Molly Varga, an RCVS recognised Specialist in Zoo and Wildlife Medicine and Veterinary Advisor to Supreme Petfoods will be presenting a talk on feeding sick rodents at the 2022 London Vet Show on November 17th. Entitled ‘Eat, Pray, Love: the Ultimate Guide to Feeding Sick Smallies’, the talk is sponsored by Supreme Petfoods and will be co-delivered by Craig Tessyman, who works alongside Molly as Exotics Veterinary Nurse Team Leader at Rutland House Veterinary Referrals. The talk will cover the nutritional requirements of sick rabbits and rodents, together with key insights into the important role of nutritional support in the veterinary care of these pets.

Veterinary professionals face a unique set of challenges when caring for rabbits and other small rodents. With highly specialised digestive systems dependent on a fibre-rich diet, periods of anorexia can have devastating consequences for gastrointestinal health. Molly explains, “Anorexia in rabbits and other small rodents is a common presentation in first opinion practice. These pets are experts at hiding signs of illness, and they are often seriously ill by the time owners seek veterinary advice. Immediate nutritional support is critical to treatment success, as without it, the clinical condition of patients will deteriorate very quickly. The talk will give practical tips and key clinical insights to help vets and nurses provide the care these small pets need.”

Molly has worked in small animal and exotic medicine in both the UK and Canada, and lectures widely on Exotic Pet Medicine and Surgery. She has a wealth of experience working with a wide variety of exotic animals and holds both a Certificate and a Diploma in Zoological Medicine. Molly currently heads the Exotics Service at Rutland House Referral Centre and has a particular interest in rabbit medicine and surgery, having contributed to several BSAVA manuals on rabbits and other exotic species, as well as revising and updating the Textbook of Rabbit Medicine.

With a strong practical emphasis, the talk will cover key aspects of small pet critical care nutrition. From what to feed and fluid therapy, to the use of assisted feeding techniques including syringe feeding, the talk will give vets and nurses the confidence to provide optimum nutritional support for rabbits and rodents and ultimately achieve better clinical outcomes.

Claire Hamblion, Marketing Director at Supreme Petfoods, says that the company Is pleased to support the talk. “Getting herbivore nutrition spot-on is never more important than when these small pets are unwell. Molly has decades of experience and a passion for exotics so we are delighted that she will be teaming up with Craig and sharing her wealth of knowledge with fellow veterinary professionals, providing both vets and nurses with extremely valuable CPD.” Supreme will also provide a recording of the live talk for reference and for those who are unable to attend the presentation in person.

The talk counts for one hour of CPD and will be held on 17th of November at 3.15pm in the Gallery Suite 15-16. More information is available at the London Vet Show website.

To find out more, visit Supreme Petfoods on stand C46 at the London Vet Show, contact us.