It’s so important that pets of all shapes and sizes have access to excellent veterinary care, including emergency care – so what do you do when your pet with scales, feathers or fins isn’t feeling well?
Fortunately, there are veterinarians who specialize in caring for avian and exotic animals, so your pet has access to experts who can help them feel better.
Avian and exotic vets treat a wide range of species, including:
- Small mammals like rabbits, guinea pigs and ferrets
- Birds like parrots, cockatiels and macaws
- Reptiles like snakes, lizards and turtles
What are avian and exotic veterinarians?
Avian and exotic veterinarians have advanced training to understand the unique anatomies of many pets, including small mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.
They also provide a variety of services for these pets, including:
- General wellness, preventative care and annual exams
- Treating illnesses
- Diagnostic testing and imaging
- Urgent and emergency care
Similar to other disciplines of veterinary medicine, avian and exotic veterinarians can also pursue board certification or additional credentials within their field of study.
What is the difference between a veterinarian and an avian and exotics veterinarian?
Cats and dogs are considered the standard for small animal veterinary study, so most veterinarians, including family vets and ER vets, primarily study these two species during their schooling, training and continuing education.
In addition to learning about canine and feline medicine, avian and exotic vets study the medical needs of the less common species of pets and they’re specifically trained and equipped to deliver individualized medicine for these animals. They are experts at handling, diagnosing, treating and optimizing the health of the species they care for.
What animals do avian and exotic vets treat?
Pets of all sizes, shapes and color benefit from routine veterinary care. That’s why avian and exotic vets treat species like:
- Birds: Parrots, finches, cockatiels, cockatoos, lovebirds, conures, ducks, chickens and macaws
- Small mammals: Rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, hedgehogs, ferrets, hamsters, sugar gliders, gerbils, rats and mice
- Reptiles: Snakes, lizards, tortoises, turtles and iguanas
- Amphibians: Frogs, toads and salamanders
In some cases, they also treat exotic cats, fish and small hoofed animals (like pigs or goats).
If you have a very rare exotic pet, it’s a good idea to call your local avian and exotic vet and make sure they’re able to treat them.
What should I know about avian and exotic veterinary care?
Each species has a distinct biology, and an avian and exotic veterinarian will understand their needs like:
- Proper handling
- Climate control
- Common illnesses
- Healthy diet and nutrition
- Preventive care
- Lab work analysis
- Prescription medications
Many exotic animals (like rabbits and mice) are animals typically hunted by other animals, so they’ll instinctively hide any sign of pain or illness as a method of survival. An avian and exotic veterinarian has the knowledge to do the medical detective work it sometimes takes to understand what’s really going on with your exotic pet’s health.
They treat birds and other exotic pets every day, so they have lots of hands-on experience treating pets that you usually wouldn’t find in other vet clinics.
What should I do if my avian or exotic pet has an emergency?
Pet emergencies can happen to any pet at any time, and our feathered and scaled companions are no exception.
If you’re wondering if your local emergency veterinary hospital will treat your pet in an emergency, the answer is usually: “It depends.”
Not all pet ERs treat avian and exotic animals. It depends on their facility, veterinarians and policies. If your bird or exotic pet is facing an emergency, it’s a good idea to call ahead and explain your situation. You may be met with one of the following scenarios:
1. They’ll treat your pet
Many pet emergency hospitals will help treat avian and exotic pets in situations like:
- Swallowed foreign bodies
- Trauma or major injuries like cuts, burns or suspected broken bones
- Severe diarrhea or vomiting in small mammals
- Ingestion of toxins or poisons
- Infections
In these cases, an emergency vet may be able to oversee your pet’s case from start to finish, while sending a report back to your pet’s family vet.
2. They’ll stabilize and transfer your pet
In critical emergencies, some ER vets will stabilize your pet until they can be transferred to a vet with experience in avian and exotic care, whether within the same hospital or at a separate location.
Stabilizing your pet may involve:
- IV fluids and hydration therapy
- Initial medications
- Cleaning and dressing a wound
Once transferred, an avian and exotic vet can further address the concern and complete your pet’s treatment.
3. They’ll refer you elsewhere
Some ERs aren’t staffed or equipped to handle avian and exotic emergencies, and they’ll likely refer you to another local facility that can help your pet.
How do I find an avian and exotic veterinarian for emergencies?
If you have an exotic pet, you’ll want to research options on where to take them in an emergency – ideally ahead of time so you know exactly what to do if an urgent situation arises.
Here are a few ways to find an avian and exotic vet for emergency situations:
- Ask your family vet: They may offer after-hours or emergency care options for situations when your pet needs immediate attention. They can also refer you to a veterinary ER in your area that can treat your pet.
- Online research: Search for veterinary hospitals that treat your type of pet. If you’re not sure based on their online information, call the practice and ask.
Avian and exotic pets are popular in the U.S., and fortunately, that means access to top-notch care for these animals is also expanding. Research your options so you know how to get your pet the care they need in any scenario.
