• Forum/Server Upgrade If you are reading this you have made it to the upgraded forum. Posts made on the old forum after 26th October 2023 have not been transfered. Everything else should be here. If you find any issues please let us know.
  • Please Note - Medical Advice

    Please keep in mind that posts on this forum are from members of the public sharing personal opinions. It is not a replacement for qualified medical advice from a veterinarian. Many illnesses share similar symptoms but require different treatments. A medical exam is necessary for an accurate diagnosis, without which appropriate treatment cannot be given.

    You should always consult your vet before following any suggestions for medication or treatment you have read about. The wrong treatment could make your rabbit worse or mean your vet is unable to give the correct treatment because of drug interactions. Even non prescription drugs can do harm if given inappropriately.

    We are very grateful to members who take time to answer other members questions, but please do be clear in your replies that you are sharing personal experience and not giving instructions on what must be done.

    Urgent Medical Advice: If you need, or think you might need, urgent medical advice you should contact a vet. If it is out of working hours phone your vet's normal number and there should be an answer phone message with instructions on what to do.

Arthritis

M1cha3la

New Kit
Hi everyone,

So glad to find this forum just sad it was not sooner and I come with a health query :(

Toby is a 8 year old house bun, who apart from a bout of GI stasis a few years ago is generally fit and well. I noticed about a week ago that he was not putting weight on his back leg, alternating between left and right. Anyway I gave it a week incase it was just a pulled muscle ect. Well it didn't get better so I took him to the vets on Monday. She had a good feel and has said that its arthritis in the spine and has given him metacam on an ongoing basis.

I guess I am here because I am being paranoid, but a few things worry me:

1, can they just tell its arthritis from feeling? Surely he needs a scan?
2, the Metacam is for dogs? Is that ok for him to take? My vet advised she is not licensed for rabbits meds..
3, I read that Metacam is not great for buns guts? As Toby has had stasis, is this a good idea?
4, my vets not licensed for rabbit meds?? Is this normal?

Sorry for the rant, I am just so worried for my furbaby. I have always trusted my vet, but then we have had no major problems before and now they say they are not a rabbit specialist and I dont know if I should seek a second opinion?

Thanks in advance guys xx
 
Hello there. I can answer some of your questions and hopefully someone else will be along.

I don't know if a Vet can tell if a rabbit has arthritus by just feeling. A lot of older bunnies do get a little arthritic and are on a daily dose of Metacam. This relieves the pain and doesn't seem to have adverse effects. Some bunnies are on quite high doses for prolonged periods. Yes it usually is the dog Metacam which Vets prescribe for rabbits.

I think it's normal for Vets not to be licensed for rabbit medicine.

Hope this helps.
 
Arthritis is very common and can sometimes be diagnosed without x-rays. Obviously x-rays would give a clearer picture of what is going on but that would involve an anaesthetic on an older bunny so tbh I think trying metacam first to see it if helps is a good option.

Yes dog metacam is right and no it's not licenced for rabbit use but it is very commonly used. I wouldn't worry toouch about gut issues. The only real cause for concern is if a rabbit has kidney problems
 
Back
Top