potential arthritis info/bunny massage

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 8sd replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 12 years, 1 month ago by Sarita.

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- 03/13/2014 at 8:45 PM
  mrs. coach
  Participant
  52 posts
  I posted last week about Mrs. Coach and some minor behavior changes. She saw the vet who suspected arthritis, and prescribed a daily dose of metacam for a few weeks and then a follow up. The metacam made a really quick, noticeable change in her activity level and engagement. She had stopped running out to greet me when she saw me, which was sad for me. Now she’s her friendly, curious self again. I don’t know what our long term plan will end up being but I do trust my vet.
  
  I was looking into bunny massage… Does anyone have any experience/recommendations?
- 03/14/2014 at 10:37 AM
  jerseygirl
  Moderator
  22356 posts
  I missed the thread about her troubles. (((Mrs Coach))). That’s great you’ve seen a change on the metacam. [Edit] It is now more known that rabbits can tolerate higher doses then previously thought.
  However, it’s not cheap! There are some natural anti inflsmnatories you might find successful. Then bring out the metacam when she’s really struggling.
  
  Baleful regards recently posted about using a glucosamine+chondroitin supplement also and seeing positive results.
  I do remember several years back, one of the former forum leaders recommended cosamin DS. This is by the same company that makes cosequin for veterinary use.
  
  On massage, I do recall there was a book on this. Ill need to do a search to find the author.
- 03/14/2014 at 10:40 AM
  Sarita
  Participant
  18851 posts
  You might also see if there is a holistic vet in your area that does accupuncture.
  
  You could also ask about laser therapy – that can sometimes help as well – at least initially – it’s not a long term cure but it can help relieve some pain in some cases.
- 03/14/2014 at 10:41 AM
  Sarita
  Participant
  18851 posts
  Here’s a video that might help:
- 03/14/2014 at 11:11 AM
  jerseygirl
  Moderator
  22356 posts
  The book I was think of is:
  
  The Relaxed Rabbit: Massage for Your Pet Bunny
  by Chandra Beal
- 03/14/2014 at 11:37 AM
  mrs. coach
  Participant
  52 posts
  Thanks for the input, Jerseygirl and Sarita. I’m definitely going to make a list of potential options to ask about when I follow up with the vet. I think we caught things relatively early, but I know arthritis is a long-term thing, and we think she’s still pretty young (my guess is that she spent most of her time in a small cage before she was surrendered to the rescue, poor thing). The weather this winter has been pretty terrible, so I’m sure that hasn’t helped things, either.
  
  I offered her the Oxbow glucosamine tabs yesterday, and she didn’t seem into them. But I know there’s other ways to provide that.
  
  I think she will be into the bunny massage…I watched the video and will look into the book (though my husband might think I am a bit crazy…)!
  
  This info might be helpful for anyone else dealing with/suspecting arthritis:
  
  disabled rabbits – arthritis
  
  bunny massage
  
  (Since it’s been awhile, here she is at Christmas.)
- 03/14/2014 at 11:47 AM
  jerseygirl
  Moderator
  22356 posts
  So sweet!
  
  Her treat in this pic reminds me there was also a “old bones” mix in the BB store at one stage. Maybe she’d like that?
  
  Arthritis is common unfortunately and can affect them younger then most would think.
- 03/14/2014 at 12:00 PM
  mrs. coach
  Participant
  52 posts
  Thanks, just checked and it’s still there, so I’ll try it out when I put an order in. I saved the treat bowl and occasionally sprinkle fun things in there, so that would be a good idea for her. She’s such a grandma bun, “old bones” makes sense.
- 03/14/2014 at 12:14 PM
  Sarita
  Participant
  18851 posts
  She’s so sweet! I love the Dutch bunnies.
  
  My first experience with arthritis in rabbits was in a Dutch rabbit named Mango that I had – he did get diagnosed at age 4 so it can definitely happen at a young age.
  We did some accupuncture for him with various vets – unfortunately the vets either ended up moving or going on maternity leave which hindered that. I tried the laser therapy on 2 rabbits as well – it worked well in the beginning but as my rabbits aged and we tried it again, it was not as successful, but it was new to my vet who was very interested in trying it – so it was learning for both of us and I think if you have a vet that does that as well, it’s a good option.
  
  I did try some “massage” with my big girl, Maxine, who had severe debilitating arthritis – her leg became atrophied eventually and she became truly disabled. I did the laser with her as well.
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