Paying Particular Attention to Husbandry
Some of the aspects of husbandry we cover include:
Habitat
The habitat for your exotic pet should match as closely as possible to their natural habitat in the wild. Reptiles and amphibians all require UVB lighting and a temperature gradient to regulate their heat, while many small mammals and birds simply need a temperature-controlled environment with plenty of ventilation. Other things to consider include toys and other forms of mental stimulation to keep them from becoming bored.
Nutrition
Nutrition for exotics should also match their wild diet, but this can be difficult if your pet comes from a different part of the world than where you live. Luckily, there are pelleted diets for many birds and small mammals that meet all your pet’s nutritional needs. Many reptiles are herbivores (who eat dark leafy greens and vegetables) or omnivores (who eat insects and small animals in addition to vegetation), but some, such as snakes are strictly carnivores.
Socialization
Looking at your pet’s natural environment is a great way to determine if your pet would prefer a solitary or social life. Birds, for example, are flock animals, and do much better with a friend or two. Reptiles on the other hand are mostly solitary and would much prefer to have their own enclosure.
Handling
Due to their wilder nature, exotic pets require different handling than cats and dogs. While many rabbits, ferrets, small mammals, and birds are quite used to human touch; others, such as snakes and chameleons, are not adapted to it. When handling reptiles, it’s best to work slowly, support their full body weight, and not allow more than one or two other people around them. Too much interaction could cause undue stress and your pet may even lash out.
Talk to our rabbit, avian or reptile vet today about exotic pet care and how you can improve your pet’s quality of life and keep them with you for longer!
What Your Neighbors Say About Us...
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“Their care of him and us was kind and compassionate. When we adopted our beloved hound dog about a year later, we chose WVG for her medical care and we have been thrilled with that decision.”
Rev. Paula T. -
“The veterinarians are very knowledgeable and explain things with great detail and are caring. The staff is awesome as well.”
Susan V. -
“Dr. Hubbard was AMAZING! She went over diagnostic options and answered all our questions. She helped me really understand what was going on with my baby and what the best course of action was for our baby. She was genuinely a very caring doctor and person.”
Vicky H. -
“During COVID one of my dogs who is a senior dog got really sick diagnosis unknown however the doctor who treated her figured out the possible issue and 3 years later healthy as ever.”
Xiomara S. -
“Great doctors all around. In particular, they are great about communicating with each other - so I can see any of the great doctors and they know what has been going on (which makes scheduling appointments a breeze as they're all good choices!)”
Melissa B.
Services for Exotic Pets
Our services for exotic pets are similar to those for cats and dogs but cater to the unique needs of your individual pets. One of the most important services for exotic pets is wellness care. Many exotic pets are prey animals, and so have a very keen instinct to hide any sign of illness or injury. In the wild, this would have helped them survive; however, in the safety of your home, it just makes it harder for you to notice any change! Annual wellness exams allow us to catch subtle signs of illness so we can treat your pet before it gets worse.
Services we offer include:
- Wellness exams
- Beak, nail, and wing trims for birds
- Diagnostics (fecal exams, bloodwork, X-rays, etc.)
- Surgery (spays and neuters, tumor removals, etc.)
- Vaccines (for certain species like ferrets)
- And more
Union offers 24-hours emergency and critical care (Thursday - Sunday), onsite diagnostic, hospitalized care (including ICU & Isolation), specialty referral consultations, exotic appointments, wellness and preventive services, surgery, dentistry, and goodbye services. The clinic has caring veterinarians that will provide the best possible care to every pet.
Westfield offers wellness + preventive services, diagnostics, surgery, dentistry, rehabilitation, and goodbye services. 99% of the time we will fit you in the same day. The clinic has a large + diverse amount of services and caring veterinarians that will provide the best possible care to every pet.
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Union (Urgent & Emergency Care)
1325 Morris Avenue
Union, NJ 07083 908-777-8387 Map -
Westfield
562 Springfield Ave.
Westfield, NJ 07090 908-232-1048 Map
