If you have an exotic pet, you need to ensure that the animal remains in good health. Exotic pets need quality care just like other pets. Working with an exotic animal vet will help you get the help you need.
A pet wellness exam will help ensure that the animal is in optimal health. The vet carries out the wellness exam even when the animal looks healthy. It is not about treating a sick pet but maintaining its good health. Here are FAQs on exotic pets' wellness exams.
Which Pets Are Considered Exotic?
The term exotic pet refers to animals not considered typical pets like dogs and cats. The term exotic is quite broad, and it can refer to reptiles such as turtles, snakes, lizards, and mammals like rodents, sugar gliders, rabbits, and guinea pigs.
Farm animals, such as birds (like cockatoos, parakeets, and canaries), fish, and pocket pets are exotic pets. Experienced veterinarians help provide quality medical, preventive, and emergency care for exotic pets.
When Should You Take Your Pet to the Vet?
Ideally, the best time to take your exotic pet to the vet is soon after you get it. Schedule the first exam immediately so that you can embark on preventive care. Wellness exams are a vital part of preventive care, letting you find out the health condition of your new pet.
An exotic pet veterinarian can offer valuable information on the proper diet for the pet, ideal living environment, and overall care.
Why Do Exotic Pets Need Wellness Exams?
Exotic pets can benefit from wellness exams just like other pets. The exams are the best way to diagnose early signs of many diseases. This means you offer your pet the best chance of getting early treatment before any condition gets worse.
During the wellness exam, the vet determines if the pet is in the ideal weight bracket for its size. You can find out about a healthy lifestyle for your pet.
What Does the Wellness Exam Entail?
The wellness exam is different for each pet, depending on its species. The pets receive a complete physical examination as the vet looks for any signs of health issues. The vet will conduct a thorough inspection of the mouth, nose, skin, wings, beak, nails, and other features. The vet will also ask questions about nutrition, behavior and answer any questions that you may have.
How Often Should You Schedule a Wellness Exam?
To find out how often you should take your exotic pet to the vet, you need to consider different factors. Think about the age, health condition, and species when scheduling exotic pet wellness exams.
The vet will recommend the best schedule for your pet. On average, young pets require more frequent exams than adult pets. For most pets, annual exams are ideal, but senior or geriatric pets may require exams every six months.
During the wellness exam, you can ask your vet about the signs of illness to look out for. If your pet has a disease, your vet may recommend more frequent exams.
For more on exotic pets’ wellness exams, visit Mokena Animal Clinic at our office in Mokena, Illinois. You can call 708-479-2811 today to schedule an appointment.
