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has anyone else got spinal arthritic bunnies?

winnies angel

winnies angel

Mama Doe
Jack has arthritis of the spine (we think) and the vet has put him on long term metacam now but I read about 2 other meds which were good for arthritis of the spine but which weren't a steroid and wondered if anyone else used these and what there side effects were (if they would be better in long term)
Carprofen (Rimadyl) & Flunixin meglumine (banamine)
cheers
 
Metacam is not a steroid, I'm almost certain of that. It's an anti inflammatory, I can't remember the correct name for this type of medication.

My Gypsy has arthritis in her spine and is on a low does of medacam. She also has food with glucosamine added, which also seems to help.

I have heard that turmeric is good for arthritis, but I have not tried it yet.
 
Metacam is a non steroidal anti-inflammatory.

Roxy has arthritis of the hips and spine among her other problems. She is on Metacam and it doesn't appear to concern her x
 
Flora is nine and a half and has arthritis of the lower spine. She finds it hard to bend down to her nether regions and has a very wobbly gait with one back foot that tends to fall underneath her body and make her tip to one side. If she gets knocked by Benji, she falls over. But that said, she still really enjoys life and bombs around the garden in her own wobbly way :D. She's on daily Metacam and doesn't seem to suffer any ill-effects from it. I would give her glucosomine but I've not found one that's vegetarian.

ETA - I've also just bought her one of these for the winter http://www.petnap.co.uk/acatalog/petnap.html as I feel that heat will help keep her comfortable. The 40cm pad fits perfectly into a large gravel tray which she currently uses to sit in. I've bought the fleece cover to go over it too.
 
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Thanks guys yeah my other bunnies were on metacam long term one for 6 years and one for arthritis of the jaw.I know all the side effects etc about metacam and have signed the concent forms millions of times that it will shorten there lives, damage there insides etc etc (all the horror stories you are told from the vet) but I came across an article which said that Carprofen and Flunixin Meglumine was good but without the long term damage of steroid based meds and wondered what and if anyone had tried these and what they were like compared with metacam.
Obv I want to help my buns and know quality of life is far better than quantity but if I could have both quality and quantity (im greedy) then I want it! ;)
 
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