Small Pets & Exotics

All exotic pets benefit from veterinary care, proper diet, gentle handling, and correct management of their environment. Because they often live in cages or enclosed environments, even more attention must be paid to your exotic pet's special living needs than to that of the cats and dogs who share your home. For example, each species of unusual mammal has its own specific need for housing, diet, and care. Even different types of birds require different types of housing and diet. Additionally, each kind of reptile may need specific food, bedding, humidity, and lighting. No matter the differences among them, all exotics need access to medical and surgical veterinary care. For example, ferrets need vaccinations and non-breeding females must be spayed. Rabbits may require periodic teeth trimming, and your guinea pig may need a special diet. Birds are often in need of nail trims, beak trims, and behavioral therapy. Reptiles may require special diets, supplements, and veterinary examinations to maintain their health.

Our doctors have exceptional experience in treating exotics and enjoy providing preventive care for pets and educational services for owners. We strongly believe that veterinary health care helps prevent problems in exotics. We will always make sure that the best routine and preventive care is available to your pet. Because there is much to learn about each species of pet, our veterinarians are able to offer advice concerning nutrition, husbandry, and health care. In addition, they perform procedures such as spaying, neutering and dental care. Finally, behavioral advice is offered to help with non-medical problems such as loneliness, separation anxiety, and person-pet interactions.

If your exotic pet suffers from health problems, our doctors are here to help. Services are available for the diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. These services include thorough physical examinations, along with diagnostics procedures such as radiographs, blood tests, skin scrapings, and biopsies. Surgery is available to correct problems such as dental disease, internal problems, injuries, and tumors. Additionally, medications and supplements tailored to the needs of exotic pets are available. Moreover, nutritional counseling is given for those pets suffering from nutritional problems, such as metabolic bone disease. Behavioral counseling is offered for pets with medical problems caused by anxiety such as some anxiety-caused cases of feather-picking in birds.

We treat the following small mammals at North Hampton Animal Hospital:

  • Ferrets
  • Rabbits
  • Small mammals including chinchillas, guinea pigs, rats, mice, gerbils, hamsters, and chinchillas. Ferrets are unique among the exotics, as they require special veterinary care when they are young and need immunizations.

    Ferrets' special needs include:

    1. First physical examination at approximately 8-10 weeks of age to make sure that the little one is growing properly and that no congenital problems exist. This hands-on physical is quite extensive and similar to the physical examination performed on young puppies and kittens.
    2. First vaccination at 8-10 weeks of age, then a booster vaccination 3-4 weeks later. For most ferrets, the vaccinations will be a combination injection of several protective vaccines.
    3. First rabies vaccination at 12 weeks of age or older. All ferrets require an annual vaccination to protect against rabies.
    4. Firsts for Ferrets — In addition to vaccines, ferrets also need testing for intestinal parasites and to receive regular treatment as recommended.
    5. Extra Care — While ferrets need vaccinations as much as dogs and cats, they unfortunately have an increased risk of allergic reactions to vaccines. To help assure the health of your pet, pre-vaccination medication may be given and you will be asked to wait for 20-30 minutes after vaccination appointments so that we may monitor your ferret's health.