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Arthritis Medications?

0XBunnyta

Warren Scout
The time has come again to take my elderly bun to the vets, swear shes there every bloody week, i'm such a worry wort :lol: She has been on metacam for a while now for her arthritis but it's just not cutting it. Our golden retriever has been diagnosed with cancer (all happens at once doesn't it :roll:) so she was on metacam but it didn't make much difference so she got put on tramadol and wow. She went from laying next to us whimpering to laying in her own bed sleeping like her usual self. I know a couple of people who use tramadol for their guinea pigs and due to the success I've seen with my dog I was wondering if anyone's buns have been on tramadol and if it would be a good idea to ask at the vets about putting Tina on some?

As well as this she is having re-occuring eye issues. Her teeth are fine, they've been filed not long ago and she doesn't have any dental issues in general, it was just through time that she required it. It *could* be her roots i suppose but for an X-ray diagnosis and the fact that it's cleared up with isathal gel to come back weeks later makes me think that's a leap because it would surely be a constant issue. Conjunctivitis as has been diagnosed but could it be anything else or? one vet told us 'allergies' :roll: Last time she went under she was at the vets from opening until close because she couldn't shake it and they wanted to keep her overnight but felt I was capable enough to know when to bring her to the emergency vet if needed. When I did get her back she was very out of it and it scared the life out of me, so looking to avoid GA if possible with this. Wondering if since the gel is working just to ask for a prescription so I can order some for when it pipes up (but goes without saying taking her back if anything changes or it doesn't work).

Anyone else with elder buns, what kind of medication are yours on? I'm looking to get some supplements for her joints and need recommendations and anything that might help in general would be good. Setting off in an hour or so, so any suggestions welcome so I can discuss with the vet :wave:
 
The time has come again to take my elderly bun to the vets, swear shes there every bloody week, i'm such a worry wort :lol: She has been on metacam for a while now for her arthritis but it's just not cutting it. Our golden retriever has been diagnosed with cancer (all happens at once doesn't it :roll:) so she was on metacam but it didn't make much difference so she got put on tramadol and wow. She went from laying next to us whimpering to laying in her own bed sleeping like her usual self. I know a couple of people who use tramadol for their guinea pigs and due to the success I've seen with my dog I was wondering if anyone's buns have been on tramadol and if it would be a good idea to ask at the vets about putting Tina on some?

As well as this she is having re-occuring eye issues. Her teeth are fine, they've been filed not long ago and she doesn't have any dental issues in general, it was just through time that she required it. It *could* be her roots i suppose but for an X-ray diagnosis and the fact that it's cleared up with isathal gel to come back weeks later makes me think that's a leap because it would surely be a constant issue. Conjunctivitis as has been diagnosed but could it be anything else or? one vet told us 'allergies' :roll: Last time she went under she was at the vets from opening until close because she couldn't shake it and they wanted to keep her overnight but felt I was capable enough to know when to bring her to the emergency vet if needed. When I did get her back she was very out of it and it scared the life out of me, so looking to avoid GA if possible with this. Wondering if since the gel is working just to ask for a prescription so I can order some for when it pipes up (but goes without saying taking her back if anything changes or it doesn't work).

Anyone else with elder buns, what kind of medication are yours on? I'm looking to get some supplements for her joints and need recommendations and anything that might help in general would be good. Setting off in an hour or so, so any suggestions welcome so I can discuss with the vet :wave:

I am sorry to hear about your Dog :cry: At least the Tramadol seems to be keeping her a lot more comfortable.

I have cared for several elderly Rabbits. Some have had arthritis and the treatments they have received include, Metacam, Tramadol, Acupuncture, Massage, Physiotherapy. My Vet also now offers Laser Therapy

https://www.twickenhamvets.com/laser-therapy-amazing/

With regards to your Rabbits eyes, it may be that the nasolacrimal ducts are becoming bunged up with gunk. Has your Vet tried to flush the ducts ?

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00...iquesRabbit/Nasolacrimal_duct_cannulation.htm

It would be up to your Vet as to whether he/she is happy to let you have some more Isathal to have on stand-by 'just incase'. There's no harm in asking :)
 
Thanks for the reply, she hasn't had her tear ducts flushed but i'm going to ask about what the vet thinks with this since we have been trying the gel and this could be a way to move forward in the treatment and see if it helps. I'm also going to ask about the Tramadol then and just see in general what they say about her health and what not. Thinking about asking for fiberplex too? just as an aid for her gut if she does try any new medications since its basically a high fiber pre/probiotic. Im a bit OTT sometimes with trying to help her :lol: Will get some more glucosamine and chondroitin supplements too.
 
The time has come again to take my elderly bun to the vets, swear shes there every bloody week, i'm such a worry wort :lol: She has been on metacam for a while now for her arthritis but it's just not cutting it. Our golden retriever has been diagnosed with cancer (all happens at once doesn't it :roll:) so she was on metacam but it didn't make much difference so she got put on tramadol and wow. She went from laying next to us whimpering to laying in her own bed sleeping like her usual self. I know a couple of people who use tramadol for their guinea pigs and due to the success I've seen with my dog I was wondering if anyone's buns have been on tramadol and if it would be a good idea to ask at the vets about putting Tina on some?

As well as this she is having re-occuring eye issues. Her teeth are fine, they've been filed not long ago and she doesn't have any dental issues in general, it was just through time that she required it. It *could* be her roots i suppose but for an X-ray diagnosis and the fact that it's cleared up with isathal gel to come back weeks later makes me think that's a leap because it would surely be a constant issue. Conjunctivitis as has been diagnosed but could it be anything else or? one vet told us 'allergies' :roll: Last time she went under she was at the vets from opening until close because she couldn't shake it and they wanted to keep her overnight but felt I was capable enough to know when to bring her to the emergency vet if needed. When I did get her back she was very out of it and it scared the life out of me, so looking to avoid GA if possible with this. Wondering if since the gel is working just to ask for a prescription so I can order some for when it pipes up (but goes without saying taking her back if anything changes or it doesn't work).

Anyone else with elder buns, what kind of medication are yours on? I'm looking to get some supplements for her joints and need recommendations and anything that might help in general would be good. Setting off in an hour or so, so any suggestions welcome so I can discuss with the vet :wave:


Yes I have had arthritic rabbits on tramadol for pain, and metacam too :)

Personally I prefer to give my rabbit ranitidine before Tramadol, as in my experience, and others on here, it's kinder to the stomach. Rabbits have acidic stomachs, but even so, I have known them get gastric stasis through digestive upsets resulting from Tramadol.

Regarding the eye problem - you could ask the vet to do a tear duct flush, or you could use a warm compress (boiled water) on a cotton pad and gentle pressure under the eye to loosen any 'gunk' collected in the tear duct which may predispose to infection.

Good luck :)
 
He was a new vet from one of the savvy lists I found on here and I was really, really impressed with him. He was very knowledgeable if not a bit blunt :?. He explained why he didn't like certain medications and stuff but I get emotional in vet visits :lol: nothing really went in that I can relay on here. He did all kinds of physical tests and expressed her bladder and all sorts I didn't think was related but must have been and he said shes all good in her body asides the clear arthritis in her spine and knee.

He got me on a different dose of metacam and questioned the competency of my previous vets :oops: She was on 0.4 now on 0.7 (shes a nethie) once a day. I actually asked about the tramadol and his words were 'Tramadol is questionable at best for your dog never mind your rabbit' he said he would prefer to use a painkiller that started with a B (although a can't remember what it was now :lol:) but he said anything stronger than metacam to control pain that was safe for use in rabbits was an opium and going to sedate her. He said if shes not awake, or on the other scale was in pain, it's not very fair. I think he was slightly unsympathetic to my willingness to have her as a special needs bun who may need regular medications and treatment but if shes still showing me she wants to eat, she has interest in life and she can enjoy affection then I am reluctant to even consider pts if I know many people on here manage just fine with those medications.

What he was saying did make sense to me though, don't want to have her living in a haze to live comfortably because is that any way to live at all? Has anyone else considered this and have any advice or previous experiance?
 
He was a new vet from one of the savvy lists I found on here and I was really, really impressed with him. He was very knowledgeable if not a bit blunt :?. He explained why he didn't like certain medications and stuff but I get emotional in vet visits :lol: nothing really went in that I can relay on here. He did all kinds of physical tests and expressed her bladder and all sorts I didn't think was related but must have been and he said shes all good in her body asides the clear arthritis in her spine and knee.

He got me on a different dose of metacam and questioned the competency of my previous vets :oops: She was on 0.4 now on 0.7 (shes a nethie) once a day. I actually asked about the tramadol and his words were 'Tramadol is questionable at best for your dog never mind your rabbit' he said he would prefer to use a painkiller that started with a B (although a can't remember what it was now :lol:) but he said anything stronger than metacam to control pain that was safe for use in rabbits was an opium and going to sedate her. He said if shes not awake, or on the other scale was in pain, it's not very fair. I think he was slightly unsympathetic to my willingness to have her as a special needs bun who may need regular medications and treatment but if shes still showing me she wants to eat, she has interest in life and she can enjoy affection then I am reluctant to even consider pts if I know many people on here manage just fine with those medications.

What he was saying did make sense to me though, don't want to have her living in a haze to live comfortably because is that any way to live at all? Has anyone else considered this and have any advice or previous experiance?


The meds beginning with B could be Buprecare, or Buprenorphine. It can cause drowsiness and gut slow down, so it's one to watch. It's an opioid like Tramadol.

Some info here on analgesia:

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

I take on board what your vet is saying. I don't find that rabbits on Tramadol have a 'hazy' life experience, though I wouldn't have them on buprecare because of the drowsiness aspect.

Tramadol and Metacam can be given together, as one is an opioid and the other is a non-steroidal anti inflammatory. Kidney and liver damage are to be kept an eye on, but that said, they are usually well tolerated.
 
He was a new vet from one of the savvy lists I found on here and I was really, really impressed with him. He was very knowledgeable if not a bit blunt :?. He explained why he didn't like certain medications and stuff but I get emotional in vet visits :lol: nothing really went in that I can relay on here. He did all kinds of physical tests and expressed her bladder and all sorts I didn't think was related but must have been and he said shes all good in her body asides the clear arthritis in her spine and knee.

He got me on a different dose of metacam and questioned the competency of my previous vets :oops: She was on 0.4 now on 0.7 (shes a nethie) once a day. I actually asked about the tramadol and his words were 'Tramadol is questionable at best for your dog never mind your rabbit' he said he would prefer to use a painkiller that started with a B (although a can't remember what it was now :lol:) but he said anything stronger than metacam to control pain that was safe for use in rabbits was an opium and going to sedate her. He said if shes not awake, or on the other scale was in pain, it's not very fair. I think he was slightly unsympathetic to my willingness to have her as a special needs bun who may need regular medications and treatment but if shes still showing me she wants to eat, she has interest in life and she can enjoy affection then I am reluctant to even consider pts if I know many people on here manage just fine with those medications.

What he was saying did make sense to me though, don't want to have her living in a haze to live comfortably because is that any way to live at all? Has anyone else considered this and have any advice or previous experiance?

I expect the 'B' drug the 'blunt' Vet mentioned is Buprenorphine, which is an opiate and it can cause marked sedation. Many Specialist Vets prescribe Tramadol for Rabbits, but of course it is up to the individual Professional to make the decision. I have never had any of my Rabbits on Tramadol experience any adverse side effects, neither gastrointestinal or by being very sedated.

The blunt Vet probably expressed your Rabbit's bladder to check for 'Bladder Sludge' as arthritic Rabbits may be less mobile and a lack of mobility can lead to a build up of calcium deposits in the bladder (Bladder Sludge).
 
I expect the 'B' drug the 'blunt' Vet mentioned is Buprenorphine... blunt Vet probably expressed your Rabbit's bladder to check for 'Bladder Sludge' as arthritic Rabbits may be less mobile and a lack of mobility can lead to a build up of calcium deposits in the bladder (Bladder Sludge).

I called him blunt because he outright suggested it was time to let her go instead of keeping on with pain meds and I didn't expect it after knowing others on here to be fine to keep going. Yeah that's exactly what he was doing, he explained it to me it's something i just hadn't considered :wave:
 
I called him blunt because he outright suggested it was time to let her go instead of keeping on with pain meds and I didn't expect it after knowing others on here to be fine to keep going. Yeah that's exactly what he was doing, he explained it to me it's something i just hadn't considered :wave:


To be fair, I was going to add to my post (but thought as you'd seen two vets already I wouldn't) that I would actually see a rabbit savvy specialist before I made any decision to PTS.

He actually doesn't sound too much like *my* sort of vet :lol:
 
To be fair, I was going to add to my post (but thought as you'd seen two vets already I wouldn't) that I would actually see a rabbit savvy specialist before I made any decision to PTS.

He actually doesn't sound too much like *my* sort of vet :lol:

I've actually been to four :oops: this vet business is a nightmare why does no where do savvy rabbit vets :( One at uni i didn't like so changed to another, then I moved back home for good and signed them up to one I also didn't like, so I found a thread on here for where I live for the guy I saw today. He was definitely the best one i've seen, I just think hes no fuss and down to business so I don't think I fully agree but then I guess from his point of view he has no attachment to Tina and just sees 'suffering' of an old animal. I have another appointment in 2 weeks to discuss further options with him though, he wants to go with the increased metacam for now before checking her over again and altering pain relief. I think he would give her something stronger if i wanted it, it's just his personal opinion hes put across today.
 
I've actually been to four :oops: this vet business is a nightmare why does no where do savvy rabbit vets :( One at uni i didn't like so changed to another, then I moved back home for good and signed them up to one I also didn't like, so I found a thread on here for where I live for the guy I saw today. He was definitely the best one i've seen, I just think hes no fuss and down to business so I don't think I fully agree but then I guess from his point of view he has no attachment to Tina and just sees 'suffering' of an old animal. I have another appointment in 2 weeks to discuss further options with him though, he wants to go with the increased metacam for now before checking her over again and altering pain relief. I think he would give her something stronger if i wanted it, it's just his personal opinion hes put across today.


Oh I see, four vets :oops:

Well no one can say you don't try!

Perhaps stick with this one then - upping the Metacam may help. I find Tramadol quite good for painful arthritis, but as I say, I use it with ranitidine (to protect the stomach from ulcers and gastric upsets). He may not agree with that.

Yes, he doesn't have the same attachment to Tina, but in my experience, a good vet also has a decent 'bedside manner' with the owner :)
 
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