into it for adequate support. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to replicate this type of flooring in a home environment. If the cage has only a wire mesh bottom and there is no soft area to rest the legs on, you will need to make it more adequate.
- If you can't buy one with a smooth bottom, cover the wire mesh with something soft. For example, place a towel and cover it with litter or straw for the rabbit to sleep on.
- You can also put cardboard on top of the wire mesh. It is very absorbent, so you will need to change it often.
- If the cage already has a smooth floor, try covering it with a soft cotton mat that has a rubber underside. The rabbit will be able to walk on a soft surface without slipping.
- Make sure all the material is thick and absorbent enough to adequately cushion the movement of the paws.
Step 2. Remove soiled litter regularly
Urine is very irritating to the skin and can cause pododermatitis. If your rabbit likes to sit on the litter box, his paws will be in constant contact with it, increasing the risk of contracting the disease. As part of your ulcer treatment, clean it at least once a day.
When doing this, be sure to remove the stool as well. These contribute, along with the urine, to the proliferation of bacteria in the cage, which can worsen the infection
Step 3. Clean the bunny cage
In addition to removing dirty litter regularly, you should also keep the entire cage clean. Throw away any uneaten food every day and wash the bowls with soap and water. Do a deeper clean every two weeks: Use a solution of water and vinegar (4 parts water and 1 parts vinegar) to clean the cage and toys.
Method 3 of 3: Addressing Other Triggers
Step 1. Trim the rabbit's nails
If too long, they can curve under the legs and damage the skin, causing ulceration. If necessary, cut them during the treatment. Make sure you keep them short even after you are healed, as a form of prevention. If you don't feel like it, get your vet to do it.
If you decide to do it yourself, make sure you don't cut them too short. Use the nail clipper before the point where you see the blood vessel, in the center of each nail, otherwise you will cause a lot of pain to the rabbit, as well as cause blood loss
Step 2. Help your bunny lose weight
An overweight rabbit usually does not assume correct positions, causing unnatural and uneven pressure on the paws. This can cause pododermatitis. If your pet is in these conditions, you must gradually lose weight to reduce the weight on his feet. It means you need to feed him a healthy diet and get him to exercise more.
- Talk to your vet first. It will tell you how much weight to lose and help you follow a proper weight loss plan.
- Some exercises you could have him do are: dig, chase you, and run through an obstacle course. Remember that at the beginning of the treatment the paws may hurt too much to be able to exercise.
- A healthy diet includes hay, fresh vegetables, and limited amounts of pellets and treats.
Step 3. Treat any orthopedic problems
A rabbit suffering from arthritis or other bone problems will fail to have proper posture, increasing the risk of pododermatitis. If your pet is in this condition, the vet will treat both problems.
You can make her cage more comfortable by using a low front litter box and shallow water and food bowls
Advice
- Treating the causes of pododermatitis is very important in order not to make the treatment of this pathology too frustrating.
- Some breeds (Rex, Dutch) have very short and thin fur under their legs, which makes them prone to developing pododermatitis.
- Ulcers under the paws usually form due to damage to the skin and hair follicles.
Warnings
- Treating pododermatitis can be difficult and time-consuming.
- After treatment, the hair usually does not grow back. In addition, the paw could be permanently damaged.
- In many severe cases it is necessary to amputate the toes, foot or the entire leg.
