In most small animal practices true emergencies will be relatively uncommon, but with the increase in emergency centres within the UK there will be practices where emergency cases are in the majority, Although emergency medicine can be stressful it can also be extremely satisfying. This chapter focuses on telephone triage, preparation, hospital triage, cardiovascular abnormalities - assessment and management, respiratory abnormalities - assessment and management, neurological assessment and management, monitoring during stabilization, secondary assessment and ongoing management. Quick Reference Guide: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Oral/dental disease is the most common disorder encountered in small herbivorous mammals, including rabbits. The ability to recognize anatomical and physiological variations is necessary in order to understand disease pathophysiology and assess minor changes. This chapter explores clinical history and examination; essential equipment for dental examination; examination of the head, teeth and oral cavity in the conscious rabbit; examination under general anaesthesia; oral and dental records; and significant lesions and oral cavity diseases. Quick Reference Guide/Technique: Oral cavity examination under general anaesthesia.

This chapter focuses on immediate management, diagnostic approach and treatment of respiratory diseases, such as dyspnoea, tachypnoea, hyperpnoea and orthopnoea. Quick reference guides: Management of severe dyspnoea; Oxygen therapy; Emergency thoracic radiography; Thoracocentesis; Inserting a chest drain; Inserting a small-bore wire-guided chest drain.