Exotic Pets
Exotic pets require just as much preventive and routine care as dogs or cats. Many health problems in exotic pets are not the result of injuries or contagious diseases, but arise as a result of improper husbandry, diet and environment. Routine examinations are critical in detecting and treating sickness and disease as early as possible.
With a special interest in exotic and small animal care, our staff veterinarians provide primary veterinary care including wellness exams and full diagnostic and surgical services for the following exotic pets:
- Birds (parrots, songbirds and pet poultry)
- Chinchillas
- Guinea Pigs
- Ferrets
- Hamsters
- Lizards
- Rabbits
- Rats and Mice
- Snakes
- Tortoises & Turtles
Birds
- Is the size of my bird's enclosure adequate?
- Am I providing my bird with the appropriate light cycle?
- Is there a particular formulated diet that is best for the kind of bird I have? This is especially important to ask because many of the major health problems in pet birds are associated with nutritional deficiencies.
Avian Services
At Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center & Urgent Care we offer the following services for birds:
Signs Your Bird Might Be Sick
Birds mask illness in an instinctive attempt to avoid predators. However, with many sicknesses subtle signs are usually displayed. The key to early detection of illness – and successful treatment – is to learn to recognize the signs and symptoms.
Call your veterinarian immediately if you notice any of the following signs in your bird:
Feeding Your Bird
One of the most important things you can do to help ensure your bird lives a healthy and happy life is to feed it a nutritionally sound diet. For example, most parrots should be on pelleted diets with a small amount of seeds or nuts and a wide variety of table foods and produce. Other individual avian species have their own specific dietary requirements that should be discussed with your veterinarian. High fat and high starch foods should always be avoided.
No matter which bird comes into your home, ask your veterinarian questions regarding your bird's specific nutritional needs. Feeding a balanced, varied diet and ensuring your bird's food and water sources remain as clean as possible will help your pet bird live a long and healthy life.
Do not feed your bird the following foods--even small quantities of these can result in illness:
Useful Links
- Annual physical examinations
- Nutritional counseling
- Husbandry counseling
- Behavioral counseling
- Fecal exams for parasites
- Gram stains and cultures for bacterial and fungal analysis
- Blood profiles
- Radiographs
- Surgery
- Emergency and urgent care
- DNA sexing
- Grooming of nails, wings and beak
- Boarding
- Closed or swollen eyes
- Nasal discharge
- Diarrhea
- Sitting in one place for extended periods of time with feathers puffed out
- Noisy or labored breathing, with wheezing or clicking sounds, tail bob associated with breathing
- Scaling or crusting of the face/feet
- Weakness, limping, wing droop
- Lethargy
- Regurgitation
- Sitting at bottom of cage
- Alcohol or caffeine
- Apple Seeds
- Avocado (guacamole)
- Chocolate
- Garlic
- Onions
- Table salt
Association of Avian Veterinarians
www.aav.org
Bird Channel.com
www.birdchannel.com Bird Life.com
www.birdlife.com National Audubon Society
www.audubon.org
www.aav.org
www.birdchannel.com Bird Life.com
www.birdlife.com National Audubon Society
www.audubon.org
Ferrets
At Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center & Urgent Care we offer the following services for ferrets:
- Annual physical examinations
- Complete medical work-ups
- Blood evaluation
- Vaccinations (Canine Distemper and Rabies)
- Fecal exams for parasites
- Nutritional counseling
- Evaluations for Adrenal Disease
- Ultrasound
- Surgery
- Emergency & Urgent care
- Boarding
Signs your Ferret Might be Sick
There are a number of diseases that can plague a pet ferret and can begin as early as age two years. This includes heart disease, adrenal disease, insulinoma, intestinal disease and various types of cancer. Ferrets are also notorious for ingesting inappropriate things like plastic and rubber, which can cause an intestinal blockage. It is important ferrets receive regular physical exams and for you to be observant of any physical or behavioral changes. If you notice any of the following symptoms, consult your veterinarian immediately.
Feeding your Ferret
Ferrets are natural carnivores, evolved to eat meat, and in the wild their diet would consist mainly of small rodents like rats or mice. They use fat, rather than carbohydrates, as their energy source and as a result, plants, fruits and vegetables are not a significant part of a natural ferret diet. In fact, ferrets should never be fed carbohydrates or fiber. Ferrets need a highly digestible meat-based protein and should be fed a balanced raw carnivore diet specifically designed for ferrets -- not cat or kitten food. Both raw diets and whole prey diets are commercially available for ferrets. There is some controversy, however, over the safety versus benefit of raw and whole prey diets. Consult with your veterinarian about which diet is right for your pet. Feeding your ferret the proper diet is critical in helping them live a long and healthy life.
Useful Links
There are a number of diseases that can plague a pet ferret and can begin as early as age two years. This includes heart disease, adrenal disease, insulinoma, intestinal disease and various types of cancer. Ferrets are also notorious for ingesting inappropriate things like plastic and rubber, which can cause an intestinal blockage. It is important ferrets receive regular physical exams and for you to be observant of any physical or behavioral changes. If you notice any of the following symptoms, consult your veterinarian immediately.
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy, decreased play activity
- Diarrhea
- Straining to urinate or defecate
- Vomiting
- Excessive urination
- Excessive drinking
- Dazed look or staring
- Drooling
- Pawing at mouth
- Tooth grinding
- Loss of fur
- Excessive itching or scratching
- Weight loss
- Development of lumps or skin changes
The American Ferret Association
www.ferret.org Ferrets Anonymous
www.ferretsanonymous.com Articles and Information
Small Mammal Health: Ferret World
www.ferret.org Ferrets Anonymous
www.ferretsanonymous.com Articles and Information
Small Mammal Health: Ferret WorldRabbits
- Annual physical examinations
- Spay and neuter surgeries
- Fecal exams for parasites
- Nutritional counseling
- Complete medical work-ups
- Blood evaluation
- Surgery
- Radiographs
- Anesthesia, including IV fluids and use of an endotracheal tube
- Dental care
- Emergency & Urgent care
- Boarding
Signs your Rabbit Might be Sick
When trying to determine if your rabbit is sick, it is important to remember that rabbits by nature hide their illnesses for fear of being harmed by predators. This may be a good survival tactic in the wild, but for domestic rabbits, hiding their symptoms only misleads their owners and prevents prompt medical attention. If you notice any of the following signs or symptoms, call your veterinarian immediately.
Spaying and Neutering Your Rabbit
At Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center & Urgent Care we routinely perform spay and neuter surgeries on rabbits. There are many advantages to spaying and neutering your pet rabbit including helping prevent the problem of pet rabbit over population -- far too many bunnies end up at shelters and are in need of good homes. Other benefits to spaying and neutering your pet rabbit include:
Feeding Your Rabbit
Our veterinarians will work with you to determine the proper nutrition for your rabbit. In general a rabbit's diet should normally consist of the following:
Foods to Avoid
You should not feed your rabbit lettuce, cabbage, parsnips, potato tops, tomato leaves or chocolate. Table scraps and human foods (other than those listed above) should also not be fed to your rabbit. If in doubt, call us to see which foods are appropriate for your rabbit.
- Lethargy or other changes in behavior
- Runny eyes or nose and sneezing
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Drooling or dropping food from mouth
- Head tilting or walking in circles
- Scratching/itching/shaking head/fur
- Lumps or abscesses
- Irregular droppings, diarrhea, straining to
urinate or defecate, lack of feces - Change in urine
- Constant teeth grinding
- Reduced Aggression
- Reduced Urine Marking
- Eliminating the Risk of Uterine and Testicular Cancer
- Unlimited Timothy or grass hay, not alfalfa, which accounts for the majority of their natural diet
- A nice selection of vegetables (ideally 3 different veggies per day). Recommended vegetables include:
Broccoli
Beet Tops
Beet Tops
Carrots
Parsley
Parsley
Mustard Greens
Collard Greens
Collard Greens
Sprouts
Endive
Endive
- A limited amount of high quality Timothy hay pellets
- A small amount of fruit intermittently
- Unlimited water
Useful Links
Reptiles
- Physical examinations
- Fecal exams for parasites
- Full diagnostic work-ups, including blood panels and radiographs
- Surgery
- Husbandry counseling
- Nutritional counseling
- Emergency & urgent care
- Boarding
Signs Your Pet Reptile May Be Sick
One of the most important things to do for your pet reptile is to research its natural behavior as well as its needs while in captivity. Unless you are aware of what constitutes natural behavior for your reptile, you may miss the early signs of disease and not realize it until it is too far advanced. Use the following list as a general guideline for signs to monitor so you can take your reptile to the veterinarian if needed.
Increased or decreased appetite, and vomiting or regurgitation.
Useful Links
- Changes in eating or drinking
- Shedding problems
- Changes in stool or urine production
- Lumps or bumps
- Changes in general appearance
- Change in activity levels
- Behavioral changes
- Unusual breathing
- Limping or lameness
The Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians
www.arav.org Melissa Kaplan's Herp Care Collection
www.anapsid.org Healthy Pet
www.healthypet.com Articles and Information
Reptile Brumation
www.arav.org Melissa Kaplan's Herp Care Collection
www.anapsid.org Healthy Pet
www.healthypet.com Articles and Information
Reptile Brumation Pocket Pets & Small Mammals
Signs your Pet Might be Sick
Poor hygiene and nutrition are the main causes of illness in small mammals. If you notice any of the following signs or symptoms, please call your veterinarian immediately:
Useful Links
- Small lumps or bumps, which may be tumors or abscesses
- Discharge from mouth, eyes or nose
- Difficulty breathing
- Decreased appetite
- Diarrhea or "Wet Tail"
- Skin infections
- Unusual hibernation or self-isolation
- Difficulty eating, drooling or dropping food
- Bloody urine or blood on the fur
- Fur loss or itchy skin
- Weight loss
Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians (AEMV)
www.aemv.org Healthy Pet
www.healthypet.com Articles and Information
A Domestic Rat Can Be an Ideal Pet
Caring For Your Guinea Pig
Caring For Your Chinchilla
www.aemv.org Healthy Pet
www.healthypet.com Articles and Information
A Domestic Rat Can Be an Ideal Pet Caring For Your Guinea Pig Caring For Your Chinchilla Our Veterinarians
Dr. Shann Ikezawa, DVM
Dr. Ikezawa is a 1997 graduate of the Veterinary School at the University of California, Davis, where she focused on both small animal and exotic animal medicine. She completed an internship in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery in 1998, and practiced for 2 years with an avian specialist. She was on staff at Crow Canyon Veterinary Clinic prior to its merger to become Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center. Her special interests are soft tissue surgery, internal medicine, and avian/exotic medicine (including rabbits, rodents, and reptiles). She also works closely with pug rescue and has a special interest in pugs and their unique medicine and needs.
Leanne Taylor, DVM
Dr. Taylor is a graduate from the Veterinary School at the University of California, Davis. She completed her internship at NYC Veterinary Specialists in Manhattan, and at their sister clinic in Florida, where she furthered her special interest in exotic pets (reptiles, small mammals and amphibians). Dr. Taylor's special interests center around surgery -- orthopedics and soft tissue -- as well as cardiovascular, respiratory medicine and exotic pets. Outside of veterinary medicine, she spends her time skiing, road cycling, and spending time with her fiancé and their three legged dog, Nuchal, cat Saulter, and 65 year old desert tortoise, Mert.
Michele Dodd, DVM
Dr. Dodd is a 2003 graduate of the Veterinary School at the University of California, Davis. She joined Bishop Ranch in July 2003. Her special interests are Internal Medicine, Preventive Care and Emergency/Critical Care. Dr. Dodd is also treats exotic pets including reptiles and small mammals such as rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and rats. She lives in Livermore with her partner, their 3 cats, Motor, Damien and Monroe, and their dog Keira.
Lives Saved
Topper and Brumby Kennedy
Breed: Guinea Pigs
Diagnosis: Bladder stones Brumby and Topper, two guinea pigs, didn’t realize how lucky they were when they were rescued by Deb Kennedy. Many people don’t understand their charm, but guinea pigs have distinct personalities and behaviors that make them wonderful, entertaining pets. Deb is a dedicated owner and provided them with a large enclosure, lots to eat, and everything they could possibly need. One day, however, Topper started squealing randomly as if he was in pain. Examination and ultrasound revealed a stone in his urinary bladder, which was causing difficulty urinating and discomfort. Topper was taken to surgery that day and the stone was removed. Overnight hospitalization and good nursing care at home led to a full recovery. Maybe he resented the special attention that Topper received during his convalescence, because not to be outdone, almost exactly a year later, Brumby developed bloody urine and squealing. His exam and ultrasound revealed the same problem, a stone in his bladder. Just like his brother, he went to surgery, had the stone removed, and made a full recovery. Guinea pigs have unique anatomy and require some special husbandry and medical care, but their health problems can be the same as dogs and cats. While specialized treatment and techniques can be required for their veterinary care, they can make full recoveries through major illness and surgery, as shown TWICE, by Deb Kennedy, Brumby, and Topper.
Breed: Guinea Pigs
Diagnosis: Bladder stones Brumby and Topper, two guinea pigs, didn’t realize how lucky they were when they were rescued by Deb Kennedy. Many people don’t understand their charm, but guinea pigs have distinct personalities and behaviors that make them wonderful, entertaining pets. Deb is a dedicated owner and provided them with a large enclosure, lots to eat, and everything they could possibly need. One day, however, Topper started squealing randomly as if he was in pain. Examination and ultrasound revealed a stone in his urinary bladder, which was causing difficulty urinating and discomfort. Topper was taken to surgery that day and the stone was removed. Overnight hospitalization and good nursing care at home led to a full recovery. Maybe he resented the special attention that Topper received during his convalescence, because not to be outdone, almost exactly a year later, Brumby developed bloody urine and squealing. His exam and ultrasound revealed the same problem, a stone in his bladder. Just like his brother, he went to surgery, had the stone removed, and made a full recovery. Guinea pigs have unique anatomy and require some special husbandry and medical care, but their health problems can be the same as dogs and cats. While specialized treatment and techniques can be required for their veterinary care, they can make full recoveries through major illness and surgery, as shown TWICE, by Deb Kennedy, Brumby, and Topper.
Lightening Hendricks
Breed: Desert Tortoise
Diagnosis: Trauma to legs and abdomen Having a pet in the family for over 50 years seems nearly impossible, but the Hendricks estimate that Lightening, their not-so-speedy California Desert Tortoise, is probably over 60 years old. She has lived in their yard for, literally, decades. Last September, however, they found her not moving, with large gaping wounds in front of both of her rear legs. The wounds were deep, all the way through the skin, perhaps entering the belly, and filled with debris and maggots. Lightening was understandably painful and ill, not moving much and losing interest in eating. She was sedated and her wounds were cleaned aggressively. She was hospitalized for two weeks with daily wound care, antibiotics, and force feedings, when finally the wounds looked clean enough to try to surgically close them. Under anesthesia, the wounds were surgically closed and a feeding tube placed so that the Hendricks could continue to medicate and feed her at home. Lightening seemed to be recovering at home when it started to get cold outside and her instinct to brumate (reptile version of hibernate) took over. At the end of October, her wounds were still not healed, but the feeding tube needed to be removed and she needed to be allowed to brumate. The Hendricks kept their fingers crossed that their aggressive care before her brumation would allow her to wake up in the spring still healthy and healing. In March of this year, Lightening “woke up” and started to eat on her own. A recheck revealed that the sutures could finally be removed. There were still small defects in the incision but they appeared to be healing without complication. The Hendricks still needed to clean the wounds and apply topical medication but it appeared Lightening would make a full recovery. As of June 2010, a final recheck has shown that Lightening has healed completely. The Hendricks are finally able to take a break from tending to her wounds, and are both happy and unhappy to report that she is healthy enough to be breaking into their garden and stealing green beans off their plants. While dogs may take weeks to heal, reptiles can take months or longer, but can recover from severe injuries given the proper care and time.
Breed: Desert Tortoise
Diagnosis: Trauma to legs and abdomen Having a pet in the family for over 50 years seems nearly impossible, but the Hendricks estimate that Lightening, their not-so-speedy California Desert Tortoise, is probably over 60 years old. She has lived in their yard for, literally, decades. Last September, however, they found her not moving, with large gaping wounds in front of both of her rear legs. The wounds were deep, all the way through the skin, perhaps entering the belly, and filled with debris and maggots. Lightening was understandably painful and ill, not moving much and losing interest in eating. She was sedated and her wounds were cleaned aggressively. She was hospitalized for two weeks with daily wound care, antibiotics, and force feedings, when finally the wounds looked clean enough to try to surgically close them. Under anesthesia, the wounds were surgically closed and a feeding tube placed so that the Hendricks could continue to medicate and feed her at home. Lightening seemed to be recovering at home when it started to get cold outside and her instinct to brumate (reptile version of hibernate) took over. At the end of October, her wounds were still not healed, but the feeding tube needed to be removed and she needed to be allowed to brumate. The Hendricks kept their fingers crossed that their aggressive care before her brumation would allow her to wake up in the spring still healthy and healing. In March of this year, Lightening “woke up” and started to eat on her own. A recheck revealed that the sutures could finally be removed. There were still small defects in the incision but they appeared to be healing without complication. The Hendricks still needed to clean the wounds and apply topical medication but it appeared Lightening would make a full recovery. As of June 2010, a final recheck has shown that Lightening has healed completely. The Hendricks are finally able to take a break from tending to her wounds, and are both happy and unhappy to report that she is healthy enough to be breaking into their garden and stealing green beans off their plants. While dogs may take weeks to heal, reptiles can take months or longer, but can recover from severe injuries given the proper care and time.
Benjamen Cook
Breed: Netherland Dwarf Bunny
Diagnosis: Stasis Rabbits have exquisitely sensitive intestinal tracts, and even a slight decrease in appetite or fecal production can be a sign of significant illness. Kathleen Cook monitors her beloved Netherland Dwarf Bunny, Benjamen, very carefully, as he has had numerous bouts of stasis, a condition in which the intestines fail to move properly, and is life-threatening in rabbits. Stasis can be caused by a variety of factors, most commonly inappropriate diet, but hairballs, dehydration and internal disease can also be factors. In some cases, like Benji, there is no definitive reason. Kathleen has learned to quickly recognize when he is off of his food, or when his feces become scant. He generally responds well to treatment, but usually requires hospitalization with force feedings, medication, and IV fluids. At the end of each episode, he is back to his normal self, resisting his force feedings and thumping at us in his cage, but his recovery is dependent on his astute owner and her quick action. While dogs and cats may miss a meal without causing much concern, a rabbit that is not eating is considered an emergency and should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.
To read more stories about survival stories and lives saved, Click Here
Breed: Netherland Dwarf Bunny
Diagnosis: Stasis Rabbits have exquisitely sensitive intestinal tracts, and even a slight decrease in appetite or fecal production can be a sign of significant illness. Kathleen Cook monitors her beloved Netherland Dwarf Bunny, Benjamen, very carefully, as he has had numerous bouts of stasis, a condition in which the intestines fail to move properly, and is life-threatening in rabbits. Stasis can be caused by a variety of factors, most commonly inappropriate diet, but hairballs, dehydration and internal disease can also be factors. In some cases, like Benji, there is no definitive reason. Kathleen has learned to quickly recognize when he is off of his food, or when his feces become scant. He generally responds well to treatment, but usually requires hospitalization with force feedings, medication, and IV fluids. At the end of each episode, he is back to his normal self, resisting his force feedings and thumping at us in his cage, but his recovery is dependent on his astute owner and her quick action. While dogs and cats may miss a meal without causing much concern, a rabbit that is not eating is considered an emergency and should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.
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Copyright © 2006-2012 Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center.
All rights reserved. Updated: 2012-Sep-16
All rights reserved. Updated: 2012-Sep-16
Bishop Ranch Veterinary Center & Urgent Care is a quality
veterinary clinic and pet hospital located in San Ramon,
California. With 15 experienced veterinarians on staff with over
25 years experience, Bishop Ranch Vet has been serving the
Tri-Valley and greater Bay Area since 2000. We care for and serve
pets from the San Ramon Valley and the surrounding areas;
Danville, including Blackhawk, Alamo, Diablo, Livermore,
Pleasanton, Dublin, Walnut Creek, Castro Valley, Concord,
Lafayette, Pleasant Hill, Oakland, and San Francisco. Offering
comprehensive professional pet care services including urgent
care, primary and preventive care, internal medicine, exotic pet
care - including rabbits, reptiles, guinea pigs, hamsters,
chinchillas and ferrets, pet boarding, medical boarding,
microchipping, routine and advanced surgical procedures including
spays and neuters, orthopedic surgeries, knee and cruciate
surgeries, gastropexy, as well as minimally invasive surgery and
diagnostics including laparoscopy, endoscopy, ultrasound and
digital x-ray. The experienced and compassionate vets at Bishop
Ranch Veterinary Center & Urgent Care work with you to provide
the highest quality general and emergency veterinary care for
your pet.