Hi Susan. Nothing much has changed since I wrote this article in that I have too little experience with gabapentin to comment.

Hi Vicky. You’re doing the most important thing. There are no doubt other treatments, but they would be more experimental.

Is that the same as cold laser therapy? I would say YES, it helps! For my bunny (10 yo), I’d say acupuncture and meloxicam really helps too. The acupuncture appears to work right away (he gets more active when we get home from the vet) and the meloxicam definitely work right away too. It’s been chilly and on rainy days (including before it starts), he’s in a lot more pain. His vet gave us gabapentin last week but now I’m reading about the addictive nature etc. so will be asking the doc if I can save that for especially bad days. I’m also trying to get him PEMF therapy (Assisi loop or via a multitasking infrared mat). Another thing that really really helps is an infrared light bulb (like those chicken/farm brooder lamps) and/or also a black-out (non light emitting) terranium lamp (sold for reptiles). If I don’t have on of those on, he’ll be in a lot of pain. We live together indoors (my rabbits are free roam era) and he has the choice to be near or under the lamp or move away as is most comfortable. Be ready for lot of happy noises and purring from being near the warmth! BUT be sure you’re able to monitor and be present when the lamps are on cause they can start fires or kill!!

It’s much more evident when they move, and especially when they jump.

I’m not an expert but my rabbit has arthritis mainly in one hind leg. I can only assume that you would struggle greatly to stand up if you only had one leg.

Hi David. That really is a question, best addressed to your vet who knows your rabbit’s other health issues, but my view is that pain should always be best treated and that risks are worth taking in most cases for the quality of life gains. I usually treat rabbits daily in my clinic. However, it’s a decision that is very personal.

My rabbit is 8 and has been having trouble with arthritis, my vet recommended we do laser therapy for him and we’ve been doing laser therapy sessions for 5 months now. The laser therapy definitely did help my bun and relieve some some problems due to his arthritis, but I’m not sure if it wears off or if his arthritis visit got worse because it’s not working as it used to and he’s having trouble urinating in his litter box. Laser therapy is definitely worth a shot in my opinion though!