Preventive Medicine
is the foundation of that approach, helping your animal thrive, not just survive.
Prevention is always better then treatment!
Preventive medicine plays a key role in the long-term health and well-being of exotic animals.
In our experience, the majority of medical conditions seen in exotic species are directly or indirectly related to inadequate husbandry, including improper environment, nutrition, lighting, temperature, or humidity.
Regular health evaluations allow us to identify and correct these issues before they lead to disease, and to detect medical problems at an early stage, when treatment is most effective.
Because exotic animals are highly skilled at masking signs of illness, routine wellness exams are essential and even when your pet appears healthy.
Recommended exam frequency
- Initial wellness examination following adoption
- Young and adult birds & small mammals: every 12 months
- Senior birds & small mammals: every 6 months
- Reptiles & amphibians: every 12 months
- Chronically ill animals: as recommended by your veterinarian
Preventive medicine appointments may include discussion on:
- Environmental conditions(enclosure design, temperature gradients, humidity, lighting, UVB exposure)
- Nutrition and feeding practices
- Behavior and handling
- Preventive Testing & Screening (Depending on the species and individual risk factors)
- Sterilization or reproductive management (when applicable)
- Vaccinations (species-dependent)
- Strategies for treating parasites, dewormer and external antiparasitic
- Preparing for the arrival of a new animal and quarantine protocols to reduce the risk of disease transmission within the household
Full body exam is performed
During this examination, our veterinarians carefully assess your pet from head to tail, including body condition, skin and feathers or scales, eyes, ears, oral cavity, musculoskeletal system, digestive system, cardiac and respiratory auscultation and overall behavior.
Preventive testing may include:
- Blood work and wellness panels
- Fecal examinations (coprology/parasitology)
- Disease screening tests
- Sex determination (DNA or other methods)
