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Anyone with Arthritic bunnies....

R

ripminnie

Wise Old Thumper
Daisy is getting on a bit now, and despite a pretty high dose of twice daily metacam, she is really struggling with her back legs :( I know that some of you have bunnies on tramadol for this, and just wondered, is that as well as metacam or instead of? I am due to take her to the vets soon, so am thinking of asking can we try tramadol. Do you give it in capsule form (obviously split open) or tablets? Are they modified release or normal? And what dose is your bunny on, and what do they weigh? Thanks in advance :wave:
 
I have had several arthritic Rabbits on both Metacam and Tramadol together. Enya is at the moment. The Tramadol is in 10mg tablets, normal release. I believe my Vet uses a dose rate of 2-4mg/kg twice a day. Your Vet should have a copy of the BSAVA Exotics Drugs Formulary which has full details of the dose rates.

http://www.bsava.com/Publications/Membershippublications/BSAVAExoticPetFormulary.aspx

Some of my arthritic Rabbits have also benefitted from Acupuncture.
 
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Jack's-Jane said:
I have had several arthritic Rabbits on both Metacam and Tramadol together. Enya is at the moment. The Tramadol is in 5mg tablets, normal release. I believe my Vet uses a dose rate of 2-4mg/kg twice a day. Your Vet should have a copy of the BSAVA Exotics Drugs Formulary which has full details of the dose rates.

http://www.bsava.com/Publications/Membershippublications/BSAVAExoticPetFormulary.aspx

Some of my arthritic Rabbits have also benefitted from Acupuncture.
Click to expand...

Thanks Jane, that's a great help :) I had no idea you could get 5mg tablets! I work in a pharmacy and the lowest strength we have is 50mg, which I thought would be far too much for a bunny!!
 
ripminnie said:
Thanks Jane, that's a great help :) I had no idea you could get 5mg tablets! I work in a pharmacy and the lowest strength we have is 50mg, which I thought would be far too much for a bunny!!
Click to expand...

Sorry, I meant 10MG tabs.

Got rather a lot on my mind atm xx
 
I have a bunny with arthritis just on Metacam as his isn't too bad.He is indoors a loves the heat from a halogen heater near(tho not too near!) his pen.Im sure it helps ease the aching.A radiator would do just as well im sure if Daisy is indoors.
 
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hoppetylop said:
I have a bunny with arthritis just on Metacam as his isn't too bad.He is indoors a loves the heat from a halogen heater near(tho not too near!) his pen.Im sure it helps ease the aching.A radiator would do just as well im sure if Daisy is indoors.
Click to expand...

Thanks, Daisy is indoors, but she's free range downstairs, and never ever sits near the radiator!! Silly girl! Olly on the other hand, can usually be found flopped out under the radiator in my bedroom... And he's not arthritic at all!
 
When we had an old girl here with arthritis she seemed to improve with acupuncture. The specialist vet that did it also recommended a supplement for arthritis, but I can't remember the name of it now.
 
ripminnie said:
Daisy is getting on a bit now, and despite a pretty high dose of twice daily metacam, she is really struggling with her back legs :( I know that some of you have bunnies on tramadol for this, and just wondered, is that as well as metacam or instead of? I am due to take her to the vets soon, so am thinking of asking can we try tramadol. Do you give it in capsule form (obviously split open) or tablets? Are they modified release or normal? And what dose is your bunny on, and what do they weigh? Thanks in advance :wave:
Click to expand...

I use Metacam for arthritic bunnies, although you have to be careful about the kidney implications, especially as they are getting older.

There's some good info on analgesia in rabbits here:

http://www.medirabbit.com/Safe_medication/Analgesics/safe_analgesics.htm

I have had rabbits that struggle with their hind limbs, but not always because they are in pain. Sometimes because they are stiff or weak. In that case I find physiotherapy really helpful.
 
MightyMax said:
I use Metacam for arthritic bunnies, although you have to be careful about the kidney implications, especially as they are getting older.

There's some good info on analgesia in rabbits here:

http://www.medirabbit.com/Safe_medication/Analgesics/safe_analgesics.htm


I have had rabbits that struggle with their hind limbs, but not always because they are in pain. Sometimes because they are stiff or weak. In that case I find physiotherapy really helpful.
Click to expand...

Thanks :) Daisy had X-rays that showed pretty bad arthritis in both hip joints, and one of her front legs... That was a couple of years ago now, so they must have become considerably worse since then :(
 
Acupunture was the only thing that improved my bun with sponylitis. He also has the oxbow joint support tablets (they are more like biscuits) I buy them From Viovet.
 
bisc has spondylosis and is on a high dose of metacam - 1.5ml twice per day. he weighs just under 2.2kg at the moment. the vet said those that need it this high are few and far between but unfortunately for bisc, he just doesn't cope well with the inflammation and needs this dose to remain comfortable x
 
Mini is on tramadol and metacam for her arthritic hip. Her tramadol is in liquid form, she has 0.1ml once a day along with 0.4 ml metacam (at least, I think it's 0.4, I know where it is on the dog syringe :oops:). She's about 1.5, 1.6kg.
 
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Elena said:
Mini is on tramadol and metacam for her arthritic hip. Her tramadol is in liquid form, she has 0.1ml once a day along with 0.4 ml metacam (at least, I think it's 0.4, I know where it is on the dog syringe :oops:). She's about 1.5, 1.6kg.
Click to expand...

Thanks for this, you're the first person I've seen to be using liquid tramadol! I think that would be easier... :)
 
ripminnie said:
Thanks for this, you're the first person I've seen to be using liquid tramadol! I think that would be easier... :)
Click to expand...

She doesn't like it very much, but she does take it ok, better than things like Baytril anyway! It also helps that it's only a tiny amount.
 
Our girl pepper had slight arthritis (& a possible nerve tumour). She was on metacam, tramadol and gabapentin. We also did acupuncture which she done really well with :D we used liquid tramadol as we just could not get the tablets into her ! hope your bun feels better soon xx
 
Been reading this thread with interest. Theo has arthritis in his back legs and spondylitis ( not been confirmed by x - ray, just vets considered opinion based on observable facts, etc. ) He has been taking Metacam at 0.2mls on the dog syringe once daily for past 18 months or so. I think the dog syringe is not the same as an ordinary 1 ml syringe?? He has other health problems as well with an ongoing ear infection. His mobility is not great, he has good days and bad. On his good days he is over confident and tries to do stuff he shouldn't. On bad days he cannot stand up let alone hop/ run, although his ear problem could be affecting his balance as well. He has changed to Zithromax and seems much better on that as regards how he feels - I suspect the Depocillin being penicillin based might have made him feel a bit yucky.

I am wondering if his Metacam dose is not high enough and if I should ask vet about him having the Tramadol as well? How do I tell if he needs a higher dose and/or Tramadol. I'm not as good at reading buns as I am with Rats. Worried about pumping in even more drugs. Got another bun being spayed tomorrow, so would be great if I had some info to take with us.
 
Just wondering, those of you with buns on tramadol... At what point did you decide that metacam wasn't enough? Daisy still hops about ok, she just struggles with cleaning herself and scratching her ears etc.. She is worse on damp days. On frosty mornings she is really happy, and runs around the garden!!
 
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