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RAW veterinary resource pack released
RAW is taking place from 26-30 June 2023.
Vets urged to get involved to educate owners about welfare needs of rabbits.

A free Rabbit Awareness Week (RAW) resource pack is now available for veterinary practices to download. It includes rabbit care guides, health logs, social media help guides and printable colouring sheets to enable practices to organise their own events during the week.

RAW is taking place from 26-30 June and its organisers are urging practices to get involved. This year’s theme is ‘Neutering: Protect and Prevent’. 

With approximately 80 per cent of unneutered female rabbits developing cancer of the womb by the age of five, the theme aims to educate owners that neutering helps rabbits to live longer, healthier lives. 

RAW is being organised by Burgess Pet Care along with a number of experts, including the RSPCA, Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund, Woodgreen Pets Charity, Blue Cross and Raystede.

Dr Suzanne Moyes, deputy managing director at Burgess Pet Care said: “We know that the vet community plays an important role in ensuring that owners have access to the right information about rabbits’ welfare needs, which is why we are urging as many practices as possible to support RAW. You can either sign up to receive one of our limited number of free RAW vet packs in hard copy, or you can download a free RAW vet pack. Both are full of resources including rabbit care guides, health logs and printable posters, so that you can put together your own campaign.”

One of the veterinary practices that is getting involved wih RAW is offering rabbit owners discounts on vaccines and neutering, free nurse consultations, a forage walk, informative displays and lots of information about rabbits on its social media channels. 

Dr Moyes added: “Given the increase in demand for rabbit ownership in the UK in recent years, it is really important that we educate as many owners as possible, so that these wonderful creatures can live the life they deserve, in the right environment. 

“Working with our charity partners the RSPCA, Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWAF), Woodgreen Pets Charity, Blue Cross, and Raystede, we want to ensure that RAW is a great success and that we continue to improve the welfare of rabbits across the country.”

During the week there will be a wealth of activities designed to raise awareness of neutering and its benefits, including veterinary blogs, videos and case studies, that will be shared on the RAW Facebook and Instagram pages.

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.