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arthritis/muscle degeneration - FAO of Jane ?? Anyone??

Luciuslop

Luciuslop

Alpha Buck
Bigwig ( my frenchie boy ) is 5 years and 9 months old. He has had weak and wobbly back legs for awhile, which has just got progressively worse. This morning he had real trouble standing up and had to be lifted onto his feet. Once on his feet he was ok and hopped off after Lucius at a surprising rate of knots. He takes high strength Glucosamine, but in all honesty it doesn't seem to be doing much.

The problem is not so much down to arthritis, but more muscle degeneration in his back legs. Other than his back legs he is in very good health for his years and has a very hearty appetite still :love: He is not exhibiting any obvious signs of pain ( I know they are good at masking pain, but I would know if he was in a lot of pain ).

Been wondering about trying some steroid injections to ' pump ' up his muscles a bit. Suggestions anyone as to which is best to try ???

Here is a piccie of my gorgeous old boy having a late night scamper on the lawn back in the summer :love::love::love:

DSCN7462.jpg
 
I can't help much:oops:, but I did read somewhere about someone using Glucosamine for stiff joints.

He looks one lovely bunny.:love:
 
Another option is that we have a few members here who uses a cart wheel to support their bun due to similar situation. And the bun (from many photo shown) is very happy running around w/ the cart wheel attach to his back.

You have to do a search in the Care or Rabbit Chat section, as I don't remember the bun's name. But this will not be as good as an option of sterile injection.
 
My old house bun had really bad muscle loss in her rear end for the last year or so of her life (she died aged about 9-ish). She had the same problem as your boy...she'd have difficulty getting up if she fell over and I had to help her to her feet, and she developed a really wobbly gait.

If glucosamine isn't working, the best thing might be to keep him on a low dose anti-inflammatory/painkiller like metacam for the rest of his life.

Don't think I'd really recommend steriods in this case, because they'd only help short term, and could cause more problems than they solve. They're more of a 'last chance' type drug when everything else has failed.

Perhaps discuss options with your vet?

Good luck :)
 
i would try metacam and as it is both an anti inflammatry and a pain killer adn amy jsut help even just small doses.... i think steroids are more a last resor tbut i remember that after dr f(jaks kanes bunrip) had a cva the steroid injections litrally gave him his legs back.. i guess i would discuss with ym vet but i do think that anti inflammatry/pain relief should definatly be an option i would pm jacks jane and hugos ther both deal with a lot of sick or elderyly buns with similar problems xx
 
I would only consider using a corticosteroid as a last resort.
A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory such as Metacam may be useful aswell as physiotherapy and acupuncture.
If he is to be on longterm NSAIDs then it would be advisable to give him an anti GI ulcer med' such as Ranitidine (Zantac) or Cimetidine (Tagamet) as a side effect of NSAIDs can be GI ulceration.
 
How long has he been on glucosomine?Willow my conti hurt his ankle when he was a year old and the vet said that there were already arthritic changes.I give all my contis a pinch of glucosamine on their food every night as they are big buns and have more pressure on their joints.I think its more effective if its started early on in life.Has your vet ruled out a spinal problem with Bigwig?
 
Thnx everyone :D

I did think that steroids would prob be a last measure. Going to book him an appointment for Fri with small animal specialist if possible. I really need to go with him to vet, but getting me there is going to be a bit of a problem as I've broken my leg in 3 places and cannot walk at moment :roll:

Wiggy is not showing any signs of pain and apart from the wobbly back end he still has mobilty in his legs. He can still hop up and down over the doorstep ( although I am trying to discourage this and get Rog to carry him ). I have tried to do some pysio exercises with him, but with my leg being bust I haven't been able to keep it up.

He's been on Glucosamine for about 12 months.
 
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