treacletrim
Young Bun
Hi everyone,
I'd love to hear people's experiences / feedback about arthritis in their bunnies, as I am new to the condition and am unfamiliar how it progresses / can flare up etc.
My bun Fred has recently been diagnosed with arthritis, he will be 7 in July. Him & his wifebun Patsy were outdoor buns but I have now brought them inside where they have adapted well. Fred started quite a while ago by leaving lots of uneaten cecals, and not keeping his bottom as clean. After thinking it may be diet related I chopped and changed a few things and managed to improve the situation, although it didn't completely solve it.
Along with the excess cecals I noticed Fred started being a little quieter and one evening in February he stumbled getting out of his litter tray and struggled to get up. He was taking longer to come down their ramp on a morning for breakfast. By next morning he was quite bad, very poor movement, short stiff hops, uncoordinated, and not being able to pick his feet up well. He seemed worse around his back end which has lost muscle mass gradually and quite weak around there. I whipped him to the vets scared he had EC and although the vet didn't think it was (he had no head tilt, although I know they don't always) he was treated with panacur for it and given a short course of metacam. Vet suspected arthritis at this point. After a couple of days on the metacam the difference was striking and he was running round much happier, eating really well and picking his feet up better. After finishing the short course of metacam, a few days later the excess cecals were back and he was a little unsure in his movement. Another trip to the vets and after a good examination and joint flexions the vet was sure he had arthritis, so he is now on metacam long term. It has definitely made a big difference and I have also started him on the Oxbow Joint support. The vet didn't see the point in an x-ray to confirm what was quite obvious, and to save him undergoing a GA. Fred has been on both meds for about 3 weeks now so hopefully the oxbow will take effect before long.
His progress has been really good and aside from the odd wobble when he tries to do anything too flexible, he is moving stronger, getting in and out of his litter tray fine and keeping himself clean. He runs round in circles when it's food time and has been very sprightly. However he had a set back just over a week ago which came on really quick and surprised me. I let them have a little time in the garden on a warm day which they enjoyed, and Fred even managed a few binkies. However the next evening he was off his food a little, and then again the morning after his movement was very poor again, just like the first time. He was off his food and hunched, and obviously in some pain. Another visit to the vets where he had a stronger painkilling jab, gut stimulant and a course of antibiotics just to be on the safe side, and of course continuing with the metacam. A couple of days later he had again perked up loads, was eating very well and flopping out relaxed again. He is now almost back to what is now good and normal for him, although I tentatively await another flare up.
Being new to all this, and having never had an older bun before I'd be interested to hear other people's experiences. I was surprised at how quickly the second 'attack' came on but am wondering whether he strained himself doing the binkies? I am aware it is something that will progressively get worse over time, but is it usual for it to just quickly flare up like that? I suppose it does in people, who have 'off days'? Because he is an older bun and didn't have the best care before we got him, we have now decided to keep them both indoors where we can keep an eye on him in particular, and get pampered in his old age (well they both will!). I have made alterations to their set up (lots of vet bed cushioning, low fronted litter tray, memory foam mats etc!) but if anyone has any other suggestions for how I can help him that would be fab. Thank you x
I'd love to hear people's experiences / feedback about arthritis in their bunnies, as I am new to the condition and am unfamiliar how it progresses / can flare up etc.
My bun Fred has recently been diagnosed with arthritis, he will be 7 in July. Him & his wifebun Patsy were outdoor buns but I have now brought them inside where they have adapted well. Fred started quite a while ago by leaving lots of uneaten cecals, and not keeping his bottom as clean. After thinking it may be diet related I chopped and changed a few things and managed to improve the situation, although it didn't completely solve it.
Along with the excess cecals I noticed Fred started being a little quieter and one evening in February he stumbled getting out of his litter tray and struggled to get up. He was taking longer to come down their ramp on a morning for breakfast. By next morning he was quite bad, very poor movement, short stiff hops, uncoordinated, and not being able to pick his feet up well. He seemed worse around his back end which has lost muscle mass gradually and quite weak around there. I whipped him to the vets scared he had EC and although the vet didn't think it was (he had no head tilt, although I know they don't always) he was treated with panacur for it and given a short course of metacam. Vet suspected arthritis at this point. After a couple of days on the metacam the difference was striking and he was running round much happier, eating really well and picking his feet up better. After finishing the short course of metacam, a few days later the excess cecals were back and he was a little unsure in his movement. Another trip to the vets and after a good examination and joint flexions the vet was sure he had arthritis, so he is now on metacam long term. It has definitely made a big difference and I have also started him on the Oxbow Joint support. The vet didn't see the point in an x-ray to confirm what was quite obvious, and to save him undergoing a GA. Fred has been on both meds for about 3 weeks now so hopefully the oxbow will take effect before long.
His progress has been really good and aside from the odd wobble when he tries to do anything too flexible, he is moving stronger, getting in and out of his litter tray fine and keeping himself clean. He runs round in circles when it's food time and has been very sprightly. However he had a set back just over a week ago which came on really quick and surprised me. I let them have a little time in the garden on a warm day which they enjoyed, and Fred even managed a few binkies. However the next evening he was off his food a little, and then again the morning after his movement was very poor again, just like the first time. He was off his food and hunched, and obviously in some pain. Another visit to the vets where he had a stronger painkilling jab, gut stimulant and a course of antibiotics just to be on the safe side, and of course continuing with the metacam. A couple of days later he had again perked up loads, was eating very well and flopping out relaxed again. He is now almost back to what is now good and normal for him, although I tentatively await another flare up.
Being new to all this, and having never had an older bun before I'd be interested to hear other people's experiences. I was surprised at how quickly the second 'attack' came on but am wondering whether he strained himself doing the binkies? I am aware it is something that will progressively get worse over time, but is it usual for it to just quickly flare up like that? I suppose it does in people, who have 'off days'? Because he is an older bun and didn't have the best care before we got him, we have now decided to keep them both indoors where we can keep an eye on him in particular, and get pampered in his old age (well they both will!). I have made alterations to their set up (lots of vet bed cushioning, low fronted litter tray, memory foam mats etc!) but if anyone has any other suggestions for how I can help him that would be fab. Thank you x
) Often they lose weight, but if you can keep an eye on that (either getting him weighed at the vets regularly, or investing in some baby scales yourself) then it's a rough guide as to how he's feeling, and also the weight he'll be managing on his legs.
