Exotic animals

What are “Exotic” animals?

“Exotic” implies the “weird and wonderful”, however this title can be used in veterinary circles to cover just about any species that is not a dog or cat! Rabbits are now the third most common pet in the UK, so it is probably inappropriate to term them as “exotic”, and the same might be said about Guinea Pigs and Hamsters. However, the critical fact is that whilst many of these pets are relatively common, they do have unique and specific care requirements. Failure to provide these requirements causes suffering and death. We will build up our library of advice and factsheets on these pets, but in the meantime, please make an appointment to discuss the needs of any pet before you acquire one.

Species that we more commonly attend to include:

• Rabbits
• Many species of caged birds
• Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, Gerbils, Chinchillas
• Tortoises and Terrapins
• Ferrets
• Fish
• Several species of lizard, including Geckos, Iguanas
• Several species of snakes
• Wildlife, including hedgehogs, birds of prey, marine mammals

Are all vets trained to treat exotic pets?

At New Era, there are a number of vets and nurses who are very knowledgeable in this area. Ian Cox has a wealth of knowledge and experience and three of our nurses have a certificate in nursing exotic species. All of the vets are very comfortable with treating the more common “children’s” pets, such as rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters and gerbils.

Does the hospital have appropriate facilities for these pets?

Yes – we have a dedicated ward containing a variety of specialist accommodation that cater specifically for the needs of these pets; the ward is situated well away from our main cat and dog areas to ensure our more sensitive patients are kept in a quiet calm environment