Glucosamine?

I have always had problems with little cookies bum, its always dirty, her soft stools that she should eat were sometimes left and now they are always left, she has been at the vets, her health seems fine, she gets the odd cold. She gets the colds when winter starts and when summer starts and is regularly sent for her antibiotics these times each year. She is generally just a weaker rabbit. As she is the only rabbit with these symptoms out of 7 and the vets rule out the usual reasons I was reading up about artheritis in the spine. They say that certain rabbits can have a very early artheritis in the spine which limits mobility.

A. We have always laughed at her hop because it just seems extra animated
B. she is always sits more hunched
c. she is always over weight regardless of a diet and her friends loosing weight
d. When I groom her bum she cant reach where she wants to scratch so just itches me and her chest.
e. She never seems to clean her bum so I dont think she can reach

This all makes me think she could have an artheritis which would be easy enough to keep ontop of. I used to use Glucosamine on my horse for her artheritis and there was a huge difference. My mum takes it in the winter for hers and we have used it on other animals, its a very safe supplement and I am finding as the temps drop shes worse. Do you think its worth trying a sprinkle of glucosamine on some vegies she likes in the mornings and seeing if theres a difference.

My Bertie had arthritis in his spine at a few months old. (see this thread - from this post onwards https://happyhoppers.forumotion.co.uk/t6072p40-bertie-again-i-m-afraid-u-d-back-home-well#78499 )

Cookie really needs an X-Ray to determine if it is arthritis I'm afraid. Glucosamine is a good supplement, and works on some rabbits, but it doesn't relieve pain, and the longer it goes on, the more chance Cookie has of going into stasis regularly, because of pain.

If she can't eat her soft poos, then this can get quite serious, as they contain concentrated nutrients. If it is arthritis, then you she most likely be prescribed Metacam, which is a Non steroidal Anti inflamatory medicine. It reduces inflamation, and relieves pain.

After we had Berts diagnosed, he was put on this, and within two days he was a different bunny. His ability to exercise properly brought his weight down, and this really helped with his arthritis too.

We went to a specialist for a diagnosis, because our vet, at the time, was not great. I learned a lot about this along the way, so please feel free to ask anything

Thanks for the info. I will save up a bit and get her in. I always have money aside for vets bills but I have been chipping into the cats vets bills along the way, have extremely little income at the moment and I know what dylans bill came to when they done very little for him. Should have the money within 10 days. Glad somebody else has experience of this and I am not just imagining things.

After reading this again, I should really say that a veterinary consultation is all you need at this point, and they are usually between £15 and £25. Making the assumption that it is arthritis is not ours to make really, so when you have the cash, I'd get her in for an examination, and see what vet has to say

Our Lil is on a quarter of a tablet, we get our veggie ones from health span and crush it up. She had weak back legs and now she is like a mad rabbit running around (apart from her other illness's)

Shes had plenty consultations but the 2 vets that treat my rabbits are the type that you tell them whats wrong and get back "yeah.. I think your right, hmm." So will probably have to push to have anything checked.

My mums been a vet nurse for many years in her younger day and agrees it sounds like it fits so will get her to come with and see if the vets will make more effort.

Thing is you probably are right, but the problem with arthritis is that you do need a confirmation to treat it, as you do with anything serious. I would ask them first if they are confident to recognise arthritis on an X-ray. If not, then you should be referred, really.

I hope he is better soon love, please keep us in the loop.

Hugs

Jo xx

I hope you find out whats happening soon,it does sound like arthritis to me but like Jay said, we cant make those assumptions

Any news love?

Hugs

Jo xx

not got her down yet, shes been cleaner this week. just putting money aside as if they xray they will knock her out and thats what they charged a fortune for with dylan even though he was wide awake for his as he was so ill.

Yes X-rays are expensive aren;t they love? I hope he is much better today.

Hugs

Jo xx