Who are exotic pets?
Exotic pets are becoming more and more popular besides dogs and cats. Owner’s knowledge about keeping exotic pets is increasing and due this, more help is sought from the veterinary clinics. Other parts of the world exotic pets are also known as non-traditional companion animals, but in Estonian language we are using the term “Exotic pets” for animals who are not dogs or cats but kept still at home as companion animals. Exotic pets are rabbits, ferrets, parrots, African hedgehogs, sugar gliders, reptiles and different rodents: guinea pigs, chinchillas, hamsters, degus and rats.
Most commonly owners come to Estonian University Small Animal clinic with rabbits, guineapigs, rats, ferrets or parrots.
There is a lot of information out in the Internet about health problems and treatments, still diagnosis should be made and treatment prescribed by a veterinarian who has deeper knowledge about exotic pets. Many drugs and supplements, that are sold in human pharmacies are not suitable for animals, and especially for exotic animals, because their specific anatomy and physiology. Also, many drugs suitable for dogs and cats are suitable for exotics. Using wrong medication or supplements can cause more harm than good, so in cases of health issues proper veterinarian should be visited. Exotic pets hide their signs of illness until the last moment, so regular health check is needed to detect any problems early on. Young animals should be checked once a year, older animals 2-3 times per year.
What do we do?
The Small Animal Clinic of Estonian University can be visited with a pet just for a husbandry consultation or in cases of health problems. We do first opinion visits as well as referrals from other veterinarians.
Services, that are offered:
- Husbandry consultations
- Behavioral problem consultations for rabbits, rodents or ferrets
- Regular health-checks
- Diagnostics and treatment of dermatological and ophthalmologic problems
- Parasite problems: external and internal parasites, fecal sample check-ups
- Diagnostics and treatment of dental problems, dental trimmings, and removal of teeth
- Imaging diagnostics: ultrasound, radiographs, computed tomography, and MRI
- Blood sampling
- Surgery: planned and emergency surgery, pathological (neoplasia, abscesses, wounds) or non-pathological surgery (spay and neuter)
- Diagnostics and treatment of neurological problems
- Orthopedic problems and if necessary, we collaborate with orthopedic surgeons
- Cardiologic problems collaborating with cardiologist
- Hospitalization
Most common causes for clinic visits?
Most commonly exotic pets arrive to the small animal clinic due to anorexia, depression, but also with nodules or masses and dental problems.
Many owners come with their pets for regular health checks, vaccinations, or surgical procedures.
Every visit we do, we ask information about husbandry, take proper anamnesis, do a clinical evaluation of the pet and then we can decide if and what kind of diagnostic procedures and the treatment the pet needs. Due to the large number of different species and different diseases, there is not always one specific working protocol, but we take into account the specific patient who is seen by the veterinarian.
What to keep in mind when visiting the clinic?
- Exotic pet who is kept with a companion, should be brought to the clinic with the companion to reduce stress that is caused by the visit.
- The animal should have his/her own banket (that has the pet’s smell), suitable substrate and food (if not indicated otherwise) in the transport cage. Rabbits and rodents are prey animals, meaning they become stressed more easily and to reduce the stress, the visit and transport to the clinic should be made as comfortable as possible
3. When coming for a visit, time should be taken and on the first visit a husbandry form should be filled. This is so we could give advice about husbandry and proper feeding, if necessary, do corrections, so the pet could have the best life possible. Many diseases in exotic pets are caused or amplified by incorrect husbandry.
4.Husbandry form should be filled as exactly as possible, so at home photos of the dry food could be take, so we can check if they are suitable for your pet.
5. When rabbits are brought to the visit room, they should be let run freely in the room if possible. Rabbits are curious animals, and this helps to reduce the stress.
6. Guinea pigs, chinchillas and other small rodents should be kept in their cages, but ferrets should be let to run around but trashcan can should be removed from the floor.
7. Reptiles should be kept warm when visiting the clinic, for this a box with hot water bottle or warm water bag should be used.
8. If you have previously visited some other clinic due to some health issues, please bring information from your clinic with you.
