Exciting News! 🐰🐾

We’re now seeing rabbits, ferrets, sugar gliders, guinea pigs and other exotic pets at our clinic! Whether it’s a wellness check, common medical concern, or just some expert advice, we’re here to help keep your furry friends happy and healthy.

Caring for exotic animals is vital because their health needs are unique and often misunderstood. Unlike dogs and cats, these animals require specialized diets, environments, and veterinary care to thrive.

Many exotic pets hide signs of illness, making regular check-ups essential for early detection and treatment of potential health issues. Proper veterinary care ensures they receive necessary vaccinations, parasite prevention, and nutritional guidance to prevent common diseases.

Additionally, exotic pets have specific behavioral and enrichment needs that, when met, improve their overall well-being and lifespan. With expert veterinary care, these animals can live healthier, happier lives while bringing joy to their owners.

Here are some common exotic animals we see and different medical conerns to look out for!

Ferret Husbandry & Health Care

Ferrets are playful, intelligent pets that require a balanced diet (high-protein, meat-based), a spacious enclosure, and daily enrichment. Regular veterinary care is essential to keep them healthy.

Vaccines:
✔ Rabies – Annual vaccination recommended
✔ Canine Distemper – Essential, as this disease is nearly always fatal in ferrets

Common Health Concerns:
🔹 Adrenal disease – Hormonal imbalance leading to hair loss and behavior changes
🔹 Insulinoma – A pancreatic tumor causing low blood sugar and weakness
🔹 Gastrointestinal blockages – From ingesting foreign objects (ferrets love to chew!)

Routine check-ups help detect and manage these issues early. Schedule a visit to keep your ferret happy and healthy!

Rabbit Husbandry & Health Care

Rabbits are social, curious pets that need a high-fiber diet (primarily hay), a spacious, enriched environment, and regular handling to stay happy and healthy. Proper care and routine check-ups are essential for their well-being.

General Health Check-Up:
🔹 Teeth & Dental Health – Rabbits’ teeth continuously grow, requiring monitoring to prevent overgrowth and related issues
🔹 Digestive Health – A high-fiber diet prevents GI stasis, a life-threatening condition
🔹 Weight & Nutrition – Maintaining a balanced diet helps prevent obesity and deficiencies
🔹 Ears, Eyes & Skin – Checking for infections, mites, or signs of illness

Regular vet visits help detect health concerns early and ensure your rabbit stays in top shape! Schedule a check-up today.

Sugar Glider Husbandry & Health Care

Sugar gliders are social, nocturnal marsupials that require a specialized diet (high in protein and calcium), a large vertical enclosure for climbing, and plenty of social interaction to thrive. Proper husbandry and routine veterinary care are essential for their long-term health.

General Health Check-Up:
🔹 Diet & Nutrition – Prevents malnutrition, obesity, and metabolic bone disease
🔹 Teeth & Oral Health – Checking for dental disease, as gliders' teeth don’t continuously grow
🔹 Weight & Body Condition – Monitoring for signs of illness or nutritional deficiencies
🔹 Parasite & Infection Screening – Checking for mites, respiratory infections, or wounds
🔹 Behavioral Health – Assessing stress levels, as sugar gliders can develop self-mutilation behaviors if lonely or unwell

Regular vet visits help catch health issues early and ensure your sugar glider lives a long, healthy life! Schedule a check-up today.

Guinea Pig Husbandry & Health Care

Guinea pigs are social, vocal pets that require a vitamin C-rich diet, plenty of hay, and a spacious, clean enclosure to stay healthy. Regular veterinary check-ups are essential for early disease detection and overall well-being.

General Health Check-Up:
🔹 Teeth & Dental Health – Their teeth grow continuously, requiring monitoring to prevent overgrowth and painful issues
🔹 Digestive Health – A high-fiber diet prevents GI stasis and other digestive concerns
🔹 Weight & Nutrition – Ensuring a balanced diet to prevent obesity or deficiencies, especially vitamin C deficiency (scurvy)
🔹 Skin & Coat Health – Checking for mites, fungal infections, or signs of illness
🔹 Respiratory Health – Guinea pigs are prone to respiratory infections, requiring early detection

Routine vet visits help keep your guinea pig happy and healthy. Schedule a check-up today!

Hedgehog Husbandry & Health Care

Hedgehogs are fascinating, nocturnal pets that require specialized care to stay healthy and happy. Their diet should consist of high-quality protein, with insects, lean meats, and specially formulated hedgehog food being key components. They need a spacious enclosure with proper heating (75-80°F) to prevent hibernation attempts, which can be dangerous in captivity.

General Health Check-Up:

🔹 Teeth & Oral Health – Hedgehogs are prone to dental disease and require monitoring for tartar buildup or infections
🔹 Weight & Nutrition – Obesity is common, so portion control and exercise are essential
🔹 Skin & Quill Health – Hedgehogs often develop mite infestations, leading to quill loss and irritation
🔹 Respiratory Health – They are prone to respiratory infections, especially in low temperatures
🔹 Digestive Health – Checking for signs of diarrhea or constipation, which can indicate dietary or underlying health issues

Routine veterinary visits help detect health concerns early and ensure your hedgehog thrives. Schedule a check-up today to keep your prickly pal in top shape!

Chinchilla Husbandry & Health Care

Chinchillas are energetic, social pets with unique care needs. They require a high-fiber diet (primarily hay), a large, well-ventilated enclosure, and dust baths to maintain healthy fur. Since they are sensitive to heat, their environment should be kept below 75°F to prevent heatstroke.

General Health Check-Up:

🔹 Teeth & Dental Health – Chinchilla teeth grow continuously, making regular monitoring essential to prevent overgrowth and malocclusion
🔹 Digestive Health – A proper diet is crucial to avoid GI stasis and bloating
🔹 Fur & Skin Health – Fur rings in males, fungal infections, and dry skin are common concerns
🔹 Weight & Nutrition – Maintaining a balanced diet prevents obesity and deficiencies
🔹 Joint & Bone Health – Ensuring proper cage setup and exercise to prevent injuries

Regular vet visits help detect health issues early, ensuring your chinchilla lives a long, healthy life. Schedule a check-up today to keep your fluffy friend in top shape!

Pet Rat Husbandry & Health Care

Pet rats are intelligent, social animals that thrive with proper care and companionship. They need a nutritionally balanced diet (high-quality lab blocks with fresh fruits and veggies), a spacious multi-level cage, and plenty of mental stimulation through toys and interaction. Since rats are highly social, they should always be housed in pairs or groups.

General Health Check-Up:

🔹 Respiratory Health – Rats are prone to respiratory infections, making early detection crucial
🔹 Teeth & Oral Health – Their teeth grow continuously, so monitoring for overgrowth is essential
🔹 Weight & Nutrition – Obesity can lead to serious health issues, so portion control and exercise are important
🔹 Skin & Coat Health – Checking for parasites, tumors, or signs of allergies
🔹 Tumor Screening – Especially common in female rats, early detection of lumps is key

Routine vet visits help ensure a long, happy life for your rat. Schedule a check-up today to keep your little friend healthy!

Providing proper care for exotic animals goes beyond basic needs—it ensures they live long, healthy, and fulfilling lives. These unique pets require specialized nutrition, environments, and veterinary attention to thrive. Regular check-ups help prevent common health issues, allowing for early intervention and better outcomes.

At our clinic, we are dedicated to offering compassionate, knowledgeable care for all exotic pets. Whether it’s a routine wellness visit or addressing a health concern, we are here to support you and your animal companions every step of the way.
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Because every pet—no matter how big or small—deserves the best care!