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Advice on old rabbits and arthritis please

A

Azraelm

Wise Old Thumper
Can anyone tell me about the treatments for arthritis in old rabbits please? ie) would it just be ongoing care like Metacam?

What do you think about the use of Cortaflex HA?

Do old rabbits tend to lose their appetite?
 
I have mentioned arthritis in your other thread before seeing this!!

Christobel prescribes Metacam as an anti-inflammatory for arthritis. She has also mentioned giving Glucosomine (Veggie variety). As yet noBun of mine has had Glucosomine.

If the arthritic pain is not well controlled that can make a Bun loose their appetite. Also, oral Metacam given over a long period of time can SOMETIMES cause gastric ulceration. So maybe you could speak with the Vet re giving an anti-ulcer med like Zantac (Ranitidine) or Tagamet (Cimetidine)

Janex
 
thanks Jane, this post is for my boss' rabbit who suffers from arthritis. he is very old and my bosses are away at the moment. He seems off his food a bit so he's got a vet's appointment this afternoon.

He was on metacam originally- a drop a day, but they were concerned about giving that long term so they started him on the cortaflex. I was having my doubts it was working- and thought his loss of appetite may be because of the arthritis pain.
 
mandy said:
thanks Jane, this post is for my boss' rabbit who suffers from arthritis. he is very old and my bosses are away at the moment. He seems off his food a bit so he's got a vet's appointment this afternoon.

He was on metacam originally- a drop a day, but they were concerned about giving that long term so they started him on the cortaflex. I was having my doubts it was working- and thought his loss of appetite may be because of the arthritis pain.
Click to expand...

Hopefully the Vet will give him a thorough check-up, his teeth too .

I was getting a bit confused when you refered to an 'older Rabbit' as I didn't think Audrey was elderly!!

How unlike me to get confused....... :oops: :roll:

Janex
 
Well it is right to get the teeth checked first and maybe if they are fine give him an appetite stimulant.
If he has arthritis then we use Cartrohpen injections that the vet gives - this really does help with the pain and the stiffness :D
 
thanks will mention that.

What do you think of the use of the Cortaflex? Can it ever be truly effective?
 
Well none of my Buns have had Cortaflex but having read a bit about it here

http://www.cortaflex.co.uk/catdogproducts.html

I would certainly consider it but probably not without some anti-inflammatory back-up. My Vet only uses Metacam as an anti -inflam' for Buns as on a recent course she went on she was told that Carprofen (Rimadyl) has now been shown to be unsafe for longterm use in Rabbits as it apparently causes Liver necrosis.

I think I may look into that Cortaflex for MYSELF too...... :?

Janex
 
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