Spondlyosis (sp)

Question
QUESTION: My vet has diagnosed my 8 year old female French Lop - Flopsy - with arthritis - spondlyosis (sp) bridging.  She has always been a house, litter trained loveable friend.  My vet has her on 1.5 ml of Metacam twice a day and lately Baytril 2.3 1 pill twice a day.  Reason for Baytril is because of her arthritis she has continually had a problem with urine burn.  She gets "butt" baths only a couple times a week and is thoroughly dried each time.  She has a friend bunny Mimz (rex neutered male).  Any way we can heal her bun and make her life easier?  They have free run time while we are home and by 8 pm they run back to their cage and rest on their own.  They get fed green leafy veg, rhomaine lettuce, small amount of carrot, little banana and little apple plus their pellets and all the timothy hay they can eat.  Their litter box is cleaned twice a day.  I find that Flopsy does dribble some so have a towel near their litter box and hay bowl.

Any extra information to help Flopsy is greatly appreciated.  

Sharon

ANSWER: Dear Sharon,

I wish there were a cure for this problem, but there isn't.  Spondylosis is a degenerative, arthritic condition that can't be cured, though there is palliative treatment.

I know people who absolutely swear by Cetyl-M:

http://responseproducts.com/

We buy the horse version for rabbits, though it's expensive because you need to buy such a large container.  Any formulation has the same active ingredient, though, so pick your "poison."  :)  You can shop for it here:

http://tinyurl.com/2332s4q

Cutting down the side of her litterbox will make it easier for her to enter and exit, and help her maintain her litterbox habits.  Keeping the fur around her urogenital area shaved short will also help keep her clean and prevent urine from collecting in the fur, where it burns.

If you need to bathe her, though, here are some tips to keep her dry and comfortable:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/buttbath.html

I hope this helps, and you can get her feeling spry in no time!

Dana



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I want to thank you for your quick answer to my question.

My vet was very interested in what you had to say about Cetyl-M.  She feels that we could slowly build up her system with the Cetyl-M as we reduce the adequin shots. What would you recommend using for a dosage as we reduce her adequin shots to get solely to the Cetyl-M  She is glad that this is plant based rather than animal. Again, Flopsy is a French Lop and weights 8 pounds and is going to be 9 years old later this summer.

I appreciate your help and am excited to keep Flopsy feeling well and moving around playfully.

Thank you for your help!

Sharon

Answer
Dear Sharon,

Sorry for the delay!  Middle school ecology program has stolen my life!

No one really knows the dose for a bunny.  But we usually administer about 1/2 tsp. per day, rolling a thin banana slice in the granules so it's coated.  (naughty treat!) You also can sprinkle the granules on other food (pellets).  Bunnies seem to love the taste, so getting them to eat it usually isn't a problem.

I hope it helps Flopsy!

Dana