I took my Rex to the vet because it looked like he had an infection from his sore hocks. The doctor thinks his problem was brought on by a combination of heat, humidity and molting. He only gets sore hocks this time of the year. I am now keeping him in the house for the hottest part of the day in a pet carrier and letting him out to run and play only during the coolest part of the day, and I am letting him and his lady stay in the big hutch at night. The woman I got him from a couple of years ago bought him from a farm for only $2. Do most Rex\'s have this problem or is this the result of something gone wrong in the gene pool?
Many Rex suffer from the tendency toward sore hocks due to thinness of fur on the pads, though thicker pads can be bred for. Indeed thinly furred pads are considered a fault in an ARBA show.
Fungus infections on the pads are also a culprit and the hot (and possibly humid) weather just contributes to the problem.
I would just plan on keeping Rex in as comfortable environment as possible. Letting him run on the ground is good. You can offer a bunny board when he is in a cage to help take the pressure off his pads. The plastic commercially available type are preferred as they are much easier to keep sanitary. Dirty surfaces can lead to infections which can really exacerbate the problem.
Charlcie Gill
Zodiac Rabbitry
Astoria, OR
http://www.zodiacsatins.com
So thin fur on the pads is maybe why he was sold for only $2. The woman who bought him wanted to breed him, and I think it is good that that never happened.
I found a dog cage for my rabbits that is 28\" wide by 42\" deep, so they now have a bigger cage in the house. I take them out to run every day in their fenced in area where their hutch is. My rex just jumps into his hutch and stays their most of the time he is outside. I think he is upset for having to come inside of the house, even though my cats are leaving him alone! I quit letting them stay outside during the night just because I want them to spend the most time where it is coolest.
Your assumption on his low price is probably a good guess, but of course that doesn\'t mean he still is not a lovable bunny. Still, it is best he was not used for breeding purposes.
Sounds like you are providing Rex with a good home.
Charlcie Gill
Zodiac Rabbitry
Astoria, OR
http://www.zodiacsatins.com
Thanks. He is a beautiful rabbit and a great pet and I am lucky to have him. I just wish I would have known more about Rex rabbits when I got him so I could have been prepared for his special needs.