Emma Jones
The hind legs serve many important functions for rabbits. But they can develop wounds. Find out where sore rabbit legs come from and how to treat them.
Drumming is part of rabbits’ craft and is used for communication. When an enemy approaches, they slap the ground with their powerful hind legs to warn the other rabbits. This is how Klopfer, the rabbit in Disney’s “Bambi”, got its name.
But the rabbit runs can also develop wounds that heal very slowly.
Where do sore rabbit legs come from?
Large or overweight rabbits are more likely to suffer from leg sores than small, lean animals. In addition, Rex rabbits are said to be susceptible to this disease. But there are other causes of sore legs in rabbits. On the one hand, allergies are discussed as a trigger, but on the other hand, the causes often lie in the way the rabbits are kept:
Moist litter damages the skin of the soles. At first, only round or oval hairless spots are noticeable. There, however, the skin soon becomes inflamed and sooner or later breaks open. Ulcerative wounds then form, which are usually aggravated by bacteria.
Keeping them on wire netting with too little bedding causes sores.
Some vets believe that a diet that is too high in protein is what causes the sores. For other reasons, the main feed should always consist of hay. Concentrated feed and snacks may only be fed in tiny amounts.
Stress can also be a trigger for sore legs in rabbits. There are rabbits who always feel threatened and constantly tap their hind legs to “sound the alarm”. These rabbits are, particularly at risk.
If you have such a “knocker”, you have to consider why the animal does not feel safe and secure in its enclosure. You may need to find a quieter location or provide more space. Perhaps it is also due to the way we deal with the sensitive rabbit that he is under constant stress. Children in particular are sometimes a little rough.
Treating sore rabbit runs
The treatment of the wounds is lengthy. In addition to improving posture, consistent wound cleaning and care are necessary. A veterinarian should monitor the course of the disease. Because he has to decide whether the rabbit also needs to be treated with antibiotics.