Vet students to learn about exotic animals

A rise in the number of exotic animals being kept as pets has led to the creation of the UK’s first specialist training facility for veterinary students.

The Hospital for Small Animals at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies has opened an exotic animal teaching facility, where students can learn about the best way to care for exotic animals.

The unit will teach students to treat a range of animals, including rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, chinchillas, lizards, snakes and rats. Students will also learn about the right temperature and diets that the animals may require.

One-to-one sessions will also be available for students who have phobias about snakes or rats to help them overcome their fears.

Students will also be able to carry out supervised placements, which are compulsory for a veterinary degree, at the new unit.

Students do not often get much exposure to handling exotic animals until they start treating them under supervision in clinics in their final year. However, exotics pets are on the increase and this unit will mean that students will be much better equipped in handling such animals. Giving students this experience early on is important as it provides them with the skills and confidence to treat animals with a variety of problems.

It is estimated that there are 1.4 million pet rabbits in the UK, making them the third most popular pet after cats and dogs. About 100,000 households have snakes and 80,000 homes have pet rats.