Hutch Sores ("Sore Hocks")

Cause
    Hutch sores are chronically ulcerated and infected wounds on the weight-bearing
surfaces of the rear (and some times the front) paws. They are cased by a
number of predisposing factors: reduce thickness of fur on the bottoms of the feet;
continued thumping of the rear feet when frightened; excessive body weight;
repeated or continual urin-soiling of the feet; lack of movement from living in a
small enclosure; and aggressions from irregular cage flooring. Hutch sores can occur
in rabbits housed on solid floors, but are more common in rabbits kept in enclosures
with wire floors. Pet rabbits that are housed indoors or outdoors should be kept in roomy wire cages with Plexiglas covering about a 1/4 of the floor's surface area.
    Treatment
    Hutch sores are treated with antibiotics (both topically and by injection) and periodic
bandaging of the affected feet. Treatment is usually long-term and also requires
identification and correction of the underlying causes. Hutch sores must be treated
aggressively to prevent infection of deeper soft tissues and bone.