Exotic Pet Care

Exotic Pet Care in Leesville, LA

Preventative Care and More

Exotic pets including small mammals, rabbits, reptiles, and birds all require routine veterinary medicine to keep them healthy. At Entrance Road Veterinary Clinic in Leesville, LA, our veterinarians have the experience to provide specific exotic pet care for each species. We put a strong emphasis on preventive care for exotics in order to prevent illness and prolong their lives so you can enjoy more time with them.

Services We Provide for Exotic Pets

Our veterinarians are skilled in rabbit, small mammal, bird, and reptile care.

During an exam, we can perform several services to help maintain their health including:

• Physical exam

• Fecal exam (to check for intestinal parasites)

• Blood work

• Vaccinations, if needed (some exotic pets like ferrets may need a rabies vaccine similar to dogs and cats)

• Nail trims

• Beak trims for birds

Essential Aspects of Exotic Pet Care

During an exotic pet care exam, we’ll go over essential aspects of your extraordinary pet’s unique husbandry needs. Small mammals, reptiles, and birds all require environments and diets that closely match the natural habitat they would have in the wild. A lack in either habitat or diet can cause undue stress on your pet and make them ill.

In fact, in most cases of illness, an environmental or nutritional problem is to blame. In order to help you take the best care of your pet, we’ll discuss their home life with you and address any areas where improvements can be made.

Areas of their home life we'll discuss include:

• Habitat – Your pet’s enclosure should match their natural habitat. For reptiles, this often means a UV light overhead for them to sun themselves. Amphibians likely need a mix of both dry land and water to swim in. While rabbits and birds need a proper enclosure as well as time outside it for exercise! It’s important to do your research so you understand all of your pet’s unique needs before you decide to add them to your family.

• Diet – Again, their diet should match their natural diet in the wild, while also giving them all the nutrition they need to be healthy. Many reptiles, birds, and small mammals are herbivores, but some, like the bearded dragon, are omnivores. Others still, like snakes, are strictly carnivores. Do your research to fully understand your pet’s dietary needs. Or better yet, ask us!

• Socialization – In the wild, some pets live in groups or pairs, such as birds, which are flock animals, and sugar gliders that live in a community. Others, like reptiles, are best left on their own in their private enclosures. Putting reptiles together can often cause undue stress through territorial conflicts.

• Handling – The amount you are able to interact with and handle your pet depends on each species and each individual’s personality. Many reptiles and amphibians are better off with minimal handling, although bearded dragons are known to be quite friendly! Small exotic mammals, on the other hand, are generally quite accustomed to humans, but always treat them with gentleness and patience.

Whether you already have an exotic pet or are looking into adding one of these fascinating creatures to your home, we’re here to help you in your journey.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions you have!