Dick Vet Rabbit and Exotic Practice

Meet Juniper, a lovely, seven-year-old female ferret who came in for a dental procedure.

Our team took X-rays to assess her tooth roots and used special tools to assess her gumline before scaling away the calculus build-up on her teeth. We found that Juniper had advanced gum disease around one of her molars, so the tooth was extracted to remove any discomfort.

This elderly ferret has chronic kidney disease, so she received a tailored fluid therapy plan before and after her procedure as well as during her anaesthetic, to ensure that her kidney function was protected.

Juniper, who brought her pal Tiva in for company, recovered well from her procedure and, once home, was soon back to her usual, mischievous self.

Just like in dogs and cats, preventative healthcare in ferrets is key. Regular tooth brushing with a pet-safe toothpaste can help to reduce tartar build-up. It is also important to feed your ferret an appropriate diet that isn’t too soft or abrasive for the dental enamel. However, as ferrets get older, calculus build-up can start to form, and secondary inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) can develop.

We are the largest dedicated exotic veterinary practice and referral service in Scotland. If your ferret is due a health check, contact us on 0131 650 7650 or email [email protected] to make an appointment.

On International Rabbit Day we are highlighting how seeking prompt veterinary help from knowledgeable and experienced rabbit vets can save bunnies with life-threatening conditions.

Benjamin Binkles was brought into our practice by his owner as he had suddenly stopped eating and had a painful abdomen. As initial blood tests were normal, our exotics vet team performed a CT scan and targeted ultrasound scan to try to diagnose the problem.

We offer low-stress conscious imaging for most of our rabbit patients, allowing for high-definition images to be produced without the need for sedation or anaesthesia.

Scans showed that a pouch-like structure in the rabbit’s gastrointestinal tract called the sacculus rotundus was inflamed and thickened, a dangerous condition called sacculitis.

Thanks to his owner seeking prompt veterinary help and our team's rapid diagnosis, Benjamin Binkles received a tailored treatment plan and made a full recovery.

When rabbits stop eating, they risk developing gut stasis, a potentially life-threatening condition where the rabbit’s digestive tract slows down or completely stops. Gut stasis can be caused by several different things, and immediate veterinary attention must be sought if your rabbit stops eating, drinking, producing normal droppings, or shows behaviour that suggests they are in pain.

If you have concerns about the health of your rabbit, please make an appointment to see one of our vets by emailing [email protected]. For urgent and emergency appointments, please phone us on 0131 650 7650.

For more information about our Rabbit and Exotic Practice, visit https://vet.ed.ac.uk/clinical/small-animal/rabbit-exotic-practice

One of our students recently shared her rabbit medicine research on a global stage.

Final-year veterinary student Natasha Kerwin attended the Exotic365 Veterinary Conference in Philadelphia, US, where she represented the University and presented her student research as a conference poster.

Her project, ‘The impact of household environmental factors on rabbit resting and sleep patterns’, highlighted how sensitive rabbits can be to changes at home.

Natasha found that rabbit sleep is most commonly disturbed by increased noise and strong odours, suggesting that sudden or intense environmental changes can be particularly stressful.

Her results highlighted several practical, rabbit-friendly tips to help owners create a calmer home, including:

🐰Reducing sudden loud noises
🐰Ensuring good ventilation during cooking
🐰Avoiding strong-scented sprays and cleaners
🐰Offering quiet, sheltered resting areas
🐰Keeping a consistent daily routine

Well done, Natasha – we are delighted to see rabbit welfare in the spotlight.

⭐️ Meet the Team: Dr Helen Llambias Maw ⭐️

Say hello to Helen, who has just joined our team of resident veterinary surgeons and is working towards becoming a European Specialist in Small Mammal Medicine and Surgery. She graduated from the University of Cambridge and has spent several years in mixed and small animal practices in the UK and in New Zealand.

Her time is split between working on clinics and undertaking clinical research in rabbit health.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐬/𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐯𝐞𝐭? Rabbits have always been one of my favourite animals, as they were the first pets I had. As a mixed vet, I loved working with, and adapting my skills to different species, and so was always eager to see the more unusual patients. I found working with them and their owners very rewarding. I hope to gain more experience with the large variety of species seen at the Dick Vet, and continue to make a difference with individual patients, and wildlife. Conservation has always been a passion of mine, and I hope during my residency I can help to make an impact on our native creatures.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥 𝐯𝐞𝐭? I love the variety that comes with being an exotic vet. You never know what will come through the door. Every species that we treat is unique, and there is plenty still to learn.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐕𝐞𝐭 𝐑𝐚𝐛𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐱𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞? I often contacted the team at the Dick Vet for advice on the exotic cases I saw in my previous roles. They were always helpful and friendly, and I am thrilled to be able to work with such a knowledgeable and welcoming team. The practice sees so many species, and is very busy, so I am excited to get stuck in.

𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬? I enjoy surgery and critical care.

𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐬? I have a very cheerful goldendoodle called Ghlo.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥? Whichever animal I am currently working with!

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲 𝐝𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤? I love wild swimming, fell running and exploring the mountains. I also like singing, cooking and baking.

𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐟𝐮𝐧 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥: In some reptiles and turtles, the temperature at which their eggs are incubated affects the biological gender of the hatchling. This means that climate change may affect the proportion of males and females of different species in the future.

Thanks, Helen

Many congratulations to Dr Emma Keeble, a senior vet at our Dick Vet Rabbit and Exotic Practice, who has recently been awarded an RCVS Fellowship for her meritorious contributions to clinical practice.

Emma is an RCVS Diplomate in Zoological Medicine, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Zoo and Wildlife Medicine and a Diplomate of the American College of Exotic Pet Medicine.

She has made significant contributions to the advancement of exotic animal clinical practice, education and research throughout her career.

This Fellowship is a well-deserved recognition of her contribution to the profession.

Congratulations, Emma!

COME AND TRAIN WITH US! Applications are invited from veterinary graduates for a DVetMed (Residency) in Rabbit, Exotic Animal and Wildlife Medicine and Surgery.

In this full-time training position, the resident will join our team and gain intensive clinical experience in managing rabbit, exotic animal and wildlife cases. They will also be required to complete a clinical research project and assist in the teaching of undergraduate veterinary students.

The successful candidate should have, or will be working towards, the CertAVP Zoological Medicine or equivalent, and will study towards both the European College of Zoological Medicine (ECZM) Diploma in Small Mammal Medicine and Surgery and a concurrent Professional Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVetMed).

The four-year residency is available from March 2027. Informal inquiries are welcomed.

Applications close at 23.59 on 30 September 2026.

For more information on this, and the other six residencies currently available at our School, visit: https://vet.ed.ac.uk/clinical/training

🐢𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐨𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 🐢

Join the Dick Vet Rabbit and Exotic Practice team for an informative evening about caring for your shelled friends.

A great chance to pick up practical advice, ask questions, and help your tortoise and terrapins stay healthy and happy.

📆Thursday 24 September
📌Dick Vet teaching building, Easter Bush Campus, EH25 9RG
🕖7–9pm

Free to attend and open to all.

How to register: Contact reception on 0131 650 7650 or contact [email protected] with your name, address and email address.

⭐️ Meet the Team Tuesday: Dr Yashu Modak ⭐️

Yashu, one of our practice veterinary surgeons, is currently completing a one-year internship in rabbit and exotic animal medicine and surgery with us. After graduating from the Royal Veterinary College, Yashu spent a couple of years working in general practice before deciding to focus on rabbit and exotic animal species. The majority of her time is spent working on clinics and she also helps to supervise and teach the final year veterinary students on placement with us.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐯𝐞𝐭? I grew up in Singapore watching wild lizards, snakes and birds in the rainforest, and since then I have loved treating scaly, feathered, and unique fluffy creatures.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐕𝐞𝐭 𝐑𝐚𝐛𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐱𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞? Being able to see only exotic animals, all day every day, is my dream job. To be able to dedicate time to give these unique patients the level of care they deserve is amazing, and I love how the team is able to treat all creatures great and small.

𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬? I am interested in animal behaviour, and ethology - the everyday ways we can enrich animals’ lives in our homes fascinates me. I’m also passionate about surgery.

𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐬? I have two cats called Mac and Cheese, that I rescued while working in my first veterinary job.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥? The hyacinth macaw – they are mesmerising to watch.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲 𝐝𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤? I enjoy long distance running and playing the guitar.

𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐟𝐮𝐧 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥: Amazon parrots are the only parrot species that don’t have a uropygial, otherwise known as a preen, gland.

Thanks, Yashu!

⭐️ Meet the Team Tuesday: Dr Jess Hornby ⭐️

Jessica joined us in January after being an assistant professor at the University of Nottingham’s Vet School. She has completed an exotic animal internship and a European College of Zoological Medicine (ECZM) residency in herpetology at the Royal Veterinary College, and has a keen interest in reptiles and amphibian medicine and surgery.

Her time is split between teaching our undergraduate veterinary students, and working as a clinical vet in our practice.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐬/𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐯𝐞𝐭? I wanted to help animals and help people.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥 𝐯𝐞𝐭? The variety of species I work with every day.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐕𝐞𝐭 𝐑𝐚𝐛𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐱𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞? The whole team are lovely and really care about their patients. It’s also in a beautiful part of the world.

𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬? Ultrasonography of reptiles and amphibians.

𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐬? I have a very shy, but beautiful, house gecko.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥? I like any reptile or amphibian.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲 𝐝𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤? I love exploring the world and going on long walks.

𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐟𝐮𝐧 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥: Some frogs will store their young in their stomach.

Thanks, Jess!

*LOOKING FOR OWNERS*

A stray rabbit has been handed into our practice.
If you think it may be your pet, please phone our reception team on 0131 650 7650 or email [email protected].

Photographic proof of ownership will be required.

Thank you 🙂