Richard Saunders BVSc BSc CertZooMed MRCVS

Richard Saunders qualified from Liverpool University in 1994, having also obtained an intercalated degree in Zoology. He obtained his CertZooMed in 2001. Since then he has worked in small animal and exotic referral practice and wildlife rehabilitation. He is currently the RWAF/Bristol Zoo Gardens Senior Clinical Training Scholar in Rabbit and Zoo Medicine and Surgery. He writes regularly for Rabbiting On, Veterinary Times, has co-authored "Notes on Rabbit Internal Medicine", and is registered to sit his DipZooMed, Mammalian, with a thesis investigating E.cuniculi in the domestic rabbit.

Course Content

In this course we aim to cover the approach to the rabbit and rodent case, including:

• Dental disease: aetiology, prevention and treatment

• Preventative health care programs

• Dentistry

• Abscess treatment

• Diagnostics including diagnostic imaging and clinical pathology

• Anaesthesia and surgery of rabbits and rodents

An update on Encephalitizoon cuniculi diagnosis and control will be included, reviewing existing information and discussing recent developments in the field.

Key Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, delegates should be able to:

• Understand how to investigate the sick rabbit and rodent

• Understand how to diagnose and treat common diseases affecting the different body systems in rabbits and rodents

• Understand the importance of correct housing and nutrition in the maintenance of health in rabbits and rodents