📚 What Is Septic Arthritis?

Septic arthritis is infection-driven inflammation in a joint, most often bacterial in origin. In rabbits, it typically occurs secondary to wound contamination, bite wounds, dental origin (osteomyelitis), or systemic spread from infections such as urinary tract or skin wounds.

⚠️ Why It Matters

• Rapidly progressive—infected joints become painful, swollen, and can permanently damage cartilage and bone if untreated.
• Causes significant lameness and distress, often requiring pain relief and mobility support.
• Not to be mistaken for chronic osteoarthritis—needs urgent therapy to prevent irreversible damage.

🧬 Common Causes & Risk Factors

• Bacterial seeding via wounds or bites—especially from cage injuries or husbandry mishaps.
• Spread from adjacent bone infection (osteomyelitis), dental disease, or abscess.
• Immune-compromised or young rabbits may be susceptible to systemic bacteremia.
• Joint injections or puncture wounds (e.g., improper fluid therapy) may introduce pathogens.

⚠️ Clinical Signs

• Swollen, hot, painful joint—often the hock, stifle (knee), carpus (wrist).
• Lameness ranging from mild favoring to non‑weight bearing.
• Lethargy, fever, reduced appetite, tooth grinding (pain).
• Possible joint heat, warmth, and crepitus on manipulation.

🔍 Diagnostics

• History & exam: Check for trauma, wounds, bites.
• Joint tap (arthrocentesis): Analyze fluid—gravity, turbidity, WBC count, bacteria; send for culture and sensitivity.
• Bloodwork: CBC, neutrophilia, elevated fibrinogen or inflammatory markers.
• Imaging: X‑rays for joint swelling bone involvement; **bone scans** or CT if osteomyelitis is suspected.
• Culture sampling: Aerobic & anaerobic bacterial cultures to guide targeted antibiotics.

💊 Treatment Protocols

1. Immediate Support

• Hospitalize for pain relief: NSAIDs and opioids (e.g., buprenorphine).
• Start broad-spectrum IV or SC antibiotics—while awaiting culture results (e.g., enrofloxacin + metronidazole, cephalosporins).
• Joint lavage/flushing under sedation—sterile saline or antiseptic to remove debris.

2. Targeted Therapy

• Switch to culture-directed antibiotics and continue for 4–6 weeks to clear infection.
• Repeat joint taps to monitor improvement—check WBC count and bacterial clearance.

3. Surgical Intervention

• Drain and debride severely affected joints surgically.
• Correct structural damage or abscess in bone or soft tissue.

🏠 Home Care & Rehabilitation

• Provide soft supportive bedding to reduce joint strain.
• Administer oral antibiotics and pain meds as prescribed at home.
• Gentle, supervised movement to avoid stiffness—but prevent weight-bearing on infected joint.
• Monitor incision or joint area for swelling, discharge, or heat.
• PT exercises like passive range-of-motion as instructed by vet.

📊 Prognosis & Outlook

• Acute cases treated early often fully recover; chronic or untreated cases may lead to permanent joint damage.
• Recovery takes 4–6 weeks; severe osteomyelitis may need extended care.
• Recurrence possible if underlying causes—like biofilm or retained bone fragments—are not addressed.

🛡️ Prevention Strategies

• Inspect husbandry areas for sharp edges or items prone to causing wounds.
• Treat minor wounds promptly with cleaning and monitoring.
• Review prophylactic antibiotics after procedures like joint taps or abscess surgeries.
• Maintain owner education—watch for limping, swelling early.

🧠 Vet Tips for 2025

• Perform joint taps under aseptic conditions and send fluid for culture to avoid misdiagnosis.
• Combine antibiotics with joint flushing and pain control for best outcomes.
• Use advanced imaging for evaluation when osteomyelitis is suspected.
• Guide owners on home follow-up: joint support, antibiotic compliance, hygiene.
• Schedule repeat visits to reassess joint fluid, adjust therapies, and monitor rehab.

🔚 Final Takeaway

Septic arthritis in rabbits is an emergency requiring rapid veterinary attention. With proper diagnostics—joint fluid analysis and cultures—combined with flushing, targeted antibiotics, pain relief, and rehabilitation, many rabbits recover well. In 2025, prioritizing early intervention and comprehensive aftercare ensures better mobility and comfort for bunnies. 🐇❤️

🌟 Partner Services

• Ask A Vet: Live support for joint tap guidance, antibiotic selection, pain management, and home rehab planning.
• Woopf: Soft bedding kits, joint support wraps, and fluid administration packs for rehab at home.
• Purrz: Joint health supplements, laser hot-packs for warmth, and hygiene tools for cleaning infected joints.