When it comes to exotic pets, owners are sometimes unaware of how much assistance veterinarians can provide. People with pets like iguanas, ferrets, parrots, snakes, and rodents don’t have to feel alone when it comes to caring for all their needs.
Exotic pets can be treated by the same veterinarian who handles routine checkups on cats and dogs. Because of the special care required for exotic pets, developing a close working relationship with your veterinarian is even more important. Here are some common reasons you should take your exotic pet to the vet.
Reasons to Take Your Exotic Pet to a Vet
Exotic pets have specific needs that must be met through regular wellness examinations. Here are six reasons why your beloved family member needs a regular checkup.
1. Strange Behavior
Consult an exotic vet if your pet is acting “odd” in any way. It’s important to know that just because a pet is exotic doesn’t mean its odd habits are always the result of its unique character. You must contact your vet immediately if you notice anything out of the ordinary with your exotic pet. This is because some strange behaviors aren’t caused by personality but could be signs of a bigger problem.
2. Nutritional and Dietary Needs
Your exotic pet needs a balanced diet to thrive. Pets’ dietary needs may change as they age. As your pet ages or develops food intolerances, you may need to adjust its diet and feeding schedule. Problems may arise if you attempt to change their diet without determining the cause of their unusual behavior.
Because of their sensitivity to malnutrition, exotic pets should only be cared for by trained professionals. There are pet foods on the market that your animal cannot tolerate or digest, so you should consult your veterinarian.
3. Nail Trimming and Grooming
Grooming and nail clipping are common needs for exotic pets. However, this may be challenging or even impossible to do on your own, depending on the type of pet you have. You can ask for help with both of these when you take your exotic pet to the vet. You can also inquire as to whether or not anesthetics are necessary for grooming or nail trimming. In that case, your pet’s veterinarian can help.
4. Vaccinations
Vaccinations are necessary regularly for some exotic species, but not all. How often and when you should vaccinate your exotic pet is totally up to the species you’re raising. For example, rabies vaccines are needed for many rodents, but not all of them. On the other hand, vaccines are rarely given to reptiles.
Talk to an exotic vet in Corpus Christi about what vaccines are necessary for your new exotic pet before bringing it home. Furthermore, the vet can inform you if the recommended vaccinations aren’t always necessary.
5. Preventative Care
Exotic pets require general care practices to ensure their health. To stay healthy, some species require regular visits to the veterinarian. With the help of advanced diagnostic tests at a veterinary laboratory, they can identify specific conditions and have frank discussions about common problems with your pet to help prevent disease. They should also perform parasite tests on pets. Humans can contract intestinal parasites from birds.
6. Signs of Illness
It goes without saying that if your exotic pet exhibits signs of illness, you should take it to the vet. However, it can be difficult to tell if certain animals are ill. For example, snakes are susceptible to upper respiratory infections. Still, it can be challenging to identify the symptoms in your pet. That’s why it’s important to consult a veterinarian specializing in internal medicine to learn about your pet’s internal health. You can browse here for more details about internal medicine.
