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College of Veterinary Medicine
Veterinary Hospital

Specialty Clinics

Avian, Small Mammals, Reptiles, Amphibians, Fish, Invertebrates

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Avian

Grey Parrot Leans Toward Camera
Grey Parrot

We see all pet birds including parrots, songbirds, backyard poultry, and raptors used for falconry.

Avian Tests

Here are some tests that we offer for your bird’s health and now they help us keep your bird well:

Bloodwork: Routine bloodwork usually consists of a complete blood count (CBC) and a biochemistry panel. This gives us a great deal of information about your bird. The CBC allows us to look for signs of infection and inflammation, as well as for anemia. The biochemistry panel allows us to evaluate kidney and liver function, protein levels, and muscle damage.

Radiographs: We often recommend taking x-rays of our bird patients. This allows us to see bones, the respiratory system, the heart, the liver, the gastrointestinal tract, the spleen, the kidneys, and the reproductive tract. We can gather a lot of information about these body systems by examining an x-ray, such as whether or not there are any changes in size and position of organs, and the presence of ingested metal fragments.

Infectious disease testing: Birds can be exposed to diseases in many different ways. Birds from pet stores or fairs, and birds that regularly contact other birds may be more likely to acquire infectious diseases, such as certain bacterial diseases, Chlamydophila (“Psittacosis”), Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease, Herpes virus (“Pachecos” disease), Polyomavirus, and Proventricular Dilatation Disease (“PDD”, or “Macaw Wasting Disease”). We can discuss the various diagnostic options for these diseases if we are concerned that your bird may be infected or exposed.

Heavy metal testing: Often, birds are exposed to heavy metals that the owner is unaware of, such as lead or zinc. We can test for exposure to these metals to help diagnose your bird’s illness.

Cultures: We can get samples from your bird for culture, such as cloacal culture or choanal culture to help diagnose specific types of bacterial infections, and which types of antibiotics should be most effective.

Small Mammals

ferret receives treatment

Small Mammal Tests

Here are some tests that we offer for your bird’s health and now they help us keep your small mammal well:

Dental exam: Dental disease is a common problem in small mammals, and it may contribute to other illnesses. A thorough dental exam can help us make recommendations for your pet’s oral health.

Nutrition counseling: Our small furry patients have lots of special needs, including very particular diets! We can help you find the best diet for your pet that will help them stay healthy and happy.

Fecal analysis: Believe it or not, looking at your pet’s stool gives us a lot of information! We look for the types of bacteria that are in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, as well as for various parasites.

Bloodwork: Routine bloodwork usually consists of a complete blood count (CBC) and a biochemistry panel. These tests give us a great deal of information about our patients. The CBC allows us to look for signs of infection and inflammation, as well as for anemia. The biochemistry panel allows us to evaluate kidney and liver function, protein levels, muscle damage, and pancreas function.

Radiographs: We often recommend taking x-rays of our patients. This allows us to see bones, the respiratory system, the heart, the liver, the GI tract, the spleen, the kidneys, and the reproductive tract. We can gather a lot of information about these body systems by examining an x-ray.

Vaccines: We recommend vaccinating pet ferrets for both distemper and rabies viruses. Annual rabies vaccination is required for ferrets in North Carolina. We can talk to you about these vaccination and help you make the best choices to keep your ferret protected.

Reptiles, Amphibians, Fish, Invertebrates

vet handles snake

Whether your pet slithers, glides, hops, crawls, or swims, the Exotic Animal Medicine service is here to help with all of your pet’s needs! However, we do not see any venomous animals.

Depending on why your pet came in, and what we find during our physical exam, we may recommend a variety of diagnostic tests and treatments. These are designed to help us with a sound diagnostic plan and to keep your pet safe and well for as long as possible.

Reptiles, Amphibians, Fish, Invertebrates Tests & Consultations

Here are some things that we offer for your reptile, amphibian, fish, or invertebrate’s health and how they will keep your pet well:

Caging and lighting recommendations: Depending on what kind of animal you have, we can make recommendations for specialized lighting, heat sources, and enclosure types, that will benefit your pet and help maintain an ideal environment.

Nutrition counseling: Our patients have lots of special needs, including very particular diets! We can help you find the best diet for your pet that will help them stay healthy and happy.

Water quality: We can look for certain parameters in your pet’s water that may be causing a problem and advise on how to keep the environment appropriate for the species.

Fecal analysis: Believe it or not, looking at your pet’s stool gives us a lot of information! We look for the types of bacteria that are in the GI tract, as well as for some parasites.

Bloodwork: Routine bloodwork usually consists of a complete blood count (CBC) and a biochemistry panel. This gives us a great deal of information about our patients. The CBC allows us to look for signs of infection and inflammation, as well as for anemia. The biochemistry panel allows us to evaluate kidney and liver function, protein levels, muscle damage, and pancreas function.

Radiographs: We often recommend taking x-rays of our patients. This allows us to see bones, the respiratory system, the heart, the liver, the GI tract, the spleen, the kidneys, and the reproductive tract. We can gather a lot of information about these body systems by examining an x-ray.

Cultures: We can get samples from your animal for culture, for example from the gastrointestinal or respiratory tracts to help diagnose specific types of bacterial or fungal infections, and which types of antibiotics should be most effective.

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