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Giant rabbits susceptible to unusual fracture
"It is important that vets and owners are aware of the apparent increased risk of fractures." - Professor Dylan Clements.

The underlying reason for this is unclear, researchers say. 

Researchers and veterinary surgeons at the University of Edinburgh have discovered that giant breed rabbits are at risk of an unusual, but recoverable, type of fracture.


This discovery was made when four male neutered continental giant rabbits aged between 10 and 30 months were presented at the Dick Vet with femoral condylar fractures, all of which developed without a traumatic injury being observed. 

The fracture occurs at the end of the thigh bone, where it forms the knee joint with the lower leg, and the underlying cause of this unusual fracture affecting this breed is unclear. 

The study, published in the Journal of Small Animal Practice (behind a paywall), details four cases presented to the practice, in which stabilisation was achieved with screw fixation in all four rabbits, with additional fixation in three of the cases. 

Of the four rabbits presented, three recovered normal limb function, whilst one developed a femoral fracture as a consequence of the surgical intervention, and was treated with an amputation. 

The results of the study suggest that giant rabbits' predisposition to the fracture could be weakness in the bones, or that the fractures are caused by stress.

Professor Dylan Clements, professor of small animal orthopaedics, commented: “This is a very uncommon fracture, yet we saw it only in a less common breed of rabbit. 

“It is important that vets and owners are aware of the apparent increased risk of fractures of this sort in Continental Giant breed rabbits.”

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.