Maxine has severe arthritis

[Sarita]

The vet said she has severe arthritis in her knees, hips and legs which is no wonder she cannot walk.  She is in severe pain.

We are going to give her a Glucosamine Chondrothn (sp?) supplement.

We are also going to continue the metacam and the buprephorine.  I stopped the metacam for a few days after the acupuncture and I she didn’t eat as much and then I started her back on the metacam and it made a big difference.  I am going to do low doses of the buprephorine too as needed but I am seeing that the metacam is helping alot.  

Dr. Tate said that no matter what we do as far as the holistics she thinks due to the severity of her arthritis she needs the pain medication.

She put the x-rays on a disk for me to take to the holistic vet as well.  So I will see what she can do once she see’s the x-rays.

We also think she may be alot older than we think she is.

[MimzMum]

Poor Maxine! I can understand chronic pain. I wish her all soothing comfort possible and hopefully the condition can be successfully managed for high qulaity of life.
At least you live in Texas, Sarita. I think it would be much worse for her if you lived somewhere farther north…even a mildly cold/wet day here in the low 60’s is enough to set off my bone/joint pain and make it almost not worth getting up in the morning. Thank goodness for the bunnies needing their daily routines, or I might not! ^_^
How old is Maxine and how old is your revised estimate now?
*much love and warm cuddles for Maxine*

[KatnipCrzy]

Sarita- so sorry to hear about Maxine!  I know most dogs and cats respond well to glucosamine therapy (Cosequin).  Hopefully the Metacam will get the pain/inflammation under control and in less time maybe you will be able to dose less or every other day. 

That is awesome what you are doing to make Maxine feel better and that your vets are working to get the best results for her thru traditional and holistic medicine!

I have virtually no experience with holistic medicine and I find it interesting to hear about personal stories and results.

[Monkeybun]

Poor bunbun. *snuggles* I know arthritis can hurt like hell, at least shes got someone good to take care of her

[Sarita]

Well, it’s funny I’ve just looked at when I got her which was on August 20, 2004 – 5 years from tomorrow. She was definitely full grown and the animal shelter had no idea about her age or anything at all because she was part of an eviction along with some dogs…so they just weren’t full of information. So I do know she is over 5 years old and can only guess that she may be around 8 years old or so – but that is just purely a guess on my part. I do know she was spayed when I got her because the vet started the spay and then called me to ask lots of questions because she said she was already spayed which is highly unusual for a rabbit, especially a big white rabbit and she has a tattoo in her ear as well. I wish I had more information on her because it sounds like she’s been around.

It’s true, we have the heat here but I do have the a/c as well but it just keeps it comfortable and not too cold plus a fan in the rabbit room to help circulate the air.

Do you take the glucosamine Mimzmum?

[Sarita]

That’s good to hear Katnip about the glucosamine therapy. I’ll will update you with what the holistic vet says as well once I talk with her.

[MimzMum]

My husband used to take it, since he has constant back problems and he breaks easy. But it stopped working for him as his pain is just too intense and his condition worsens. It was a chewable kind that was quite pleasant and I’ve actually thought of trying it again, and maybe finding a canine type too for Shadow and Taiku, as they are getting on in years and creaking and groaning more than they used to.
I wonder though, if the chewy kinds are as effective as the ones you have to swallow whole?

[RabbitPam]

Maxine sounds so much like Spockie. He was 7 going on 8 when he got problems with his back legs, one in particular. And I had a daily regimen of glucosamine for him, too. If I remember right, I ground up the glucosamine and that went on his greens, which he finished. I think it stuck because I wet the lettuce first. I was giving him oil too, vitamin E I think, and would put about 3 drops into a hole I cut in an apple slice, then stuck the triangle piece of slice back in the hole to hold it there until he gobbled it up. I know I gave him a mouth syringe of metacam, and he took that well. He clearly felt better after about an hour, when he kind of dozed after eating first.

For a while I had some aches in my legs, so after he died I took the rest of his glucosamine pills for several weeks.

[KatnipCrzy]

MimzMum-

  DOg can take glucosamine/chondroitin supplements.  It is not so much about if the pills are chewable or capsules- it is if they are from a reliable company.  Gluc/chond supplements are considered “nutraceuticals” and are NOT regulated by the FDA- the same as with herbs and vitamins.  Nutramax- who makes Cosequin for pets and Cosamin for humans has had independent studies done and has shown their product is as stated (correct amount of ingredients).  Vet Orthopedic surgeons have told my vet that they can see a difference in a dogs knee that has been on Cosequin/Cosamin in the increased joint fluid.  That is what the supplements are supposed to do- increase joint fluid production to help “cushion” the joint to help the cartlidege heal and lessen pain from bone on bone contact in the joint.

  Cosequin is made for pets- and Cosamin DS for humans is in capsule form and is the exact same pills as Cosequin DS capsules for dogs.  Most major pharmacies sell Cosamin DS and it is cheaper than buying the dog version (Cosequin DS).  (DS means Double Strength- but that is a typical dose for humans and lg dogs).  The dog version does come as a flavored chewable- but you will most likely find the human version much more economical.  Wal-Greens even has Cosamin on sale for 50% off occasionally.

  For bunnies you would need to use Cosequin capsules for small pets or split s Cosamin DS or Cosaquin DS capsule.  The flavored capsules  for cats (tuna flavored) and the chewable for dogs (beef flavored) is not suitable for bunnies.

  There is no danger of overdosing as gluc/chond products have little to no adverse side affects other than possible allergy to added flavorings for pets.  But most “cheaper” products could possibly not have the same amount of active ingredient as stated on the label- and there is no way to know since the FDA does not require testing it is up to the manufacturer to maintain quality control.

[jerseygirl]

Poor girl! Obviously the pain meds help, hopefully some of the alternate treatments can give pain relief also. For humans, Lyprinol is very beneficial for arthritis. I would have no clue as to its suitability for animals but your holistic vet may know something. It’s somewhat akin to omega 3 type oils.

[Deleted User]

I hope you can find Maxine a long-term relief.
My late dog had severe crippling arthritis and couldn’t get up without pain medication. I didn’t see much relief in her with chondroitin sulfate/glucosamine, but her arthritis was very progressed. I used elk antler supplement for her during her last year and after a couple of months my dog went back to being mobile and improved drastically, was even able to go without pain meds. She passed away from another medical problem. Elk antler is prescribed readily by some vets for a variety of indications but it might not be used on rabbits. I don’t know. I just remember how unbelievable it was to see my dog run without taking Bufferin anymore.

[Deleted User]

I looked for the bottle of elk antler to see what exactly it was. (Oh boy, my dead dog’s teeth marks were on that bottle…) It was given to me by a friend who was into holistic veterinary products.
It is not elk antler velvet, just elk antler powder in capsules. Maybe it’s a Canadian thing, but if you’re interested I think there are a number of mail order suppliers in my province I can email you their contacts.

[Sarita]

Thanks Petzy, I just googled this and it sounds very interesting – apparently they use this in Chinese Medicine quite a bit so I’ll ask my holistic vet about it as well. Apparently it does contain some glucosamine too and it has some anti-inflammatory agents as well. Sounds very interesting.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

{{{Maxine}}} I’m sorry Sarita

I’ve heard amazing things about glucosamine though from both people using it and from it being used with animals. We have Mikey (our dog) on a very low dose supplement with it because upon examination he has an old soft tissue injury and the start of arthritis (he’s only two!!) and Mandy my parent’s dog is on it as well (though a higher dose) and she’s doing wonderful with it.

[BinkyBunny]

I am sorry to hear about the painful arthritis, but hopefully the pain meds and whatever else you end up dong will help to make her more comfortable. Though she may have been around, she couldn’t have gotten any luckier to have you love her!

I definitely am going to soak up all this information as I have aging bunnies and this can definitely be a part of their future.

Please keep us updated

[Beka27]

I saw your xray threads before I saw this one… at least you have a good idea of what is going on now and you can begin to work on solutions…

(((Maxine)))

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