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Wellness Examinations &
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We recommend wellness examinations for all exotic animals. The physical examination is the most important part of the office visit, as this is the time for the vet to actually put his or her hands on the animal.
During the exam we look at the eyes, ears, nose, mouth, teeth, and skin. We feel the abdomen for any lumps, palpate lymph nodes and the limbs, and listen to the heart and lungs. This allows us to determine what is normal for your animal and to identify any abnormalities. Additionally, sometimes an animal can be carrying something that can make it (or you!) sick without showing signs of it. Annual bloodwork is recommended for most every animal we treat, just like the bloodwork your doctor checks for you. When to have this done can vary by age and by species, so the vet can go over your options with you. Microchip placement for permanent identification is another helpful service that can be used to identify your pet in case they get lost. It’s common for exotic animals to not show signs of illness, so sometimes we find something on exam that you may not have noticed. Spotting potential issues early during a wellness exam allows us to address them before they become more serious problems. This will lead to a happier pet and owner! There are many services we can provide at a wellness visit. Vaccines are recommended for some species, such as ferrets, other carnivores, and miniature pigs, but most of the animals we treat don’t require any annual vaccinations. Fecal examinations are recommended to check for internal parasites. One of the best things you can do for your exotic pet is to thoroughly research what type of care they will need and to bring them in for a wellness visit soon after they come to live with you. Providing the proper diet, habitat, enrichment, lighting, temperature, and humidity goes a long way in preventing many common illnesses, and we want to make sure you are on the right track! Our staff is well trained in the proper care of the species that we treat. As part of your office visit, we will go over everything you are doing at home to care for your pet, and we can offer recommendations if you have concerns or questions about anything. We also stock many exotic animal foods and products, and we can discuss proper nutrition. We can also make recommendations to help manage behavior problems or any other concerns you have about your exotic pet. Our goal is to keep your pet happy and healthy for as long as possible! |