Annual Exams for Exotic Pets? You bet!
Unlike dogs and cats, many of our common exotic pets do not require annual vaccination. The most notable exception is the ferret, which receives annual Distemper and Rabies vaccines. Often, exotic pet owners conclude that their pets then do not need to come to the veterinarian unless they are sick. However, we think you’ll find you will have healthier pets that live longer and that you will have more rewarding relationships with your exotic pets if you bring them in for an annual examination.
These office visits not only allow us to fully examine your pet, but also allow us to discuss proper husbandry, address any behavior concerns before they escalate, and make recommendations for species appropriate preventative healthcare measures to fully assess the health of your pet. Husbandry is a topic some of you might not be familiar with. essentially husbandry refers to all the measures we take to keep our exotic pets healthy. This includes diet, lighting, temperature, humidity, cage type and size, cage substrate, cage furniture (perches for birds; rocks, branches, water features for reptiles; hide boxes, etc. for rodents), toys, and exercise. Many of our exotic pets are prey species and, as such, instinctively hide illness until they are too ill to display normal behaviors. Once we recognize that our exotic pets are ill, they are often seriously compromised. The most at risk for this scenario are our avian species.
What can you expect at an annual exam? While this will largely depend on the species of your exotic pet, all patients will receive a thorough physical exam. Recommendations will be made based on both the species of your pet and any abnormal physical exam findings. For our feathered friends, we often recommend routine blood panels and fecal checks as part of their annual exam. This is to aid your veterinarian in early diagnosis of any abnormalities, as we are limited in what we can actually examine in birds. All carnivorous and insectivorous reptiles should have a yearly intestinal parasite check and a routine blood panel is recommended for most lizard species. Small mammals, such as rodents, guinea pigs, rabbits and chinchillas will have a thorough exam, with special attention to their teeth. If your small mammal pet spends time outside, an intestinal parasite check will also be recommended. Blood testing in these species is recommended on a case by case basis.
The annual office visit is your chance to discuss your pet and any concerns or questions can be addressed. Many of the illnesses and problems we see in our exotic pets are husbandry related, so having the opportunity to evaluate your husbandry practices in an unbiased setting is critical to supporting your pet’s health and longevity. Beth R. Rodney, DVM
