At Parkway Veterinary Center, we realize that best friends come in all shapes and sizes, so we’re happy to see and treat small mammals (sometimes known as “pocket pets”), exotic pets, and birds!
Small Mammals & Exotic Pets
These little buddies are fun companions but do require regular care and attention to be healthy. They can also carry disease, so you must be aware of proper handling and hygiene. The small mammals and exotic pets we see include:
- Snakes
- Lizards
- Rabbits
- Hedgehogs
- Rats/Mice
- Hamsters
- Ferrets
- Guinea pigs
- Sugar gliders
Most illnesses in these pets are a result of incorrect care, so having a veterinarian to help you maintain the health of your pet is essential. Once you adopt your pet, schedule a wellness exam so that we can assist you in learning about how to properly care for, feed, and identify problems in the animal.
Avian Care (Birds & Chickens)
Birds make wonderful, fascinating friends—but can be high-maintenance pets. The single most important thing you can do to maintain your avian pet’s health is to make sure you keep up with regular veterinary exams. Birds are very good at hiding signs of illness or injury, so don’t let them fool you! While twice per year is optimal, at minimum they should see the veterinarian annually to:
- check body condition and weight
- inspect skin and feathering
- examine eyes, ears, nose, and throat
- palpate the abdomen
- listen to heart, lungs, and air sacs
- discuss diet and socialization
- test alertness
We may also recommend routine testing for parasites, inflammation, bacterial infections, anemia, nutritional health, immune system function and disease.
Have questions or want to book an appointment for your pocket pet or bird? Give us a call at (941) 351-8888.