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What is an “exotic pet?” Usually this term refers to any companion pet that
is not a dog or a cat. Some of these alternative pets, such as rabbits and
parakeets are quite common but veterinary care of these species, and others,
frequently requires special knowledge, training and equipment.
Family Pet Hospital recognizes that exotic pets have become popular because
many people enjoy the unique qualities these animals possess. Our knowledge and
experience with exotic species combines clinical expertise with a personal
touch.
At FPH we regularly treat birds, reptiles (such as lizards, snakes, turtles
and tortoises), ferrets, rabbits, small mammals (ex. gerbils, guinea pigs, mice,
rats, hedgehogs and sugar gliders), amphibians and many more species.
Why chose an avian and exotic veterinarian?
Traditional veterinary education does not include extensive training for the
specific needs of exotic pets. For that reason, some veterinarians who have a
special interest in treating these animals must commit to additional continuing
education and learning about the latest advancements in exotic pet care.
Dr. Woolley leads has more than 20 years of experience treating many
different species. Dr. Woolley has taken numerous specialized courses in avian
and exotic diagnostics, medicine, surgery and endoscopy techniques. He firmly
believes in the value of the human-companion animal bond and the exotic patients
of FPH prove that this bond is not limited to dogs and cats. He strengthens this
bond through a strong wellness-care plan for all his patients.
Dr Woolley is one of the few Veterinarians in San Antonio who treats birds
and exotics! Our doctors and staff are trained to provide high quality medical
care for all of our patients. Our goal is to deliver this care in a
compassionate way for all patients - feathered, scaled or otherwise
You and your special pets will receive personal, individualized attention in
a professional environment. By offering veterinary services for our
non-traditional companion animals we share your goal of providing special care
for the pets you love.
Bi-Annual Physical Examination
We strongly believe that a skilled staff together with quality diagnostic
tools represents the key to preventative health care. FPH recommends bi-annual
physical and wellness examinations for your exotic pets to help them live long
and healthy lives. During a physical examination, our doctors will review many
aspects of your pets care, including diet and husbandry, we will also discuss
ways to detect early disease and minimize preventable illness and share any new
advances in exotic pet care that might benefit your special pet.
At FPH, we believe that client education is a vital part of preventative
medicine and this is especially true for exotic pets. Clients recognize and
appreciate our sincere commitment in partnering with pet owners to help provide
their special pets with the optimum of health.
Microchipping
Microchipping is an easy, inexpensive way to identify your pet and maximize
the chances of recovering them should they become lost or stolen. A tiny
microchip no larger than a grain of rice and encoded with a unique ID number is
injected into the breast tissue in birds, it is usually performed without
anesthesia or sedation. When scanned by a special electronic device, the chip
will transmit a code that, like a Social Security number, identifies your pet
and links them to you once registered by you. Visit
Home Again
Microchipping website for more information.
Thousands of shelters and veterinary practices throughout the USA have
microchip-scanners and use them to help identify stray animals and those
reported as lost. Most microchip companies maintain a 24-hour toll-free hotline
seven days a week to reunite lost microchipped pets with their owners.
Surgery
Sometimes surgery is recommended as a way to minimize future health problems
or as a life-saving procedure for an exotic pet. The decision to have anesthesia
and surgery performed on a beloved pet can sometimes be difficult. By explaining
the procedure, the benefits and risks, we can help you decide what is best for
your pet.
The types of surgical services offered at FPH can vary as widely as the
patients themselves. Everything from spaying (ovariectomy), neutering
(castration) to fracture repair to advanced soft-tissue surgeries are all part
of exotic animal care at FPH.
Many exotic animal patients are small and delicate and therefore require
refined surgical techniques. Advanced planning, exactness, speed and a steady
hand are necessary prerequisites for avian and exotic animal surgery. The exotic
animal surgeon must be adept at handling delicate tissues, operating with
miniaturized instruments in constrained spaces and using magnification
equipment. Due to the small blood volume of many of our patients, even minor
hemorrhage can be life-threatening unless adequately controlled. Minimal
anesthesia time is extremely important as longer surgical procedures carry
greater risks of complication.
FPH has diligently incorporated these important factors into the design of
our operating room and surgical protocols. Patients are first thoroughly
evaluated pre-surgically to insure that they are appropriate surgical
candidates. Once a patient has been approved for surgery, anesthesia is begun,
typically consisting of a modern inhalation anesthetic, in combination with
other anesthetic agents. Standard surgical techniques are enhanced with the use
of electro surgery and special magnification and micro instrumentation.
Advanced computerized monitoring of heart rate, tissue perfusion and
oxygenation, electrocardiogram (ECG), respiratory rate and body temperature is
available to the surgeon and the experienced Veterinary Technician who assists.
Proper body temperature is maintained by the use of special thermal blankets and
warm IV/IO fluid administration when indicated.
The doctor will order a pain relieving injection for your pet at the time of
surgery to increase its comfort during recovery. The doctor may also recommend
that a pet continue pain medication for the duration of their recovery at home.
This medication will vary depending on the pet’s size, the type of medication
and the dosage.
Costs and Admittance Procedures
When your pet is admitted, you will be
required to sign a surgical consent
form and leave contact phone numbers. We require all clients to make health and
financial decisions for their own pets. Please do not have friends or anyone
else drop off your pet for surgery. Some pets must fast before any surgical procedure. Please check with the
staff to determine if fasting is required for your pet.
Surgical patients are admitted in the morning between 8:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.
Monday - Friday. Special requirements for exotics and reptiles will be given to
you when you schedule your appointment.
Diagnostic Imaging (X-rays, and Endoscopy)
FPH’s Radiology and Endoscopy equipment allows us to perform detailed,
noninvasive evaluations of our patient’s vital organs and systems.
FPH is equipped with advanced rigid endoscopy capabilities. This minimally
invasive diagnostic and therapeutic tool has a wide variety of applications
including but not limited to the surgical sex determination, exploratory
laparoscopy for organ biopsies, foreign body retrieval as well as advanced
dental procedures.
At
Family Pet Hospital we treat a variety of
exotic pets:
Avian: African
Gray, Macaw, Parrot, Bird, Conure, Parakeet, Budgie,
Cockatiel, Finch, Canary, Cockatoo, Quaker, Amazon,
Eclectus, Lory, Lovebird, Duck, Dove.
Rodent: Rat, Mouse,
Mice, Guinea Pig, Hamster, Gerbil, Degu, Chinchilla,
Rabbit, Ferret, Hedgehog, Sugar Glider,
Pot-Belly Pigs, Prairie Dog, Skunk.
Fish: Koi,
Marine, Fresh Water, Gold Fish.
Reptiles:
Snakes, Boa, Python, Milk Snake, Corn Snake, King
Snake, Lizards, Iguana, Bearded Dragon, Chameleon,
Panther Chameleon, Veiled Chameleon, Jacksons
Chameleon, Blue Tongue Skinks, Water Dragons,
Monitor Lizards, Tegu, anole, gecko, crested gecko,
day gecko, tokay gecko, leopard gecko, Fat-Tailed
gecko, Turtles, Red-Eared Slider, Wood Turtle, Box
Turtles, Tortoises, African Spur Thigh, Sulcata
tortoise, Leopard tortoise, Red-footed tortoise,
Russian tortoise, Greek tortoise, Hermann’s
tortoise, Tortuga.
Amphibians: Frogs,
Fire-belly toads, leopard frogs, Bullfrog, Pac-man
frog, Tomato frog, African Clawed frog, Tree frog,
Dumpy tree frog, Red eye tree frog, White-lipped
tree frog, White’s tree frog, American green tree
frog, Waxy monkey frog, Dart frog, Salamander,
Tiger, Fire-belly newt, Mudpuppy, Waterdog, Axolotls
Other: Hissing
cockroach, Tarantula, Millipede, Emperor Scorpion.
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