Exotic Pet Care

Types of exotic animals that we see:

Birds – including budgies, parrots, and birds of prey.

Ferrets

Rabbits

Reptiles include lizards (including dragons, geckos, and chameleons), snakes, tortoises, and turtles.

Rodents – a vast number of animals are classed as rodents, including chinchillas, hamsters, rats, gerbils, and guinea pigs.
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One of the main reasons these animals are classed as exotic is their anatomy is entirely different from that of a cat or dog. In addition, the behavior they might exhibit when sick or in pain and the effects of the illness or injury on their body can vary widely. For example, a vet will need specialist knowledge to successfully diagnose and successfully treat a bird with a fractured wing. An expert veterinarian with a unique understanding of the body and behaviors of your species of pets is necessary for an accurate diagnosis and subsequent treatment to be obtained.

Equally, the medications that will be required will vary significantly compared to those drugs that would usually be administered to a canine or feline pet. Only a specialist veterinarian will understand these medications and how they should be used to treat your pet.

Exotic animals also have specific nutritional and environmental needs that vary significantly from the more basic living requirements of dogs and cats. If they are to remain healthy, they demand their owners to most closely replicate the habitat that they would live in if they were still in the wild. For example, animals used to hot, humid weather, like lizards and snakes, are best kept in vivariums that can be heated sufficiently. A specialist exotic vet will have the knowledge and experience to recommend these aspects of your pet care.

Exotic animal medicine is a specialist area, and if you have an exotic pet, you must seek out a veterinarian who has sufficient training and experience in dealing with your variety of animals if he is to get the best care possible. Ask local owners of similar animals for recommendations or search for exotic vets in your area online.

Avian Vet Care

Birds may be slightly more exotic as pets go, but they are still wonderful companions for people looking for an alternative to a furry friend. However, a bird’s physiology is very different from that of a cat, dog, or another mammal. For this reason, it is strongly recommended that you register your feathered friend with a veterinarian with the unique training and experience to understand and manage injuries and health problems that may arise in birds.

Services Included In Avian Vet Care

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As you might expect, the services usually included in avian vet care are very similar to those offered in standard veterinary offices that deal with less exotic pets. Some of the most common include:

Routine and comprehensive wellness examinations and assessments

Blood panels

Imaging tests, including digital x-rays, and ultrasound scans

Preventative care

Minor fracture and beak repair

Behavioral consultations for undesirable behavior problems such as aggression

Diagnosing and treating a wide range of medical conditions, with in-patient care if required

Anesthesia/sedation services

How To Find An Experienced Avian Vet

Locating a veterinarian specializing in birds will almost certainly not be as easy as finding a regular vet. One good resource to consider is the Association of Avian Veterinarians, which maintain a list of vets qualified to help care for pet birds. If you know someone who also has pet birds, you could ask them who their vet is and if they would recommend them.

Once you have found one or more veterinarians with the training and experience to handle birds, it is essential to schedule an appointment to meet them and reassure yourself that they are the best person to support you in caring for your bird. To do this, some of the questions that you could ask include:

What species of birds are you familiar with? Different birds react differently to specific medical procedures, so you need to find a vet knowledgeable about specific treatments that will work for your bird.

Do you offer emergency or after-hours care? Sometimes accidents and illnesses arise outside of office hours. If these are serious enough to warrant immediate medical care, you need to be sure that your vet, or an alternative specialist vet, is available.

Do you offer house calls? Birds are not great travelers, and the experience can stress them. This can exacerbate whatever illness or injury is ailing them. Many specialist avian vets offer house calls for both emergencies and routine veterinary care.

What costs are involved with the services you offer? Unfortunately, since birds are more specialized than other animals, the cost of caring for them can be higher. Ask your vet for information about their fees so that you can understand what costs you will be liable for should your feathered friend become unwell.

With the proper care at home and from a qualified and experienced avian vet, your bird can enjoy a long, healthy, and happy life with you and your family.