A surgical approach to the rabbit patient: part 1

Rabbit surgery, as well as owner expectations, are constantly evolving and increasing. It is essential that the unique anatomical and physiological differences between rabbits and more frequently seen mammalian patients are fully understood before undertaking any surgery. All patients should undergo a full clinical examination and be stabilised before surgery where possible. All essential equipment should be ready at hand. It is important to optimise patient and surgeon positioning, as well as to use appropriately sized suture material, haemostasis, magnification and lighting to improve surgical technique, regardless of the procedure or organ system being operated on. This first of two articles discussing rabbit surgery takes the reader through pre-operative essentials for rabbits, as well as skin, nasal, oral, ophthalmological and aural surgery in rabbits.