My poor arthritic baby!!

[Cupcakesmom]

Hi again, everyone!!

I had posted awhile ago about Cupcake’s arthritis diagnosis. She is doing ok…not well, but ok. She is on metacam when she needs it and will be getting laser therapy starting on the 26th. What I’m wondering about is, do any of you have any ideas for a litter box? She is having trouble getting into hers. Its a “low front” but “high back so the front used to be easy for her to get into. Now she is having trouble and instead of using it, she will just go wherever she happens to be at the time. She gets around ok, but drags her back legs a bit, so I know she could make it into the box if she tried, but I think the pain is making her not want to. I tried using a cover from a plastic bin, but she pushes all of the litter off of it and still just goes where she wants. I thought about getting a hard plastic baby pool and filling it with litter, but I worry that she will try to hop out and hurt herself more. Any suggestions??

[Sarita]

I bought this because it was suggested on the disabled rabbits site:

http://www.garden.com/item/tidy-gar…ay/G22196/

It’s pretty large though and I never used it – I might if Bogie’s area was downstairs instead of upstairs.   But it seems like you can scoot the litter to just one corner if you want.  The low side is much lower than those litter trays you are talking about.  You should see if those dimensions that are listed would work for you at all.

However, there is no guarantee that this is going to work but I say give it a go if you think it might.

Let me know how her laser therapy goes – initially this worked really well for Maxine and I was happy with the results but long term it did not, but I was happy I did do it and it worked inititally for her.

[Cupcakesmom]

Thanks, Sarita! I will definately look into that box! I will try anything at this point! Its very frustrating to come home to that mess, but more than that, I worry about her and how comfortable she is. I have “dish drying mats” down for her to lounge on now, which are padded and squishy and they also take the liquid away from the object on it, but it still cant be that comfortable for her. I am anxious to start the laser therapy, even though it is pricey. They are doing 2 treatments a week for 3 weeks, then I will go back when needed. Did you take Maxine back periodically? So you think its worth it??

[Sarita]

I found some of the threads where I discussed Maxine’s arthritis – hopefully they will help you:

https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tab…fault.aspx

https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tab…fault.aspx

 

https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tab…+Container

 

 

 

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’m sorry to hear that Cupcake is having a hard time. I hope getting a new litter box helps her out.

[Cupcakesmom]

I moved her pen from one side of the room to the other last night and that seemed to help. She was about 4 feet away from the front door and about 3 feet away from the front window. So now she is nestled between the couch and loveseat and I think its warmer there. She seemed to be in better spirits today and was even back to her sassy self! She likes to pull all of the litter/mess out of her litter box….why, i dont know, but apparently having litter in the LITTER BOX is so last year!! I’ll take that as long as she is feeling better She starts her laser treatment on November 26th, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it will help her. Thanks for the help Sarita and the well wishes, LittlePuffyTail. Its nice to have people that care!!

[Cupcakesmom]

Cupcake isnt doing very well, unfortunately. I can see it in her eyes that she is in pain. She went through the laser treatments and did well, but I havent seen much of an improvement with her mobility. She drags her left hind leg now and wont support any weight on it. Next week I am taking her in to try acupuncture and I really really hope that it helps. I have 3 litterboxes for her now, but she doesnt always make it to the box. I also have a little cave (tunnel from BB) made for her with a cushy fleece blanket underneath so she has a comfortable place to lay. I dont know what to do with her…I feel so helpless and my heart breaks everytime I see her struggling to move around.

[LBJ10]

Is there another medication you could try? And what about pee pads? I’m sorry Cupcake is having so much trouble. Have you spoken to the vet about her recent decline?

[RabbitPam]

I always recommend the Palace Pet Beds which are special carpet-like swatches that are designed to absorb and wick moisture from geriatric pets and puppies, keeping them dry and soft when your pet lays on it. I had several, getting a big one on sale and cutting to size when Spockie stopped using his back legs and couldn’t get into his litter pan. Machine washable, so just had a couple and swapped them out daily.

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’m so very sorry to hear Cupcake is not doing well. I’m crossing my fingers the acupuncture gives her some relief. (((((Cupcake)))))

[peppypoo]

I don’t have very much experience with geriatric bunnies, but I just wanted to give my best wishes to yourself and Cupcake

[Cupcakesmom]

I bought some dish drying pads for her to “go on” for now. They are really nice because they are soft and squishy and they soak the liquid right up and it doesnt feel wet to the touch. She had her first acupunture appointment yesterday and she was a real champ. She didnt flinch at all when the doctor placed the needles in her back. She hasnt been eating much now and I fear that because she is in pain, she doesnt want to eat much. She has been munching on botanical timothy hay, but i dont think its enough to sustain her. I give her metacam every 24 hours and she is also on the Oxbox Joint Support supplements. I just feel so bad for her…I dont want her to leave me, but I also dont want her to suffer.

[Snowytoshi]

I’m so sorry <3 Have you talked to the vet?

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I found that puppy pee pads worked wonderful for Chuck when he could no longer find or use a litter box. I covered his area in pee pads and over top of that towels. The pee pads wick away the moisture and kept him dry and clean. Then I washed the towels and replaced the pee pads. I bought the big box-I think about 70 for 35$ so it wasn’t too bad at all. Stay away from the small packages though they are almost 2-3$ per pad, not worth it at all. Also I suggest laundering the bunny towels separate from your regular laundry-thus learned from experience lol
Instead of towels you can also buy faux lambskin blankets in a petstore, or in a fabric store. It works wonderfully for keeping them dry and it’s proven to reduce pressure (we use it in hospitals to prevent bed sores)

I know my mom has found wonderful results with glucosamine and her dog who is arthritic. Oxbow now makes a glucosamine treat, and it’s sold on this site and in some stores. It may be worth adding the treats to see if they help.

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