Pocket Pet Care
Services for nontraditional pets.
What is an Exotic Pet?
An exotic pet is a rare or unusual animal kept within a human household (other than a traditional dog or cat). The Animal's Hospital of Levittown currently provides care to small mammals that include, but not limited to:
- Rabbits
- Ferrets
- Guinea pigs
- Rats
- Chinchillas
- Mice
- Hamsters
New Exotic Pet
So you got a new exotic pet! After carefully doing research and selecting the right one, now what?
When you bring your new furry, feathered, or scaled family member home, we recommend separating them from all other pets in the house for at least a month. This is not only for your new pet to get acclimated to their new home, but also for the safety of your other pets.
It is also important to have an initial health evaluation by an exotic pet veterinarian prior to introduction to your other pets. During this veterinary visit, we will discuss how to care for your new exotic pet and answer any questions.
Many pet stores offer a warranty on newly purchased animals. Remember to ask them prior to leaving the store so that you can schedule your veterinary visit within this time frame. These measures are important to make sure you have a healthy pet free of diseases or infection that may be introduced into your household.
Bringing Your Exotic Pet to the Animals' Hospital of Levittown
Our hospital strives to provide a safe and caring environment for your pet. It is important that you arrive with your pet in an appropriate travel carrier to help keep them safe from other animals that may be in the lobby, to help reduce stress and keep your small pet warm. We also recommend you bring in a sample of your pet’s diet to help evaluate their nutrition. After you arrive and check-in, you and your pet will be brought into an exam room where we will discuss your animal’s lifestyle, diet, and medical concerns.
In order to be prepared for your appointment, we recommend bringing a completed history form.
Exotic Pet Wellness Exams and Preventative Care
Regular wellness visits are an integral part of maintaining the health of your exotic pet. During your exotic pets’ visit we will do a full physical exam, do a thorough evaluation of your husbandry practices and recommend improvements when necessary.
We offer a wide array of wellness services for exotic patients including:
- Husbandry Review and Recommendations
- Vaccinations (if appropriate)
- Parasite Screening / Fecal Exam
- Oral / Dental Exam
- Weight Checks
- Blood Screening
- Sex Determination
- Spay/Neuter Procedures
- Behavioral Counseling
- Nail Trims
How to Tell if Your Exotic Pet is Sick
Many exotic pets are skilled at hiding problems. It is important to try to catch any signs of possible illness early.
Signs to watch for include (but are not limited to):
- Decreased Activity
- Decreased Appetite
- Weight Loss
- Changes in Stool or Urine (amount and/or appearance)
- Ocular or Nasal Discharge
- Any Sign of Blood on the Animal or in its Enclosure
- Muscle Twitching, weakness
- Fluffed Up Appearance, Sitting on the Cage Floor, or Tail-Bobbing in Birds
- Wing Droop
- Changes in Respiratory Rate or Effort
- Witnessed or Suspected Injuries
Call us as soon as possible at 215-949-1010, if your pet is displaying any concerning signs or with any questions you may have!
What to Feed Your Pet
Feeding your pet will take some thought and preparation, but once a routine is established it should be easy to accomplish. Good nutrition is the basis for a strong body. Feeding your pet in a healthy manner will help to prevent many potential disease problems down the road.
Visit your veterinarian with your pet regularly, not only for health checkups, but to stay informed of current information in the ever-evolving field of small mammal husbandry and care.
