arthritis

Hello,
I am new to this forum and need some help.
My rabbit has got arthritis in his left back leg.He saw the vet yesterday and she gave him an anti-inflamm injection.
This has helped him but we were wondering if we could supplement his diet with anything that would help the arthritis.
Be grateful for any advice.
Many thanks

Hello and welcome :wave:

I don't have any experience of Arthritis in rabbits but I am sure someone here will and will be able to advise you. I would imagine that he will need ongoing painkillers/anti-inflammatories. There may well be herbs that could help - try here http://www.galensgarden.co.uk/galens-shop

Out of interest, how did the vet reach his diagnosis? What symptoms does your rabbit display and how old is he?

thanks for your reply.Bob our rabbit was dragging his left back leg, had been on and off for a week.The vet said it was common in rabbits t have lumbar problems and arthritis and this was probably t cause.Bob is 5yrs old. I saw hope i can help him with this.He is still eating and lively and functioning properly.

Acupuncture may be something to look into.

I also think Pretty Lupin is likely to know a lot about this because she has a bunny with severe arthritis and feeds a very wild diet so she is likely to have a lot of good info.

My ears are burning! :wave:

How was Bob's arthritis diagnosed?

I am surprised that 'dragging' was observed as this is often a symptom of other disease and isn't really typical of arthritis, nor is unilateral (one sided occurence). Osteoarthritis tends to occur to both limbs, often one more severely affected than the other but not to this extent.

I take it Bob has had Xrays of his hips and spine under GA and this is how the diagnosis was made?

Arthritis is common....ish, but not in 5yr old rabbits unless they are of the giant breeds, as 5yrs is relatively young still. I would call a 5yr old with arthritis 'early onset' to be honest.

No bob has not had xrays to diagnose! i was sooo worried about him yesturday he seamed unable to move his back legs at all but then it seamed more left sided. I am sceptical about vets advice as one vets diagnosis can differ from anothers!! I want to help him so much,he is a lion head and is very beautiful. I queried a stroke but only because i am a nurse n t symptoms seamed to fit!! What should my plan of action be then?

Many thanks for all your advice.

eggyrabbit said:

No bob has not had xrays to diagnose! i was sooo worried about him yesturday he seamed unable to move his back legs at all but then it seamed more left sided. I am sceptical about vets advice as one vets diagnosis can differ from anothers!! I want to help him so much,he is a lion head and is very beautiful. I queried a stroke but only because i am a nurse n t symptoms seamed to fit!! What should my plan of action be then?

Many thanks for all your advice.

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CVA's in rabbits, although they do happen they are not as common as many vets think - i'm talking non-rabbit savy vets here.
OA should really only be diagnosed after proper hip and spine Xrays under GA - arthritic changes and joint degeneration/remodelling will be quite visible if it is the case and the Xrays can always be sent to an orthopaedic/exotics specialist for confirmation.

The symptoms of dragging you describe sound like EC (Encephalitazoon Cuniculi) potentially and this should certainly be ruled out first, it is very common in rabbits in that many are asymptomatic carriers and stress/immune system being under parr can result in the emergence of an active EC infection. I think I would want to find another more rabbit-savy vet/ask for referral to an exotics specialist and probably start a precautionary 28 day course of Fenbendazole (Panacur/Lapizole) alongside NSAID's to reduce any neuro inflammation and see how bun goes. EC can be tested by blood test but this does not give a definite answer - only exposure.
If you post where abouts you are in the country either here or in rabbit chat someone may be able to suggest another more savy vet for you. :wave:

With periodic hindleg weakness, specifically the left hind leg, I would be wondering if that was the first sign of genuinely active EC.

Sky-O said:

With periodic hindleg weakness, specifically the left hind leg, I would be wondering if that was the first sign of genuinely active EC.

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I'm glad you agree as well Sky-O :wave:

I think this is also a symptom of EC, take a look here for info - http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/resources/content/info-sheets/ecuniculi.htm

treatment consists of a long course of Panacur together with anti-inflammatories I believe.

My bun was raising a hind leg a while ago and I worried about EC but it turned out he had a sore hock, skin was red and angry, soft bedding to rest on and careful watching saw him right.

I would suggest it is a good idea to post what area you are in and ask for a recommendation to a good Rabbit vet, unfortunatley they are not all that familiar with the species.

WOW thanks guys,its defo something i will look into.We are in the lancashire area,clitheroe a very rural area.I guess that most vets around us will have more an interest in cattle than small furries!!

I wouldn't waste any time here in case it is EC, the quicker it is treated the better as regards lasting damage/long term effects. As far as I know there would be no harm in starting a course of Panacur as a precaution. Take a look around the site using the search option for an idea of syptoms and treatments.

my 9yr old rabbit had arthritis(had x-rays, and saw rabbit savvy vet).

Her symptoms were not the same as your bunny's- she could still "run" normally but instead of hopping would walk. The symtoms were on and off but she never dragged her back legs or lost use of them.

(that is not to say your bun doesn't have arthritis)

She was successfully treated with a course of 4 injections given once a week of Cartrophen. The course was repeated at 6monthly intervals. (she lived to be nearly 12yrs)
sue:wave:

Thank you everyone for your helpful advice:bunny: i am going to pets at home tomorrow to get some panacur, i think that the vets got it all wrong.:no: think it might be E.C and going to treat for that.
wishing you and your rabbits all the best.thank goodness for this forum.will post updates on bob.

eggyrabbit said:

Thank you everyone for your helpful advice:bunny: i am going to pets at home tomorrow to get some panacur, i think that the vets got it all wrong.:no: think it might be E.C and going to treat for that.
wishing you and your rabbits all the best.thank goodness for this forum.will post updates on bob.

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It would be worth seeing another vet as well though as NSAID's are prescription only and a very important part of the treatment :wave:
Please do find another more rabbit savy vet to support you in your treatment. Having an EC antibody test done would be helpful to rule EC in or out.

eggyrabbit said:

Thank you everyone for your helpful advice:bunny: i am going to pets at home tomorrow to get some panacur, i think that the vets got it all wrong.:no: think it might be E.C and going to treat for that.
wishing you and your rabbits all the best.thank goodness for this forum.will post updates on bob.

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I think before you panacur, you should ring your vet and ask why he thinks its arthritis and does he think it could be EC?/get a second opinion from another vet.
It may not be EC, and if it is EC the treatment may be different to that bought in PAH. Note the message at the top saying Please Note- Medical Advice

(I was not in any way saying your vets had got it wrong and am not qualified to give veterinary advice-just saying my personal experience of a rabbit with arthritis)

perhaps you could look up threads about arthritis on here and threads about EC and discuss how the symptoms compare to your rabbit with your vet?

sue:wave:

Agree with others - you MUST go back to the vet for further examinations. If your vet isnt rabbit-savvy, s/he can refer you to another one - ask him/her to do this. (My 'normal' vet is good for basics but they know their limits when it comes to rabbits. For anything potentially complicated, they now routinely refer to me to a more distant vets who are more experienced with rabbits.)

If it does turn out to be arthritis, then I strongly endorse the recommendation to try acupuncture. Muppet had spondylosis last year for which the vet gave him some steroids: those got him kick started again but it was the acupuncture that gave him back his joy. He had about 8 or 9 sessions. It cost £30 a time (which I think insurers will cover). Acupuncture can treat a variety of conditions so it may be worth considering whatever the ultimate diagnosis is. (Use the search function for posts by me, there are pics etc.)

To find a veterinary acupuncturist:
www.abva.co.uk