Rabbit hair loss on foot bottoms

Question
I have a question about my pet rabbit. She is about 7 years old. I took her in last year, when a relative of my boyfriend no longer wanted her. Recently while having her flipped to clip her nails, I noticed some hair loss on her back feet.  Now the area has increased and looks red, irritated and dry. she doesn't seem to care if I touch it, but it worries me. Its mostly on her hind feet, but there is a little hair loss and red skin on her front feet. I am trying to get her to a vet. I don't know if this is relevant but, there is a little bit of poop smeared on her tail, just a few little slicks. What could this be?


Answer
Dear Ally,

The sore hocks and soft poop might be related, or not.  Pain/stress can cause GI tract slowdown that results in mushy cecotropes, and sore hocks can do that if they are severe enough.  Please read:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/poop.html

for an overview.

For the sore hocks, please see:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/sorehocks.html

for potential treatment.  But also get bun to a good rabbit vet:

www.rabbit.org/vets

since sore hocks can sometimes be caused by a bunny's abnormal posture due to arthritis, urinary tract problems or other source of pain. This makes her stand on her foot in an unnatural way that can promote sore hocks.  So treating the sore feet is important, but tracking back to the cause of the problem will make sure it doesn't become chronic, and that bun will feel well all over.

Hope that helps.

Dana