Medirabbit

Arthritis and the Use of Glucosamine/Chondroitin

and the Side Effects of Gabapentin in Rabbits

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Older rabbit with arthritic feet joints (A. van Praag)

Arthritis is difficult to diagnose in animals, as the clinical signs can relate to various health problems. The signs are furthermore individual to each animal. As a result, every affected rabbit will respond in a different way. Even so, a common sign is the loss of litter habits and refusal to jump in the litter-box.

Diagnosing arthritis in animals can be challenging due to the variety of clinical signs that may be indicative of different health problems. Furthermore, these signs are unique to each individual animal. Consequently, each affected rabbit will respond in a unique manner. Nevertheless, a common indicator is the loss of litter habits and a refusal to use the litter box.

A physical examination includes the examination of the skin, the joints, the response to reflexes, and the determination of muscle strength. A pain reaction is often observed when the joint is rotated. The presence of fluid will be determined around the joints. X-rays are used to assess the extent of bone and joint destruction, as well as the presence of bone spur (osteophyte). Further diagnostic testing, including blood and urine analysis, may be required to exclude other potential etiologies.

The initial proposed treatment plan includes rest and pain management with the administration of NSAID drugs (e.g., meloxicam). These are effective in reducing pain and inflammation associated with bone problems.

Glucosamine/chondroitin have been used to treat arthritis in rabbits. There are various protocols for administering these drugs to rabbits.

For rabbits, the recommended dosage of Cosequin can be found in Carpenter's formulary. The product is to be used "at feline dose, as demonstrated by empirical evidence." Specifically, we administered Cosequin to our rabbit, starting with a dosage of 1/4 teaspoon twice daily. After one month, it was dropped to SID for maintenance.

Regarding Adequan, the recommended dosage is 2.2 milligrams per kilogram of body weight, administered via subcutaneous (SC), intra-muscular (IM), or intravenous (IV) injection, once per week for a period of four weeks, followed by a maintenance dose every fourteen days.

These products do not provide immediate relief. It generally takes four weeks for positive effects to become apparent.

Cosequin or Adequan do not relieve pain, so pain medication is recommended

Cartrophen (pentosane polysulphate sodium) is indicated for the treatment of osteoarthritis in dogs and horses. It has also been administered to rabbits suffering from arthritis, with notable success. The standard dose for dogs is equivalent to the dose used in rabbits: one injection per week for a total of four injections.

Meloxicam (Metacam) is frequently administered. The pain medication does not require daily administration; once or twice a week may be sufficient. There are no established guidelines; rather, it is an observation of the rabbit and the detection of any indications of discomfort or pain. Based on the rabbit's behavior, its habits, eating patterns, and mobility, adjustments can be made to the pain medication schedule. In one case, the rabbit exhibited regular relapses. In such cases, ketoprofen was administered as required. Typically, one or two injections were sufficient.

Other NSAID analgesic drugs for use in rabbits are described here.

Acknowledgement

I would like to express my gratitude to A. van Praag for photographing Stampi, and to Stampi for her patience.

Further information:

Williams JM, Zhang J, Kang H, Ummadi V, Homandberg GA. The effects of hyaluronic acid on fibronectin fragment mediated cartilage chondrolysis in skeletally mature rabbits. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2003 Jan;11(1):44-9.

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