Exotic animals as pets are increasing in popularity. There are an estimated 17.6 million exotic animals living in homes across the US. We know finding care for these special animals can be difficult. At Arrowhead we can take care of your basic exotic care needs. Exotics pets require special care, and we are here to help you with husbandry issues, treat common ailments, provide wellness, surgical, and dental care. Special care will be taken to ensure your pet stays warm and cozy while in our care.
Species we can see:
Turtles, lizards, frogs, non-venomous snakes, hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, rats, chinchillas, sugar gliders, ferrets, hedgehogs, fish, and birds (includes chickens and ducks), sheep and goats.
When to schedule a visit
Birds: Any weakness, staying on the bottom of the cage not perching, fluffed up while perched, sleeping a lot, not talking or singing (if normally does), loose droppings, not eating, blood in droppings, blood loss of any kind, prolonged straining to pass stool or egg.
Ferrets: diarrhea, vomiting, pawing at the mouth (may indicate nausea due to dangerously low blood sugar), frequent trips to the litter box with little or no urine production, pain in the abdomen, depression, lack of appetite.
Rabbits, small mammals, marsupials: Diarrhea or decreased numbers of stools, lack of appetite, weak or depressed, painful when lifted or touched, head tilted to one side, rolling, flipping.
Reptiles/Amphibians: weak or unresponsive, open-mouthed breathing, tremoring or twitching, prolonged lack of appetite, frantic movements, bloody droppings, prolonged straining to pass stool or egg.
Fish: Rapid respirations, thick slime coating on body, red or white blotches on skin, listless, rubbing frantically against bottom of tank, loss of equilibrium.
Remember to warm up your car adequately in the winter and bundle up your pet in an appropriate carrier and blankets. In summer, be cautious not to overheat your bird, ferret, rabbit, small mammal, or marsupial in a hot car.
At Arrowhead, we are committed to providing quality care for every pet that we can. However, this is not a specialty emergency hospital, and you may be asked to refer from time to time based on the severity of the case and our current case load. Please feel free to reach out to us if you feel your pet needs to be seen so we can advise you on the best possible schedule.
