Sore on my buck’s foot. Need advice/help

Today I moved my buck into a new cage. While doing some chores I noticed that he has was bleeding. The best way to describe this is that the wound is between 2 of his toes on his rear right foot. He is walking with a bit of a limp. Not sure what/ how to go about this. I have looked at the cage and have no idea how this happened.

First things first. Clean it. Not Peroxide - just plain, unscented,, non-detergent soap and warm water. Do you have any herbal ointments on hand? If not, you can get plain old A&D ointment, at Walmart - usually in the baby stuff.  Wrapping it will only help if you also have a vet collar/ cone of shame that will fit properly, without inhibiting his being able to eat. If you can, move him to a smaller pen or crate, to limit his ability to run around a lot, without immobilized him. That's a start. The next thing is to clean his normal habitat, completely - no bleach - and run your hands carefully over every single inch of the area where he could possibly have poked ot torn that foot.

Not to alarm you, but depending on how your rabbitry is protected, it could also be a predator attacking from outside the cage - or even just scaring the rabbit into hurting itself.

If the floor of your cage is rough/wire, a temporary solution can be to give the injured rabbit a board they can sit on. They will poop/pee on it though so it has to be taken out and cleaned/replaced periodically.

No herbal ointments. Which ones would I use if I wanted to buy some?

Not sure about buying it, but we make poplar salve by by soaking the buds in oil (usually olive) in a warm place like near the wood stove for a couple weeks/months.

Applied topically it seems to help rabbits with healing of all sorts and can be used to treat ear mites also.

Martin Bernal wrote:No herbal ointments. Which ones would I use if I wanted to buy some?

As I mentioned, A&D ointment will help. It's not a brand name, it's available in the baby departments of stores like Walmart or target, but also at your local pharmacy.

IF the floor is wire, that could be the issue; a snagged toe or toe nail - do the nails need trimming? Rats, cats, coons, weasel, fox...all can injure through wire bottomed/sided cages.

Are you where it is cold? Could fur have frozen to wire and torn off? If you are in a cold climate, no flies, then likely best to cleanse it as advised, soap, not detergent (no HP, or alcohol) hibitane, or dexatin 4 (chlorhexidine) is ideal. Then leave open to the air and ensure floor is clean, lined with wood stove pellets for bedding (easy to separate the soiled areas keeping cage clean during healing. I am leery of using ointment, as they tend to lick it off; the licking can prevent healing, and ingestion of ointment could have negative consequences (without knowing the ingredients, I can't say for sure).

If it is a warm climate I would move him indoors (provide the same substrate of wood stove pellets) to ensure it is not bothered by fly eggs (maggots) or other issues high heat or humidity will cause with an open wound.

Watch closely (take photo's daily for comparison) soak in very warm water with Epsom salts at least once daily until healed over (no raw flesh is showing). The salt water will draw out excess fluids and infection that could be brewing.

Rabbits DO tend to form hard pus, not liquid. At the first sign of increased redness or swelling, you will need to hit the vets for oral antibiotics. If it is a bite or claw, you may want to do this regardless due to the high risk of infection.

Good luck, hope it turns out to be minor and heals quickly.