British Veterinary Zoological Society, in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund, recently released a position statement on the use of anaesthesia in rabbit and guinea pig dental procedures.
This position statement states that conscious dental treatments are inappropriate. They are stressful, less likely to be clinically effective, pose a higher risk of preventable trauma, and compromise the animal’s welfare.
The statement recommends that dental procedures should be performed under suitable anaesthesia or adequate deep sedation by veterinary surgeons only.
At AVES, rabbit and guinea pig dental procedures are performed in line with these recommendations.
Image of a rabbit under anaesthesia with an endotracheal tube in place, undergoing oro-dental examination and dental treatment.
