MANAGEMENT OF OSTEOARTHRITIS IN A GIANT PANDA (AILUROPODA MELANOLEUCA) WITH MULTIMODAL THERAPY INCLUDING AMANTADINE SULPHATE

Abstract

In 2002 a 23-yr-old female giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) presented with left hind limb lameness presumably due to osteoarthritis. For the next five years, arthritic episodes were managed with the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) carprofen at 2 mg/kg p.o. s.i.d., then reduced to 1 mg/kg p.o. s.i.d. and withdrawn. Radiographs revealed osteoarthritis in various joints and lumbar spondylosis. In 2007 glucosamine and chondroitin at 1.65 g p.o. b.i.d. and a polyunsaturated fatty acid at 1 capsule p.o. s.i.d. By 2008, arthritic episodes were becoming more difficult to successfully manage and higher doses and longer durations of treatment with carprofen were needed (2 mg/kg p.o. b.i.d.) and by August 2009 episodic treatment was no longer successful so the carprofen was continued indefinitely at 1 mg/kg p.o. s.i.d. In November 2009 carprofen was increased to 2 mg/kg p.o. b.i.d. An NMDA antagonist amantadine sulphate was trialed and after 10 days at 200 mg p.o. s.i.d. the clinical signs resolved. Since then it has been maintained on carprofen at 1 mg/kg p.o. b.i.d., amantadine sulphate 200 mg p.o. s.i.d. and the neutraceuticals as above with no further relapses of arthritic pain.

Modification of Domestic Animal Lameness Scales for Use in Asiatic Black Bears (Ursus thibetanus)

“…Musculoskeletal diseases of ABBs that are commonly associated with lameness include osteoarthritis, spondylosis of the spine, and tendon/ligament injuries [17] (personal communication, Animals Asia, 2023). Similar conditions have been found in other bear species [5,[18][19][20]. There is a need to ensure that different lameness assessment observations are comparable and sufficiently consistent to ensure that the animal's medical needs can be addressed, whether the lameness is causing acute or chronic pain [3].…”

“…Importantly, these temporal comparisons provide a means of evaluating analgesic efficacy and other therapeutic interventions, and also allow for consistent and clear communication between caregivers. These communications facilitate quality-of-life assessments, decision making, and evaluation of welfare states [3,5,[18][19][20][21][22][23][24]. Domestic animal scales were evaluated to create a lameness scale for bears.…”