Creating better tomorrows for companion rabbits
Rabbit Health and Welfare Forum 2026
(Veterinary stream)
Birmingham Events and Conference Centre
13th June 9am – 5pm
Please note, this is a fully catered conference, not a festival. Our conferences are vegan. If you have additional dietary requirements please get in touch.
Why Attend?
Two Dedicated Streams:
- Clinical Staff — Cutting-edge CPD for veterinary professionals
- Rabbit Caregivers — Expert-led sessions to deepen your knowledge
What’s New This Year?
- 9 punchy, to-the-point lectures
- 3 interactive Q&A sessions so you can get out of the day what you need
- Fully catered with delicious food and refreshments
- Exceptional value without compromising quality
- World-class speakers
This isn’t just another conference, it’s the UK’s leading rabbit-focused event, designed to give you knowledge, confidence, and community. This is for the Clinical Stream.
For Veterinary Professionals:
- Gain cutting-edge CPD from leading experts in rabbit medicine, and surgery.
- Learn practical, evidence-based approaches you can apply immediately in practice.
- Network with like-minded professionals and build valuable connections in the exotic veterinary field.
- Discover expert tips and insights.
- Get answers to your most pressing questions during interactive Q&A sessions.
- Enjoy a dynamic, revitalised format with short, impactful lectures and plenty of interaction.
- Benefit from exceptional value, a full day of world-class education at an accessible price.
- Be part of a passionate community driving better rabbit welfare across the UK.
Places are strictly limited and demand is high. Book early to avoid disappointment!
Discounted tickets for RWA&F members.
Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund members get a discount, please make sure you select the correct ticket type. Members must have a current membership at the time of the event. Vet Practice members get a discount for every member of staff that they want to send.
Programme
08:45 – 09:15
Registration
09:15 – 09:30
Welcome
Guen Bradbury MRCVS
Welcome and introduction to the day
09:30 – 10:00
Less Stress, More Success: Making Your Practice Rabbit Friendly
John Chitty BVetMed CertZooMed MRCVS
With the introduction of new rabbit-friendly practice standards, there’s been plenty of confusion,and even panic,about what they mean in practice. This session will cut through the misinformation and provide clear, practical guidance on meeting these standards without unnecessary stress. With 16 Gold accreditations up for grabs, how many can your practice achieve? Join us for actionable ideas you can take back to your team and start implementing right away.
10:00 – 10:30
Airway Management in Rabbits: Tools, Tricks, and Troubleshooting
Dr Jenna Richardson (BVM&S Dip ECZM (Small Mammal) FHEA
Securing the airway in rabbits remains one of the most challenging aspects of anaesthesia due to their unique anatomy and physiological sensitivities.This lecture will explore practical approaches to airway management, including intubation techniques, alternative devices, and strategies for minimising stress and trauma. We’ll review common complications, troubleshooting tips, and evidence-based recommendations for improving success rates.
Attendees will gain confidence in selecting the right tools and adapting techniques to individual patient needs. By the end of this session participants will be able to: Identify the factors that complicate airway management. Compare different intubation methods and devices. Apply troubleshooting strategies for common airway management challenges. Implement best practices to reduce risk and improve patient safety.
10:30 – 11:00
Age is just a number, until it isn't. Diagnostics and drugs for older rabbits
Madonna Livingstone BVMS MRCVS
This session will focus on conditions associated with old age such as: musculoskeletal pain (OA, spinal disease), secondary dental disease, and renal disease. Join me for a whistle stop tour of aging in rabbits and recognise that one of the best diagnostic tests you can perform is a thorough clinical examination!
11:00 – 11:30
Q&A for first three sessions
Your chance to ask questions relating to the first three sessions, so that you can get what you want out of the day.
11:30 – 12:00
Coffee break
Grab a coffee and browse the trade stands
12:00 – 12:30
To Burr or Not to Burr: The Art of Rabbit Dentistry
Dr Sonya Miles BVSc CertAVP(ZM), CertAqV, MRCVS
Dental disease is one of the most common clinical presentations in pet rabbits, with malocclusion, overgrowth, and associated soft tissue pathology forming a significant component of first opinion and referral caseloads. Effective diagnosis and management require a sound understanding of normal anatomy and physiology, recognition of pathological changes, and selection of appropriate treatment techniques.
This talk provides a comprehensive overview of rabbit dentistry, focusing on decision-making around when to perform dental burring and when conservative or alternative management is more appropriate. The session will explore the practicalities of safe and effective burring techniques, including equipment selection, patient preparation, anaesthetic considerations, and complication avoidance. Particular emphasis will be placed on clinical reasoning: how to identify cases where burring is likely to improve welfare and prognosis, and when excessive intervention risks causing more harm tha
12:30 – 13:00
Critical Moments: Emergency Protocols for Rabbit Anaesthesia
Dr Jenna Richardson (BVM&S Dip ECZM (Small Mammal) FHEA
Anaesthetic emergencies in rabbits can escalate rapidly, making preparation and swift intervention essential. This lecture provides a structured approach to recognising and managing critical events such as respiratory arrest, cardiovascular collapse, and severe hypotension. We’ll cover emergency drug protocols, monitoring priorities, and practical steps for stabilising patients under anaesthesia.
Real-world case examples will illustrate how rapid decision-making and teamwork can save lives. By the end of this session participants will be able to: Identify early warning signs of anaesthetic complications in rabbits, Outline emergency protocls for respiratory and cardiovascular crises. Select appropriate emergency drugs. Develop a practice plan for managing anaesthetic emergencies
13:00 – 13:30
Hear Me Out: Navigating Rabbit Ear Surgery
John Chitty BVetMed CertZooMed MRCVS
This session will provide a look at the most common ear conditions requiring surgical intervention, including otitis externa, abscesses, and canal stenosis. We’ll explore surgical approaches, pre-operative planning, and post-operative care, with practical tips to improve success rates and minimise complications. Attendees will gain confidence in selecting appropriate techniques, managing pain, and ensuring optimal recovery for their patients.
13:30 – 14:00
Q&A from previous three sessions
Your chance to ask questions from the previous three sessions.
14:00 – 15:00
Lunch break
Time to grab some lunch and browse the trade stands.
15:00 – 15:30
Analgesia in Rabbits: Best Practices for Pain Management
Richard Saunders BVSc DZooMed FRCVS
Effective pain management is essential for improving recovery and welfare in rabbits, yet assessing and treating pain in this species presents unique challenges. This lecture explores the latest evidence-based approaches to analgesia, including multimodal strategies, drug selection, dosing considerations, and monitoring techniques. We’ll also address common misconceptions and practical tips for integrating analgesia into routine and emergency care. The learning outcomes from this lecture will be how to Understand the physiological and behavioral indicators of pain in rabbits.
Compare and contrast commonly used analgesic agents and their mechanisms. Apply multimodal analgesia principles to improve patient outcomes. Develop safe and effective analgesia protocols for perioperative and chronic pain cases
15:30 – 16:00
Extraction Action: When and How to Remove Rabbit Molars
Dr Sonya Miles BVSc CertAVP(ZM), CertAqV, MRCVS
Molar extraction in rabbits is one of the more challenging procedures in exotics, requiring careful case selection, precise technique, and a thorough understanding of potential complications. This session will guide clinicians through the decision-making process surrounding molar extraction, helping them determine when removal is indicated, which techniques are most appropriate, and how to achieve the best possible outcomes for their patients. We begin with a discussion of the clinical reasoning behind molar extraction, including how to identify cases where removal is the most welfare-friendly option.
Diagnostic work-up will be explored, with emphasis on radiographic and advanced imaging modalities that support surgical planning and inform prognosis. A step-by-step approach to molar removal will be covered, exploring different extraction techniques and instrumentation, including the use of luxators, elevators, and minimally invasive approaches. Lots of practical tips will be shared.
16:00 – 16:30
Picture Perfect: Interpreting Rabbit Radiographs in practice with confidence
Madonna Livingstone BVMS MRCVS
Diagnostic imaging is a cornerstone of medicine. This session aims to empower veterinary professionals to approach radiographs in rabbits with confidence, recognising they already have all the necessary skills to fully interpret rabbit radiographs (just think in body systems!). Many conditions can be diagnosed with good quality radiographs and good quality interpretation. Cases which can benefit from more advanced imaging techniques will be mentioned.
16:30 – 17:00
Critical Care and Admissions: Stabilising the Rabbit Patient Abstract
Richard Saunders BVSc DZooMed FRCVS
Rabbits admitted in critical condition require rapid, precise intervention to prevent deterioration. This session focuses on the essentials of critical care during admission, including triage, fluid therapy, thermal support, oxygen supplementation, and nutritional strategies. We’ll discuss practical protocols for stabilising patients, minimising stress, and improving survival rates in emergency scenarios.
Learning Outcomes:
- Identify key steps in triage and initial stabilisation of critically ill rabbits.
- Implement evidence-based fluid therapy and oxygen delivery techniques.
- Formulate admission protocols that reduce stress and optimise outcomes
17:00 – 17:30
Q&A for previous three sessions
Your chance to ask the panel questions relating to the previous three sessions.
17:30 – 17:30