“Exotic” implies the “weird and wonderful”, however this title can be used in veterinary circles to cover just about any species that is not a dog or cat! Rabbits are now the third most common pet in the UK, so it is probably inappropriate to term them “exotic”, and the same might be said about Guinea Pigs and Hamsters. However, the critical fact is that whilst many of these pets are relatively common, they do have unique and specific care requirements. Failure to provide these requirements causes suffering and death. We will build up our library of advice and factsheets on these pets, but in the meantime, please make an appointment to discuss the needs of any pet, before you acquire one.
Species that we more commonly attend to include:
Are all vets trained to treat exotic pets?
At New Era, there are two vets and a number of nurses who are very knowledgeable in this area. Hugh Forshaw and Ian Cox have a breadth of knowledge and experience that is exceptional. All of the vets are very comfortable with treating the more common “children’s” pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters and gerbils and if faced with a species or a problem that they are not familiar with, will refer the case to Ian or Hugh.
Does the hospital have appropriate facilities for these pets?
We have a dedicated ward, containing a variety of specialist cages, that cater specifically for the variety of needs of these pets, and keeps them well away from the cats and dogs in the practice.
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