Dogs

Exotic Pet Ownership: What You Need to Know About Exotic Vets

One common mental image of a veterinarian is someone who treats animals. There is, however, more than one type of veterinarian. To be sure, there are specialized fields of study within the veterinary profession. An exotic animal vet is among them. While there is currently a shortage of veterinarians who care for exotic animals, this is beginning to change. And especially among the young. Snakes, lizards, chameleons, gerbils, and guinea pigs are not the only exotic creatures. They describe birds and other strange pets as “exotic animals.” So let’s study everything there is to know about exotic animal veterinarians.

Exotic Animals

The term “exotics” describes animals that are not common house pets, such as cats, dogs, or livestock. The list of instances includes reptiles, birds, and even some small mammals. When it comes to expert care, such a vast scope creates challenges. Although there are several veterinary colleges, most specialize in domestic animals.

 

Many individuals don’t realize how long it takes to train to become an expert on a single species. As a result, when someone’s exotic pet falls unwell, they often expect any veterinarian they come across for advanced veterinary care. After all, they’re all pets, right? Wrong.

Exotic Veterinarians

An exotic veterinarian cannot treat all types of exotic pets. They only heal ONE species of animal. Previously, specialization in veterinary medicine was not required. The “exotic vets” I’ve seen have been perfectly capable of taking care of my pets as if they were any other kind. In doing so, they would be able to help more animals by expanding on their knowledge from working with one species. However, a cat is not the same as a little dog. We now know better after several tragedies caused by inadequate therapy.

 

A trained bird vet cannot treat tiny mammals, and the same should be expected if you bring a marsupial to rabbits vets. Choosing an exotic vet with experience with your pet’s species is important. They should be denied counseling if their credentials aren’t up to par; else, treatment would be futile.

Exotic Animal Care

Extreme skill and extensive understanding of a species are required while caring for exotic pets. All exotic pets have specific nutritional, environmental, and care needs. An exotic vet is what you need for your ailing chameleon. A skilled specialist is required to assess how much anesthetic your parrot can safely get.

 

If you check here, surgical tools have to be unique and specific. Veterinary clinics need to have access to specialized dental equipment and oxygen cages. One of the requirements for becoming a  vet is an experienced deal with unexpected situations. Only a knowledgeable and experienced exotic vet will know that many exotic pets are not well suited to life as house pets.

 

For instance, a little sick pig might not fare well in a room with many people, noise, and bright lights. As with every living creature, each pet has specific needs in terms of temperature and humidity.

In Conclusion

Many domestic pets, such as birds, reptiles, and rodents, may not have access to necessary medical attention since traditional veterinary practices have historically prioritized the care of canines and felines. Therefore, some veterinarians opt to focus on the treatment of specific species. There is a shortage of veterinarians that specialize in caring for exotic animals. But maybe more people will be engaging in this activity in the future.