We see Birds, Rabbits, Reptiles, Ferrets and Pocket Pets!

Dr. Pam Williams has extensive experience in treating many different species of animals!  If you own an exotic pet here are some of the things that we recommend:

Yearly examinations

The most important thing to realize about any exotic animal is that they do not show symptoms of illness until they are really, really sick.  In the wild, these animals would be eaten the moment they exhibit symptoms of illness, so they are all hardwired to keep right on eating, singing, moving around, etc. until they are too weak to keep up the act.  Because of this, annual or semi-annual examinations are critical.

Birds

Birds can loose weight from an illness and become extremely thin, but you would never notice because their feathers cover it up!  This is why we monitor your bird’s weight from visit to visit to ensure that they are maintaining an adequate weight.  The appearance of the stools from the bird can also give us valuable information about the birds overall health.  Very watery stool indicates a real problem.  If you notice any change in your birds stool, notify us at once.  When a bird finally is sick enough to show symptoms, you may notice that they look “puffed up”.  You may also notice that they aren’t perching on one foot during rest anymore.  Any small symptom should be addressed right away.

Rabbits

We recommend spaying and neutering for all domestic rabbits.  Leaving a pet rabbit intact will lead to undesired and sometimes aggressive behaviors.  We use the safest, sterile procedure for altering your rabbit.  Dental care is also very important in rabbits.  Many times, spurs will grow on the back teeth leading to pain and irritation of the inside of the mouth.  This leads to in appetence and big problems for your rabbit.  We always check the teeth during our routine exams to insure that they are free of spurs.  Rabbits are wonderful pets, but also very good at masking illness.  Any unusual behavior or symptom should be reported to us right away.

Reptiles

Do your husbandry homework!  Many of the sick reptiles we see are so as a result of a poor diet or incorrect temperature, lighting or substrate in their homes.  Don’t just take the word of a pet shop worker as to what your reptile needs.  Visit your public library and read about your specific type of reptile, or visit www.veterinarypartner.com for some really good articles about husbandry.  Good husbandry along with proper veterinary care will result in the best health for your reptile.

Ferrets

Ferrets require vaccinations just like dogs and cats do: they require a rabies vaccine along with a ferret distemper vaccine.  Ferrets are very susceptible to endocrine issues.  Maintaining a healthy weight and keeping them on a proper diet are very important steps in enabling them to lead a long and happy life.

Pocket Pets

Hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs and mice are a few species of pocket pets that we see on a regular basis.  If you have ever owned one of these wonderful little animals, you’ll understand how special they are and what a joy they are to own.  These cuddly creatures tend to have a shorter lifespan than some other exotic pets.  Because of this, we recommend semi-annual examinations for these animals.  Many of these species are also prone to tumors.  Husbandry is also extremely important for these animals: proper diet, temperature and bedding are critical for their survival. 

Contact us or visit www.veterinarypartner.com for more information.