At Mariposa Veterinary Wellness Center, our avian, small mammal and exotic patients are carefully examined by one of our three exotics-trained veterinarians: Dr. J.C. Burcham, Dr. Anthony Carrier, or Dr. Amanda Kinnon. Our experienced veterinarians treat a variety of birds, rabbits, sugar gliders, guinea pigs, ferrets, lizards, snakes, turtles and other pocket pets as well as the occasional goat and pig. For safety reasons, we are unable to treat venomous animals or primates.
With three avian/exotic veterinarians on staff, Mariposa Veterinary Wellness Center offers experience, compassion and dedication to provide the best care possible for your unique companion! Our doctors have personal experience with owning exotic animals and they regularly attend continuing education courses specifically highlighting these species, their special considerations and medical needs. There is a lot to know when treating non-traditional pets, and the Mariposa Veterinary Wellness Center team is dedicated to providing the best care possible to those with fur, scales, feathers or scutes.
Our veterinarians understand the importance of preventive care for birds and exotic pets, because they instinctively hide signs of illness. Regular wellness examinations allow us to identify subtle problems before they become emergencies while ensuring proper nutrition, housing, lighting, and husbandry.
Why Exotic Pet Owners Choose Mariposa
- Three veterinarians who see birds and exotic pets
- Integrative approach combining conventional and complementary medicine
- Advanced diagnostics including digital radiography and ultrasound
- Acupuncture and laser therapy when appropriate
- Extensive client education on nutrition and husbandry
- Experience caring for everything from parrots to raptors, and rabbits to reptiles, ferrets, hedgehogs, pigs, and backyard poultry
Birds
Examples of birds treated at Mariposa Veterinary Wellness Center include all kinds of parrots (cockatoos, African Greys, Amazons, macaws, Poicephalus spp., conures, and many others), finches, canaries, chickens, ducks, geese, toucans, birds of prey, and just about anything with feathers. Services include: comprehensive physical exams, wing trims, nail trims, beak trimming, blood work, fecal analysis (gram stains and direct exams), DNA sexing, microchipping, and testing for various diseases and toxicities. We can also perform laser therapy as needed for injuries and arthritis.
Species-specific handling: Birds experience stress differently than dogs and cats. Our team uses gentle handling techniques, species-appropriate restraint, and a calm environment to minimize fear whenever possible. When appropriate, anesthesia is used to minimize stress.
Ferrets
We understand the special nature of ferrets and the range of medical problems they can develop. We offer comprehensive physical exams for all ferret life stages, and we recommend routine bloodwork to screen for various problems. Treatments available for ailments such as adrenal disease include Lupron injections and deslorelin implants, as well as surgery.
Rabbits
The unique needs of rabbits requires that a veterinarian have familiarity and experience with their physiology and behavior. Our veterinarians have the experience and bunny compassion that all vets who treat this species should have (but unfortunately, not all do!). Preventive care (including examination of the teeth to check for abnormal molar or incisor growth) and proper nutrition are the key to keeping your bunny healthy, and we would love to discuss these needs further with you. We also provide spay and neuter services for rabbits.
Rodents
Guinea pigs, chinchillas, rats, hamsters, and other rodents all have specific needs regarding their diet, cage set-up, and environment. Wellness exams and preventive care are a must to ensure a long, happy life. Every exam includes thorough examination of the teeth, as dental care is especially important in these species!
Reptiles & Amphibians
Snakes, geckos, bearded dragons, iguanas, chameleons, turtles and tortoises, monitors, tegus, salamanders, frogs–these are just a few of the types of unusual species we see at Mariposa Veterinary Wellness Center! As with most exotics, a review of proper husbandry (cage setup, heating, lighting, diet–including feeding methods) are a necessity when it comes to providing the best comprehensive care.
We’re proud to be a BioDude Affiliate! Check out BioDude for more information about bioactive substrates for reptiles.
Other Exotics
Pot-bellied pigs, goats, wallabies, sugar gliders, hedgehogs, and exotic cats don’t fit into the categories above, but all are welcome here. Don’t see your type of pet listed in the above categories? Call us! Just about the only kinds of animals we don’t treat are: fish, venomous snakes/lizards, and primates.
Resources
Some links you may find useful:
- GuineaLynx – Medical & Care Guide for Guinea Pigs
- GuineaPigCages.com – Instructions on how to build your own cage for guinea pigs–even better than what you’d buy in a store, and costs less too!
- Rat Guide – A guide to health, medication use, breeding, and responsible care of pet rats
- Oxbow Animal Health – A great company committed to providing great products for small, furry critters!
- House Rabbit Society – an international nonprofit that rescues rabbits and educates the public on proper care of rabbits
- Anapsid.org – Melissa Kaplan’s Herp Care Collection, filled with excellent information
- UV Lighting for Reptiles – More information that you ever wanted to know about UV lighting for reptiles!
- MyToos.com – Important site to visit before getting a cockatoo