Lecturer’s post created for rabbit medicine

The increasing popularity of rabbits as pets has led to the first post for a lecturer with a remit dedicated to rabbit medicine and surgery being established.

It is estimated that there are more than 1.4 million pet rabbits in the UK, which are either kept indoors as house pets or outside.

New Appointment

Brigitte Reusch has taken up the role as lecturer in Rabbit Medicine and Surgery at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies.

Miss Reusch, who has several years' experience in treating rabbits will also run a dedicated rabbit clinic at the School’s Hospital for Small Animals as part of its Exotic Animal and Wildlife Service.

In recent years vets at the Hospital for Small Animals have been treating an increasing number of rabbits, with their popularity also extending not only to families with small children but also young professionals.

Many people are deciding to have rabbits as house pets as this fits in better with their busy working lives than having other pets.

Common Problems

One of the commonest problems relating to rabbit welfare is poor diet, as owners may not realise that simply feeding them breakfast and dinner is not good for wearing the rabbits’ teeth down as they need to eat hay or grass throughout the day. This also prevents them from becoming bored.

It is also important to ensure that pet rabbits, which have evolved from the European wild rabbit, are not kept too warm to avoid them becoming over heated.

I got Humphrey as looking after a rabbit is easier than say, for instance, looking after a dog or a cat. He does have problems with his teeth but has had scans and all sorts to help with this. The good treatment that he receives means that, although his dental disease is something that will persist, he is a happy chap.

Exotic Animal and Wildlife Service

The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies was recently ranked top among the UK's seven veterinary schools in the national Research and Assessment Exercise, with 20 per cent of its research classed as "world leading".

Kevin Eatwell is another member of staff to join the Exotic Animal and Wildlife Service at the School’s Hospital for Small Animals. Mr Eatwell, who is also a lecturer in exotic and wildlife medicine, is one of two people in the UK to hold a Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Diploma in reptile medicine.

As well having reptile and avian veterinary expertise, he also has a keen interest in the area of keyhole surgery.

Rabbits and exotic pets are becoming ever more popular, and it is vital that we can offer them top quality veterinary care, and teach the vets of the future how to treat them. I am absolutely delighted to have Brigitte and Kevin on the team, which makes us the largest and best qualified Exotic Animal service in the UK.

The Hospital for Small Animals can be contacted on 0131 6507650.

For more information please contact Tara Womersley from the Press and PR Office, on 0131 650 9836 or 07791 355804.