arthritis!

We have a 9-year-old guy who's always had some mobility problems but he's been able to get around OK, and until recently was able to hop into his litter box. In the past few months that's been difficult and we switched out the "box" for a tray with 2-inch sides to make it easier. He started to get urine scald and we have had to manually express urine from him to reduce his need to pee and wet his fur. The vet said his legs and hips are likely arthritic and he's not lifting his back legs far enough for the urine to clear his body. She recommended a permanent dose of Metacam to relieve the pain and hopefully get him to lift his back legs again. Has anyone's rabbit experienced this and have they been able to pee normally again? TIA!

Meloxicam (Metacam) did help my elderly rabbit not to have so much stiffness when she hopped. Eventually though, she did decline and lose her mobility from spinal disease, but she stayed on meloxicam as it did still help her be more comfortable.

Dose is important though. Rabbits metabolize meloxicam faster than other animals, so a higher dose, twice a day, is needed for it to be really effective. Inexperienced vets will often prescribe the dog dose once a day, which is too low and very likely to be ineffective for rabbits.

https://www.vgr1.com/metacam/

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

Another med that may prove helpful, and actually may help repair the deterioration, is adequan injections. A while back, a member here posted really good improvement for his elderly rabbit on the injections. So this might be worth asking your knowledgeable rabbit vet about.

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Arthritis

Our 7-yr-old rex girl was diagnosed with degenerative neurological over a year ago. She lays on her side and I express her bladder by gentle massage 3-4x times daily. Her hind and front limbs are mostly non-functioning - save for times I hold her belly to let her nibble supper salad or do towel sling therapy. Silver sulfadiazine cream (SSD) to remedy any urine scald spots has helped. So far I've learned to express so urine does not flow out on her fur or sensitive pelvic tissue.

She has annual bloodwork to check liver, kidney values, et al. for staying on Meloxicam and Tramadol. I tend to Tramadol 2x daily. She also has hydronephrosis.

@JBun, she has a recheck this week so I value your input on Meloxicam effectiveness if our once daily dose is less beneficial. ?? I will ask, too, wrt Adequan.

Gabapentin is mentioned as a pain relief in several other forums I routinely check and I hear from other bun parents who were scripted Gabapentin for their bun. As I understand Gaba' is processed thru the kidneys and if kidney function is compromised use of that pain med is detrimental. imo, it accelerated renal decline in our 12-yr.-old dutch who was special needs.

wrt peeing normally again? I cannot answer. Our dysfunctional, paresis, special needs' house buns and support companions do okay with gentle bladder pee-outs. That has been routine for the past two decades.

This is an excellent spot with the admins to learn how to care for our cherished companions. @Rabbit Run , If you're on facebook Elderbuns and Disabled Rabbits groups have excellent input.

Thank you both, this is very helpful!

TreasuredFriend said:

@JBun, she has a recheck this week so I value your input on Meloxicam effectiveness if our once daily dose is less beneficial. ?? I will ask, too, wrt Adequan.

Click to expand...

According to the study, therapeutic plasma levels dropped before the 24 hrs was up. So to maintain a consistent therapeutic level, twice daily dosing is needed.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16521861/

https://www.vgr1.com/metacam/

Dosage amount reference:

https://www.veterinary-practice.com/article/meloxicam-as-analgesic-for-rabbits

https://knowledge.rcvs.org.uk/docum...kg-vs-10-mgkg-of-oral-meloxicam-for-safe-and/

I found with my 1.5kg elderly disabled rabbit, that 0.5ml (0.75mg) twice a day, which would be a 1mg/kg/day dose, was the minimum needed to provide good pain relief for her arthritis. I did start out with the once a day dosing at 0.5ml, but found she started showing discomfort towards the last several hours of the 24 hr period. So the dosing was increased to twice a day, which provided a more consistent pain relief for the whole day. Lower doses were tried,, but weren't effective enough. She was on it long term, for about a year til she passed away at 10 yr old. I did try her on the adequan, but I think it was started too late and her spondylosis had progressed too far with too much damage already having occurred. She ended up losing mobility in her hind legs.

The member that had good results with the adequan was Mike Scone.

https://www.rabbitsonline.net/threads/running-out-of-ideas.81639/#post-1046094

https://www.rabbitsonline.net/threads/older-rabbit-with-pain-issues.68031/#post-900318

https://www.rabbitsonline.net/threads/arthritic-bunny.73453/#post-965146

https://www.rabbitsonline.net/threads/spondylosis-of-the-lumbar-spine.63665/#post-852261

@JBun, thank you for all the info and links.

I do think our DVM suggested a higher once-daily Metacam/Meloxicam dose than the option of giving my Dory 2x daily doses spaced 12 hours apart.

All the info you gave me increases my knowledge! I am persistently concerned about Dory's kidney values and will keep all your advice in mind. We do our best to provide our special needs' companions with maximum comfort based on disabilities.

Belated empathy hugs on the loss of your special needs' elderly girl.

The mods on here provide valuable input coupled with personal experiences. Very much appreciated.

From Dory's report card after recent DVM appt.
---------------------
Continue to monitor appetite, energy, comfort, urine sludge and weight.
Discussed additional things we can do for her if you feel she is uncomfortable or if you feel she is painful.
Discussed polyglycan injections:
Polyglycan is the enzyme that helps to repair cartilage, and it decreases inflammation in the joints and thickens the
joint fluid allowing it to carry more oxygen to the cartilage cells. Your pet would receive an injection SQ in the loose
skin around the neck once a week for 4 weeks, then every other week for 4 weeks, then once a month. There are no
side effects of polyglycan. We can teach you how to administer the injections at home, they do not hurt. One 2.5ml
bottle is $106 and her dose would be 0.2mls
Additionally, laser treatments here vs additional medications like gabapentin, SQ ketamine injections can be done.
------------------------

I did speak to the CVT doing Dory's laser therapy and she mentioned the polyglycan "supplement" is a _thick_ liquid. frown face,

Dory was given (upon my approval prior to analgesic dose adjustment) a temporary pain-relief injection of buprenorphine. With the low dose she was too gonked out... we won't go that pathway again. I understand that buprenorphine is surgery protocol with some DVMs.

With some of our sanctuary buns, a temp buprenorphine did assist -- but with disabled Dory we will not give a nod to that again.

Rabbit Run said:

We have a 9-year-old guy who's always had some mobility problems but he's been able to get around OK, and until recently was able to hop into his litter box. In the past few months that's been difficult and we switched out the "box" for a tray with 2-inch sides to make it easier. He started to get urine scald and we have had to manually express urine from him to reduce his need to pee and wet his fur. The vet said his legs and hips are likely arthritic and he's not lifting his back legs far enough for the urine to clear his body. She recommended a permanent dose of Metacam to relieve the pain and hopefully get him to lift his back legs again. Has anyone's rabbit experienced this and have they been able to pee normally again? TIA!

Click to expand...

You may find this helpful, including the links on the page https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/arthritis-in-rabbits/