Can anyone help please?

Hello my friends

I wondered if I could have some advice please.

Mr Snuffie Snuffles, our 10 year old bunny is having trouble with his back legs. Apart from that he is fine, as greedy as even and perks up immediately when tasty morsel is offered.

However, I want to take him to the vet to be checked over. He went about a month ago to have his jab and we were assured that his back legs weren’t giving him any pain – I am not so sure. They also confirmed that he had a very healthy tummy and insides and everything working well. However I am still worried sick.

Can anyone please tell me if they have had experience with this; what the vet is likely to say and the cost? Paul thinks they may recommend putting him to sleep and not only does this give me the horrors, even though it is inevitable, but I still think he has some quality of life. He is spoilt rotten, loved to bits, sleeps next to me on my bed and has a very varied diet. Have any of you had a similar experience please?

Hugs

Jo xx

Jo have you tried glucosamine? I give Bruce Arthriaid daily at the moment but I initially started him on johnsons 4joints liquid which is available from pets at home in the medicines aisle, and is a cheaper initial outlay than the arthriaid. You just give it at the rate for cats. He has certainly been binkying a lot more since he has had it. It seems to taste good and he takes it eagerly on a mini shredded wheat.

You could trial metacam? Although I don't always rush in with drugs I have had good results with metacam in dogs, cats and ferrets. So maybe the same for rabbits. I know its good short term post op.

Jo, I've never had an arthritic bunny. But our first buns was paralyzed from what on a human would be the waist down. Even though he had no movement below that line he did well, getting around without difficulty. In fact he was the best climber we ever had! His jumps looked quite odd and he may have had to take a few more hops to get where he was going...but the logic that little fluff-head used to climb up where he wanted to get to was AMAZING. We didn't have any problem with his back end getting sores or stained. He was a little ginger Holland Lop. So adorable. He looked like someone had taken a rabbit and twisted the back half to 'flop' position...and that is the way it stayed permanently.

I guess what I am trying to say is if he is not in any pain from the reduced mobility he can still have a wonderful life you just have to adapt a few things such as a very low side on the litter box. Sending hopes and vibes for Mr Snuffie Snuffles to be happy and healthy....to love and be loved by Jo.

gentl wrote:Jo, I've never had an arthritic bunny. But our first buns was paralyzed from what on a human would be the waist down. Even though he had no movement below that line he did well, getting around without difficulty. In fact he was the best climber we ever had! His jumps looked quite odd and he may have had to take a few more hops to get where he was going...but the logic that little fluff-head used to climb up where he wanted to get to was AMAZING. We didn't have any problem with his back end getting sores or stained. He was a little ginger Holland Lop. So adorable. He looked like someone had taken a rabbit and twisted the back half to 'flop' position...and that is the way it stayed permanently.

I guess what I am trying to say is if he is not in any pain from the reduced mobility he can still have a wonderful life you just have to adapt a few things such as a very low side on the litter box. Sending hopes and vibes for Mr Snuffie Snuffles to be happy and healthy....to love and be loved by Jo.

I absolutely agree. Sending lots of vibes to you and Snuffie

Thank you my darlings for all your advice, I will certainly try what you suggest Cheryl; at least now I have some optimistic options because the little feller is so lively and certainly eats us out of house and home LOL!!

We have a vets appointment tomorrow for 11.50 but I will make a note of what has been kindly recommended on here and get some from pah on our way home. Am I right in thinking the vet will suggest an injection? I am sure I have heard or read something about it. Now however I can put it to the vet and see what he or she says. I will also mention Metacam.

Thank you for all your good wishes my dear friends and when we get back, as soon as I have Snuffie happy and settled, I will let you know.

Lots of love


JO xx

aww i'm sure he will be given the best treatment and be happy at home with you
hope all goes well

Thanks Fiver love, as I have said in another text he needs a lot of extra looking after which is a pleasure.

Hugs

JO xx

I have no suggestions, but Cheryl's sounds great I would give it a go!

Lots of nose rubs for Mr Snuffie. xx

I hope the vet has some positive news

Lots of good vibes and nose-rubs for the gorgeous Mr Snuffles

Is there any news on Snuffie, jo? Sending so many hugs xxxx

Thank you my darlings

I am overjoyed to say that Snuffie is still with us and the vet has given us metacam; half of a mil each day by syringe. He was thoroughly checked over and whilst the vet seems hopeful that this will help, there is a chance that it may not but it is the best option. Can;t cure old age I'm afraid and that is what he - is a very old bunny. Anyway, he will be spoilt more than usual today.

I will keep you updated.

Thank you so much for all your kind words and support, it really means a lot to me.

Hugs

JO xx

Hi hun, found some joint care on a site, think it was yourself that was asking about joint care for older bunny, this site has different products might be worth a little look.
http://www.petplanet.co.uk/product.asp?dept_id=720&pf_id=3470

I'm so pleased to hear the vet had a plan of action for you and Snuffie

Thats great news

my pumpkin is having the same problems with his back legs, when he needs it we give him metacam and also are now trying glucosimine... it cant do him any harm to try it , many have found it helpful.. have apost further down about arthritis in buns.

here is link https://happyhoppers.forumotion.co.uk/t17419-glucosamine-for-arthritis-in-buns

Dawn x

Thankj you my darlings for the good wishes and related links. I have book marked them for future reference.

Snuffie had his second dose today and we are keeping a very cose eye on him, I just hope it works and his little life improves.

I will keep you all posted with pleasure and thankyou again for your kind support.

Hugs

JO xx

Hi Jo,

Sorry i have only just seen this. Im glad that Snuffie has a course of action to help him feel better.

Im sending loads of vibes for him and lots of hugs and love for you x x

Thank you Katie darling for your lovely, kind message; he is quite bright today having had his second dose but we are keeping a close eye on him. He had a couple of strawberries this morning and managed to get it all over his pillow cover and down his chest so he wil be grooming for quite a while.

I will keep you informed but so far so good.

Love and hugs

Jo xx

I hope things get better for him, sending lots of vibes your way. I'd have loved to have seen him with those tasty strawberries, it sounds so cute Nibbler won't go anywhere near a strawberry!

Thank you Rachel love; he has had his third dose, has just eaten a strawbery and fallen asleep on his pillow. He is doing well.

Thank you for your kind message.

Hugs

JO xx

I would definitely give the joint care that Cheryl mentioned, it can't do any harm and if it's worked well on Bruce, Snuffie has a chance.

He could turn into a young buck again!

I'm glad he is doing well, spoil him rotten.
for you

Thank you Dotdot dear, Paul went to P@H but they didn't have any stock but it is our intention to give him some extra help, thankyou so much for the advice and I will se if I can get it elsewhere.

Thank you for the Top up vibes Gentl love.

Hugs

JO xx