Avian and Exotics Services

Care-Pets Animal Hospital is a small animal hospital with a bird and exotic animal department staffed by a team of personnel trained to care for your non-traditional pets. We can provide up-to-date medical and surgical care while keeping in mind the unique needs of your exotic pet. Our patients are in a separate ward to minimize stress and in cages designed to suit your pet’s needs. Experienced technicians and staff play a key role in providing care for our patients and providing husbandry consults to optimize your pet’s health at home.

Our patients encompass a wide variety of species, including birds (parrots, passerines, chickens, waterfowl, other poultry, toucans/toucanet/aracari, and birds of prey), reptiles (lizards, turtles, tortoises, and snakes), amphibians (frogs, toads, newts, and salamanders), and various small mammals (including but not limited to chinchillas, guinea pigs, hedgehogs, prairie dogs, pigs, hamsters, gerbils, rats, mice, degus, and sugar gliders and other possums). Additionally, we see zoological companion animals, including small carnivores (such as fennec foxes, servals, caracals, and ocelots), procyonids (coatimundis, ring-tailed cats, kinkajous), marsupials (wallabies, kangaroos, and opossums), fish (case by case), and invertebrates (tarantulas, scorpions, and other invertebrates case-by-case). We do not see venomous snakes, pigs, or primates.

In addition to providing basic primary care, such as wellness exams, grooming, spaying and neutering, and nutritional and behavioral counseling, our practice offers many services, such as surgery, dentistry, diagnostics, and treatment. The following are some of the many species-specific services available:

Birds

• Infectious disease testing (mycobacteria, Chlamydophila, PDD (Bornavirus), polyoma, PBFD) and treatment
• Medical and surgical treatment of egg binding and other reproductive disorders
• Medical evaluation and behavioral management of feather-destructive behavior
• DNA sex identification
• West Nile vaccination (birds of prey)
• Avian anesthesia and surgery
• Diagnosis and treatment of heavy metal and other toxicities
• Workup and treatment of metabolic diseases

Small Herbivorous Mammals (Rabbits/Guinea Pigs/Chinchillas)

• Management of oral and dental disease
  • Incisor and molar crown reduction, occlusal adjustment
  • Tooth root abscesses
• Treatment for gastrointestinal stasis and obstruction
• Surgical management of cystic ovaries (guinea pigs)
• E. cuniculi testing and treatment (rabbits)
• Management of external and internal parasites
• Management of chronic ear disease, ear abscesses, and inner ear disease
• Management of ophthalmic diseases

Ferrets

• Management of hyperadrenocorticism (adrenal disease)
  • Hormone therapy (Lupron®, Suprelorin®)
  • Emergency intervention
• Management of insulinomas
• Heartworm disease prevention and treatment

Reptiles

• Treatment and counseling for metabolic bone disease and other husbandry-related diseases
• Medical and surgical management of reproductive disorders
• Testing and medical care for infectious diseases
• Diagnosis and treatment for parasitic infestations
• Management of oral, ophthalmic, and skin diseases
• Medical intervention for GI obstructions
• Feeding and diet conversion for anorexic animals

When dropping your exotic or avian pet off for a procedure, it’s essential to arrive at the time Dr. Gilene has designated. Client Services Representatives will admit your pet on the morning of surgery. During check-in, please confirm why your pet is being dropped off for the day and list any specific concerns you would like us to address. Make sure to list all medications your pet is taking and if you leave food and/or medicine for us to administer during their stay. You must leave a phone number and/or email address where you can be reached to discuss your pet’s case. If you have additional questions for Dr. Gilene, please let us know before admission.

We will make every effort to contact you after the procedure. It is important to note that even though your pet will be admitted in the morning, it does not necessarily mean that their procedure will be performed in the morning. The morning admission time allows the doctors and staff to prepare for your pet’s needs. The team at Care-Pets Animal Hospital is here to provide patient care and act as a liaison between you, your pet, and the doctor. Please let them know if you have questions or concerns so they can help.

Someone from our team will contact you to set up a pick-up time when your pet is ready to go home. A member of our support team or doctor will review any discharge instructions with you and address any questions you may have. If a recheck appointment is needed, we recommend scheduling the appointment before leaving. Please do not hesitate to call or email with questions or concerns. Additionally, we welcome your comments and suggestions on improving our care for you and your pet.

Hospital telephone hours are:

Monday – Friday: 8:00 am to 5:30 pm; Saturday: 8:00 am to Noon

Please Note: Due to the high volume of calls that our doctors receive, calls may be returned after hours. For this reason, please leave daytime and evening telephone numbers where you may be reached. The doctors may have their trained technicians handle some calls to get back to you quickly. To avoid confusion, it’s helpful if one family member is the main point of contact.