Veterinary Care for Exotic Animals

In human health care, certain diseases usually require specialized medical care. If you have a broken hand, for example, you will see an orthopedist. This is a doctor who specializes in treating broken bones. In the same way, you will see an ophthalmologist or optometrist if you have an eye problem.

 

Logically, if you keep an exotic animal as a pet, you should seek veterinary care from a vet who specializes in treating unique species. Examples of exotic pets include reptiles, birds, pot-bellied pigs, ferret, hedgehog, rabbits, amphibians, and more. A general veterinarian may have basic knowledge about such animals. However, only veterinarians with special training truly have the knowledge and experience necessary to care for exotic animals.

 

Difference Between Veterinarians and Physicians

Physicians have the advanced training needed to care for humans only. Veterinarians, on the other hand, need to care for many different species of animals. Most veterinary schools usually concentrate on training veterinarians about common animals such as horses, dogs, cats, goats, cows, sheep, and pigs.

 

Only a few schools teach about exotic animals. However, when students graduate, people expect them to know how to treat any kind of animal that ends up at the animal hospital. Furthermore, unlike physicians who specialize in specific medical fields, such as dermatology or optometry, veterinarians train to be generalists. This means that they do everything from pathology to dentistry to surgery.

 

Care Basics for Exotic Animals

Many people tend to think that exotic animals are low-maintenance pets or beginner pets. This assumption could not be further from the truth. Just like regular pets, exotic pets need routine veterinary care, an exciting lifestyle, a healthy diet, and plenty of love. In order for them to have a long and happy life, exotic pets need proper care.

 

Why Is Caring for Exotic Animals So Difficult?

Each Exotic Species Is Unique

You need to understand that each animal species is unique. Therefore, if you have a cat, you should not consider it to be a small dog. If a veterinarian applied what he/she knows about cats to dogs, it would lead to inappropriate or inadequate treatment. This is especially true when it comes to exotic pets. Treating a wide range of exotic animals requires lots of experience, interest, time, skill, and research time.

 

Stress and Environment

Additionally, many exotic animals do not domesticate as easily as a cat or dog. Exotics hate unfamiliar environments, and most react badly to stress. For example, a brightly lit or noisy animal hospital with a busy waiting room and barking dogs is a terrible environment for an egg-bound cockatiel or a weak guinea pig. A good exotic pet ward should have controlled humidity and temperatures appropriate for each patient.

 

Handling of Exotic Animals

Veterinarians need to know how to handle each species of exotic pets. They also need qualified and experienced technicians to assist. For example, taking blood from certain animals, such as an iguana, or trying to peek inside the beak of a Macaw requires lots of patience and experience. It requires a qualified and gifted veterinarian.

 

Veterinary care for exotic animals also requires specialized equipment and ethics. Since many exotic animals hide illnesses as a way to survive, many people who own such pets often take them to the animal hospital when they are too far gone. The commercial pet industry may be at fault because pet stores will sell any animal to anyone, even if there are red flags written all over.

 

Learn more about veterinary care for exotic animals, contact Vet Express in Port of Spain, Trinidad at (868) 221-2257  to schedule an appointment.