Exotic Animals We Tend To

At the United Veterinary Center, we treat a wide variety of pets. Some of the more popular animals we care for, however, include:

• Mammals:
  • Ferrets
  • Fennec foxes
  • Hamsters
  • Hedgehogs
  • Gerbils
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Rabbits
  • Rats
  • Chinchillas
  • Sugar gliders
  • Skunks
  • Domestic pigs
• Amphibians:
  • Frogs and Toads
  • Newts
  • Salamanders
• Birds:
  • Parrots
  • Cockatoos
  • Cockatiels
  • Macaws
• Reptiles:
  • Tortoises and Turtles
  • Snakes
  • Lizards

Why Veterinary Care for Exotic Animals is so Complicated

Many pet owners assume that they can take their pet lizard, snake, cockatoo or tortoise to just any veterinarian when they are sick or injured, but the truth is that a doctor that specializes in cats, dogs and horses is not going to know too much about tiny amphibians and large, unusual birds. While veterinary school teaches students about the basics of feline and canine care, those that wish to specialize in exotic animals must do a majority of their studying on the side and after graduation. Many exotic veterinarians study under other exotic vets so as to gain hands on experience. So, when your typical veterinary clinic tells you to take your skunk to an exotic animal hospital, be grateful, not angry. They’re just doing you—and your pet—a favor.

Exotic animal care centers are trained in the handling of small critters and have the special equipment necessary to provide treatment in a safe and comfortable manner. Additionally, they are knowledgeable on what exotic pets need to live a long and healthy life, whereas most dog and cat veterinarians are not. This is huge, as an exotic creature, such as tortoise or parrot, which is on the wrong diet for too long may be too far gone for help. It is imperative that a healthy diet is established early on, something that a veterinarian who specializes in exotic animals can advise you on.

Rabbit Care

“Exotic rabbit.” When you adopted a bunny, you likely never thought in a million years that it would be considered “exotic,” but the truth is that rabbits, due to their miniature size, are considered exotic by most animal hospitals. For additional information on the unique care that a rabbit requires, visit our Rabbit Care page.

Avian Veterinary Care

Birds are beautiful, exotic creatures that people love to adopt, but unfortunately, once adopted, people are unsure of how to care for them. This can negatively impact a bird’s health and even shorten its lifespan. Like with all animals, if you take a bird out of the wild, you must ensure that you provide it with the proper care, diet, exercise and environment if you want it to thrive, something that an avian and exotic animal clinic can help you do.

Care for Other Exotic Animals

At the United Veterinary Center, our exotic pet vet and team of associates is trained to deal with exotic animals of all sizes. From knowing which vaccines they need to being fully equipped to treat them in instances of emergencies, our team can provide your pet with the care and attention they need to live a long, happy and healthy lifestyle.

If you have an exotic pet and your local veterinarian has informed you to find an exotic animal veterinarian, reach out to the United Veterinary Center today to see how we can help you.