Exotics- Medicine & Surgery:
- Do Exotic pets need special care? Exotic pets do need special care from both the owner and veterinarian. Not all exotic pets are legal in every state, so first make sure you are within the law when choosing an exotic pet. Before bringing one home, it's important to read about it, actually see some in person, and have a good understanding of what is required for that particular pet. You may discover that it really would not be a good fit for your lifestyle. Some pets would not be appropriate for inexperienced owners.
- When should I bring my exotic pet in to see a Vet? The answer to this question is right away! Just like dogs and cats, we recommend bringing your exotic pet in within a couple of days of bringing them home to establish a clean bill of health, and discuss proper husbandry and diet. Just like dogs and cats, we recommend annual exams for our exotic patients as well. Scheduling yearly veterinary appointments for your reptiles, rabbit and pocket pets will help our doctors establish a base line to compare to when your animal is sick. During their wellness visit the doctor can see how the animal normally acts, what their fur/scales are normally like and what their normal weight is. This is helpful so we can judge how much weight they have lost or gained when they are sick and to help pinpoint problems. We can also catch possible issues before they become a real problem and consult about their environment, food and weight.
- How do I know if my exotic pet is ill? Any pocket pet/rabbit/reptile that stops eating is considered an emergency. These animals are professionals at hiding signs of sickness. We can then determine that your pet is very ill. Exotic pets can become dehydrated very rapidly as well which is a life threatening condition. Changes in their behavior, fur/scales, stool or weight should be a concern and a veterinary appointment should be made. The sooner you notice any of these changes the sooner our staff can help you get your pet back to being healthy.