Osteophytes, Bone spurs, Bone outgrowth

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E. Besomi

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of an osteophyte in the human knee joint (inside circle)

Bone spurs, also known as osteophytes, are a result of bone growth, typically occurring in areas where the bone is under abnormal pressure. The term "spur" is the official designation. Bone spurs are characterized by their round, smooth structure with a slow growth rate. As the growth reaches a certain size, there is a possibility that it will compress the adjacent blood vessels and nerves. The condition is characterized by the onset of pain and inflammation, with a low likelihood to cause muscular atrophy. These are typically observed in the joints and spine.

The initial treatment includes usually rest, and the administration of pain medication. NSAID analgesics (e.g., meloxicam) are drugs of choice as they reduce both the pain and the inflammation caused by bone spurs. The pain medication does not need to be given on a daily basis, once or twice a week may be enough. Removal of osteophytes is a last resort surgery. Indeed, this kind of surgery may worsen the problem, in other cases the bone spurs are placed in such difficult location that it is impossible to reach them for surgical removal.

Since a few years, glucosamine/chondroitin has been used to manage arthritis in rabbit.

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 transferred to the 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.

It is important to note that these products do not provide immediate relief. Typically, a period of four weeks is required for their positive effects to become apparent.

Cosequin and Adequan are not effective in addressing pain, so the use of pain medication is recommended. 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.

This article also describes other NSAID analgesic drugs that are used in rabbits here.

Acknowledgement

Thanks are due to Frau E. Besomi and Akira Yamanouchi, VEIN (Veterinary Exotic Information Network), for their permission to use their pictures.

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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