Introduction

• Arthritis is inflammation of a joint or joints. A more general definition is any damage to the joints. 
• Cause: different forms of arthritis have different etiologies, eg joint stability (such as after ligament damage) or trauma (such as fractures) may be precursors to osteoarthritis. A bite wound to a joint may result in septic arthritis.
• Signs: altered gait/posture, reluctance to move/exercise, urine scalding, inability to groom, behavioral changes.
• Diagnosis: clinical examination, diagnostic imaging, clinical pathology, joint tap (arthrocentesis).
• Treatment: correct underlying cause, if possible, administration of analgesia, including opioids, NSAIDs, corticosteroids.
• Prognosis: good to guarded, depending on etiology.
• Rabbits are experimental models for arthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA)

• A degenerative disease of articular cartilage resulting from excessive wear and tear .
• Secondary inflammatory changes occur.
• Rabbits are susceptible to osteoarthritis.
• Degenerative joint disease (DJD) is alternative term.
• Increased incidence with increasing age.

Gout

• Incidence in pet rabbits not described.
• Visceral, articular and peri-articular forms described.
• An inflammatory arthropathy, with urate crystal deposition in joints.

Rheumatoid arthritis

• A chronic inflammatory synovitis and arthritis, likely of auto-immune origin.

Presenting signs

• Gait abnormalities.
• Reluctance to move or exercise.
• Hunched posture.
• Urine scalding of perineum.
• Reduced grooming and unkempt coat.
• Lack of cecotrophy.
• Behavioral changes.

Acute presentation

• Sudden onset of lameness.
• Traumatic.

Age predisposition

• Generally an age-related disease; more commonly encountered in elderly rabbits.

Cost considerations

• Routine investigation (examination, radiography) and treatment (anti-inflammatories) not significantly expensive.
• Septic arthritis may involve significant laboratory costs, eg blood or joint culture.
• Medication often required long-term.
• Surgical repair of orthopedic conditions, eg ligament rupture, fracture.

Breed predisposition

• Giant breeds may become arthritis at a younger age than smaller breeds.

Special risks

• Obesity, due to extra strain on the joints.

Pathogenesis

Diagnosis

Treatment

Prevention

Outcomes

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Chiang E R, Ma H L, Wang J P et al (2016) Allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells in combination with hyaluronic acid for the treatment of osteoarthritis in rabbits. PloS one 11 (2), e0149835
• Kaderli S, Viguier E, Watrelot-Virieux D et al (2015) Efficacy study of two novel hyaluronic acid-based formulations for viscosupplementation therapy in an early osteoarthrosic rabbit model. Europ J Pharmac Biopharm 96, 388-95
• Fu X, Lin L, Zhang J et al (2009) Assessment of the Efficacy of Joint Lavage in Rabbits with Osteoarthritis of the Knee. J Orthopaedic Res 27 (1), 91-96 PubMed.
• Badlani N, Inoue A, Healey R et al (2008) The protective effect of OP-1 on articular cartilage in the development of osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 16 (5), 600-606 PubMed.
• Boulocher C, Duclos M E, Arnault F et al (2008) Knee joint ultrasonography of the ACLT rabbit experimental model of osteoarthritis: relevance and effectiveness in detecting meniscal lesions. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 16 (4), 470-479 PubMed.
• Eren A, Ugutmen E, Ozkan K et al (2008) Chondroprotective effect of salicylate and chloroquine in pyogenic septic arthritis. Advances in Therapy 25 (2), 133-142 PubMed.
• Groeneboer S, Pastoureau P, Vignon E et al (2008) Cyclodextrin polysulphate protects articular cartilage in experimental lapine knee osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 16 (9), 986-993 PubMed.
• Hayashi M, Muneta T, Ju W J et al (2008) Weekly intra-articular injections of bone morphogenetic protein-7 inhibits osteoarthritis progression. Arthritis Research & Therapy 10 (5), R118 PubMed.
• Herrero-Beaumont G, Marcos M E, Sánchez-Pernaute O et al (2008) Effect of chondroitin sulphate in a rabbit model of atherosclerosis aggravated by chronic arthritis. Br J Pharmacol 154 (4), 843-851 PubMed.
• Jackson J K, Higo T, Hunter W L et al (2008) Topoisomerase inhibitors as anti-arthritic agents. Inflammation Res 57 (3), 126-134 PubMed.
• Largo R, Sánchez-Pernaute O, Marcos M E et al (2008) Chronic arthritis aggravates vascular lesions in rabbits with atherosclerosis associated with chronic inflammation. Arthritis and Rheumatism 58 (9), 2723-2734 PubMed.
• Uchii M, Tamura T, Suda T et al (2008) Role of fibroblast growth factor 8 (FGF8) in animal models of osteoarthritis. Arthritis Research & Therapy 10 (4), R90 PubMed.
• Lo Y J, Sheu M T, Tsai W C et al (2007) Intra-articular injection of hyaluronate and indomethacin in rabbits with antigen-induced arthritis. Rheumatology International 27 (12), 1099-1111 PubMed.
• Busti A J, Hooper J S, Amaya C J et al (2005) Effects of perioperative anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating therapy on surgical wound healing. Pharmacotherapy 25 (11), 1566-1591 PubMed.
• Elmali N, Esenkaya I, Harma A et al (2005) Effect of resveratrol in experimental osteoarthritis in rabbits. Inflammation Research 54 (4), 158-162 PubMed.

Other sources of information

• Keeble E (2006) Nervous and Musculoskeletal Disorders. In: Manual of Rabbit Medicine and Surgery. 2nd edn.  Eds: Meredith A & Flecknell P. BSAVA, Quedgeley, Gloucester. pp 103-116.
• Deeb B J & Carpenter J W (2004) Neurologic and Musculoskeletal diseases. In: Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine & Surgery. 2nd edn. Eds: Quesenberry K E & Carpenter J W.  Saunders, St Louis, Missouri. pp 203-210.
• Harcourt-Brown F (2002) Neurological and Locomotor Disorders. In: Textbook of Rabbit Medicine. Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford. pp 307-323.
•  Stevens A, Lowe J S & Young B (2002) Skeletal System. In: Wheaters Basic Histopathology: A Colour Atlas and Text. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh. pp 258-267.
• Doxey D L (1983) The Locomotor System, I: Bones, Joints and Synovial Fluid. In: Clinical Pathology & Diagnostic Procedures. 2nd edn. Baillière Tindall, Eastbourne, East Sussex. pp 211-228.

Further Reading

• The Webinar Vet - Diagnosis and Treatment of Osteoarthritis in Rabbits and Guinea pigs