Many people who own an exotic pet do not realize that their small furry or scaly friend can benefit enormously from regular exams. Exotic pet exams provide many of the same benefits that regular veterinary exams provide for dogs and cats. Here at Utah Veterinary Hospital, we see a list of exotic pets, including mammals, reptiles, and amphibians:

• Rabbits
• Ferrets
• Guinea Pigs
• Hamsters
• Rats
• Mice
• Reptiles (most)
• Amphibians (some)

Routine Vet Exams for Rabbits, Ferrets, Guinea Pigs, and More

Rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, and other small animals make great pets. Rabbits and ferrets can be litter box trained, as can some guinea pigs. All of these pets can be very interactive and just as much of a friend as a dog or cat.

However, our little furry friends don’t live very long compared to us, or even dogs and cats. Routine vet exams for ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, and smaller mammals are important because each month makes up a lot longer portion of their life than it would a dog, cat, or human. If a rabbit lives seven years on average, and a person lives seventy-five to eighty years on average, than a yearly exam for a rabbit is like a human going to the doctor once every eleven years!

Routine veterinary care for our exotic pets can help them live a longer, healthier life by catching problems before they start. There are other reasons to make regular vet exams for your exotic pet a priority, such as providing a baseline of what is normal for your pet in case they do get sick. Ferrets also require a mandatory rabies vaccine in the state of Utah, which our veterinarian can provide.

Small mammals are different from cats and dogs in many medically-important ways. They require different drugs, different dosages, and display different signs of illness. Proper treatment depends on the veterinarian having the training and experience to treat these furry critters like our vets do.

Routine Vet Exams for Reptiles and Amphibians

Reptiles and amphibians present a veterinary challenge for many practitioners because they are so different from the mammals that people usually keep as pets. However, this does not mean that they should not see a vet. It just means that routine exams for reptiles and amphibians must be done by veterinarians who have the proper knowledge to work with them.

Most animals display as few signs of disease or injury as possible since their lives used to depend on it. Predators would go after the weakest prey and others of their own species might roust them from their territory or even kill them if they looked weak. Reptiles and amphibians tend to display even fewer signs of illness than exotic mammals, which mean that many are very sick by the time they get to the vet. Routine exams help prevent this needless suffering.

Call Utah Veterinary Hospital for Your Exotic Pet Needs

We are located in American Fork, UT, and we care about all of your pets. Here at Utah Veterinary Hospital, we will help you keep your pets healthy and happy, even if that pet is not a cat or dog. If you are not sure whether we can care for your pet, or if you want to schedule an exam for your exotic pet, contact us at 801-692-1563!