If you’re a pet owner and have an exotic pet, you are probably concerned about finding a good veterinarian to take care of your furry friend. After spending endless hours online and on the phone, it was frustrating to find out that many veterinarians (even large organizations) do not treat exotic animals. If you are also having trouble looking for a veterinarian or have already given up, this post should offer valuable advice and tips on how to find one faster.
What makes a pet an exotic animal?
When we think about exotics, we think about animals that aren’t traditionally kept as house pets. These types of animals might include reptiles, amphibians, rodents and any other type of animal that isn’t commonly kept by pet owners. If you’re looking for a good vet for your reptile or amphibian, it’s important to know what type of pet you actually have because some vets specialize in certain types of animals.
Why don’t all veterinarians treat exotic pets?
While most veterinarians will treat a wide variety of animals, there are some who only treat certain species like cat vet. When choosing a veterinary clinic for your pet, it is best to find one that specializes in your specific pet.
Exotic pets can include animals such as ferrets, turtles, snakes, and parrots. These types of pets demand special care from many veterinarians are not qualified to provide. If you bring your exotic pet to a clinic that does not specialize in this type of animal, they may not provide the level of care required. This can lead to an improper diagnosis, incorrect treatment plan, or even death for your pet.
Veterinarians that treat exotic pets need to be highly trained and experienced in order to give the proper care. Not all veterinarians have this expertise. Exotic pets are not just uncommon, but they are also prone to very specific diseases and conditions that regular pets are not.
Treating exotic pets requires a lot more than providing vaccinations, rabies shots, and simple medical care. These animals can have very specific diets, housing requirements, and health requirements.
They may have strange medical conditions that normal vets never see, so it is important to find a vet who has had experience with these types of animals before. The vet needs to provide the right level of care for these individual animals or their owners could risk the lives of their pets.
What makes a good vet for your exotic pet?
One of the most important things to consider when looking for a veterinarian for your exotic pet is the fact that some vets have more experience with certain species than others.
Most veterinarians specialize in certain species and understand their special needs and medical protocols. This is very important for exotic pets because they are less common, and their medical needs may vary from more common and domesticated pets. Exotic pets require specialized care, so you should look for a vet who has experience with these animals.
When you are looking for a veterinarian for your exotic pet, be sure to ask them what experience they have with treating this type of animal. They should be able to provide you with specific examples of the treatment they have done in the past with other exotic pets like yours. If they don’t seem knowledgeable about your type of pet or have little experience, it may not be a good fit.
How do you find a good vet for your exotic pet?
The best way to find a vet who can care for your exotic pet is to ask around and do some research online. If you already have the name of someone who has experience with the type of animal that you have, then calling them is probably your best bet. If you don’t know who to call, then asking at the local pet store is another option.
Some pet stores will recommend a local veterinarian who works with the animals they sell. Just remember: not all vets are created equal. Just because someone has “Doctor” in front of their name doesn’t mean they’ll take great care of your animal.
Before finalizing a veterinary clinic, start by looking at several websites that offer reviews on local businesses. If possible, ask around for referrals from family and friends who have used a vet before. Searching online reviews will help you narrow down your choices into someone who can help your particular pet.
Select three or four clinics that seem like they would be good for your animal and make appointments for each one to visit your home and meet with you and your pet. This will give them an opportunity to see how your animal interacts with others around him or her.
When does your exotic pet need a vet?
When it comes to exotic pets, you need to be on the lookout for behavior or health issues that could require veterinary intervention.
Scientific research and behavioral observations have shown that animals in the wild display an incredible amount of intelligence and social skills. Sometimes, these abilities are superior to those of their domestic counterparts. It is important to remember that although some species are domesticated and may be kept as pets; they keep many of their natural instincts and behaviors.
As a pet owner, it is up to you to learn about the species in your care and be able to recognize signs that your pet needs medical attention. Here are some questions you should ask yourself if you think your exotic pet might need a vet:
- Does my pet seem listless or depressed? Does she seem unusually aggressive?
- Has my pet stopped eating her regular food? Has she been eating strange foods? Can she smell the food but not eat it?
- Does my pet respond normally when I call her name? Can she see me when I call her? Does she respond with any type of body language at all?
- Is my pet’s mouth open or closed when it is breathing? Is it panting excessively or congested looking? Is there a distinct odor coming from my pet’s mouth or body?
- Exotic pets are prone to different health problems than dogs and cats, so you’ll want to make sure that their vaccinations are up-to-date before bringing them home. Not only will this keep your pet from getting sick, but it will also prevent the spread of illness to your other pets. Talk with your vet about what shots are best for whichever type of animal you’re adopting.
- The most common medical issues with exotic pets include parasites like fleas, ticks and mites; internal parasites like worms; bacterial infections; and respiratory infections. Make sure your exotic pet has a vet who is familiar with its species if any of these things pop up.
What to expect from an exotic pet veterinarian?
If you’ve ever owned an exotic pet, you know that standard medicine for dogs and cats doesn’t always apply to your pets. They usually need special care and this is where exotic pet veterinarians come in.
Exotic pet veterinarians are specially trained to deal with animals that aren’t dogs or cats. These vets have extra training in order to treat animals like reptiles, amphibians, birds and other small mammals.
Expect your exotic pet vet to be extremely knowledgeable about his field of work. If you have a reptile, for example, an exotic pet veterinarian will know how to properly handle your pet and assess any injury it might have suffered. The vet’s knowledge may enable him to tell you what is wrong with your pet without even having to perform a physical exam on the animal.
Expect your vet to ask you a lot of questions. He’s trying to get a history on your pets because he wants to know how they’re feeding, what they’re eating, what they’re feeling and if they have any abnormal behaviors like self-mutilation.
Expect the veterinarian to perform a physical exam on your animal. He might take blood samples and run chemical tests on them as well as X-rays. Sometimes the hardest part is getting the animal into his examination room. Most vets have ways of doing this without causing harm or injury to your pet, but it takes time.
Treatments your veterinarian prescribes will depend on what he finds during the physical exam and lab tests. The vet might want to observe your animals for a while under anesthesia so he can study their reactions as he treats them.
Expect to pay higher fees for the services of an exotic pet veterinarian. The cost of treating exotic pets can be higher than with traditional pets. Veterinarians specializing in exotic pets also have fewer opportunities to gain experience than those who treat more common species, so they may charge more for their services to cover the costs of continuing education and training. Also, some exotic pets are endangered species and might need special permits to handle them while they are being treated.
Conclusion
Your search for a veterinarian has ended. I know your animal is important to you and you probably want the best care money can buy, which is why you’re looking for a veterinarian with experience treating exotic pets. Hopefully, this article helped you make an informed decision on who should treat your fur baby.