At Tree of Life Exotic Pet Medical Center, we believe that prevention is the best medicine. Annual (or more frequent) wellness exams allow us to evaluate your pet’s overall health, identify concerns before they become serious, and keep them on track for a long, healthy life.
One of the most valuable parts of your visit is learning how to meet your exotic pet’s unique needs. We will guide you in choosing the most appropriate diet, housing, temperature, lighting, and other environmental factors to support optimal health.
Because many exotic species age more quickly than cats or dogs, health problems can develop and progress rapidly.
Small exotic mammals(rats, hamsters, etc.): exams every 3–6 months are recommended to catch problems early.
Most other exotic pets: wellness exams every 6–12 months.
Birds and other easily stressed species: occasional “social visits” are encouraged, where your pet can meet our staff, enjoy treats, and become comfortable in the clinic environment. These low-stress visits support our Fear Free approach to veterinary medicine.
Starting your new pet’s life with you on the right foot is essential. We recommend bringing any newly acquired pet for an initial health check as soon as possible. If this is your first time caring for the species, we welcome all family members and caretakers to join the visit so everyone can learn proper care.
We partner with several local pet and bird stores to offer a 10% discount on a post-purchase exam within 30 days of purchase with your store receipt. If your store isn’t participating yet, encourage them to contact us about joining the program.
Regular bloodwork and other screening tests—such as urinalysis and fecal analysis—are an important part of preventive care for exotic pets.
Establishing a healthy baseline is especially important for species without widely published “normal” lab values.
Tracking lab results over time allows us to detect subtle changes that may indicate disease long before clinical signs appear.
Catching health issues early significantly increases the likelihood of successful treatment—particularly for exotic pets, who often hide signs of illness until very advanced stages.
Birds: Parrots boarding at our hospital must be tested for three significant avian diseases:
Psittacosis (Chlamydia psittaci)– A bacterial infection that can be life-threatening to people and birds.
Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease Virus– A fatal viral disease causing feather abnormalities and immune suppression.
Polyomavirus– A virus that can cause severe systemic illness, especially in young birds.
Depending on the bird’s species and history, we may also recommend additional disease screening before introducing a new bird into your home.
Reptiles: For example, bearded dragons may be screened for Atadenovirus, a virus associated with immune suppression and liver disease. We may also recommend Cryptosporidium testing for Leopard geckos and a variety of snakes. Other species of snakes we might discuss screening for Reptarenavirus, which causes Boid Inclusion Body Disease (BIBD), a potentially fatal illness. Other tests may be recommended based on species and symptoms.
Mammals: Rabbits may be tested for Encephalitozoon cuniculi (E. cuniculi), a fungal infection that can cause eye disease or neurological problems. Additional testing is available depending on species and clinical findings.
Internal parasites can damage the digestive tract, reduce nutrient absorption, and affect other organs. Many pets are born with them, and they remain at risk throughout life. Internal parasites are often detected through fecal analysis, as they may not be visible during a physical exam.
External parasites—such as mites or lice—are also common and can seriously impact quality of life or even become life-threatening. These are typically diagnosed with a combination of physical and microscopic examination.
Because many parasites are zoonotic(transmissible to people), we recommend fecal analysis for all new pets and targeted screening for external parasites based on exam findings. If parasites are found, our veterinarians will prescribe safe and effective treatment and advise you on ongoing prevention.
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