At Erindale Animal Hospital, we offer emergency and standard care for pocket pets including rabbits, hamsters, gerbils, rats, mice, guinea pigs, chinchillas, ferrets, and hedgehogs. We can also care for other exotic pets like miniature and potbellied pigs. Dr. Vivienne Jones has two decades of experience in caring for pocket pets and exotics. When you bring your pocket pet to Erindale we will promptly examine and care for sick pocket pets as they can deteriorate very quickly.
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In addition to general and emergency care for pocket pets and exotics, we also offer advanced dentistry and oral surgery for pocket pets and exotics. Dr. Jones has trained in advanced dentistry, extraction, and oral surgery for rabbits and rodents in British Columbia supervised by Drs. Vittorio Capello and Margherita Gracis.
Small Mammals
Examinations:
Regular examinations of pockets pets can detect early signs of disease, dental problems, infections, as well as monitor any behavioural or physical changes. Regular consultations help to educate owners in the proper care and nutrition for their beloved family members. We recommend an exam schedule based on the pet and dental checks in order to keep your pocket pet in the best health possible. For example, ferrets benefit from annual examinations, vaccinations specifically chosen based on their lifestyle, and routine dental exams. Ferrets are prone to ingestion of foreign objects, as well as specific types of cancers, where early identification is of the utmost importance.
Prompt emergency care for pocket pets can be crucial as their health deteriorates very quickly when sick. If your pet stops eating, appears lethargic, or has difficulty breathing please give us a call right away. We will admit your pet, examine them immediately after they arrive, and give them care that they need.
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Spay and Neuter:
Spaying or neutering pockets pets, like with dogs and cats, can improve their quality of life by decreasing the risk for disease and reducing unwanted behaviour like destructive chewing, aggression, and biting. For example, unspayed female rabbits, have a high likelihood of developing uterine cancer, and unneutered male ferrets have a strong body order and they may be more aggressive.
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Dental and Oral Health:
Regular dental check are recommended for early identification and treatment of problems, earlier treatment is often less extensive and expensive. Rodent species like rabbits, rats, mice, chinchillas, guinea pigs, gerbils, and hamsters have teeth that grow continuously throughout their lifetime. Malocclusion, or teeth that do not line up due to uneven wear, is often seen in these animals and is usually corrected by filing or grinding down the teeth while under anesthesia. If left untreated, overgrown teeth can cause trauma to their sensitive cheeks and tongue, leading to inflammation, pain, appetite loss, and even infection. Ferrets do not have teeth that grow continuously, however they may also require dental treatments that include cleaning and potentially extraction of abscessed teeth. Additionally, dental problems in pocket pets can often be prevented through proper nutrition, diet, the use of toys, and regular dental check ups.
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Parasites:
Internal and external parasites can infect pocket pets and are treated through the use of medication and other treatment. Common signs of external parasites in pocket pets are increased scratching and itching, loss of hair, skin lesions, and excessive skin flaking. Internal parasites can cause gastrointestinal distress, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, and lethargy. Please come in to see us right away if you observe any of these symptoms.
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Husbandry and Habitat:
Each different type of pet has slightly different diet and nutrition requirements. We advise you research the environmental needs of your companion thoroughly, or talk to us before getting your pet so they have a good start in their new forever home.
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For pocket pets diet, husbandry, and habitat are essential for health and happiness. Caged pets require sufficient space to move around and stand upright and in some cases such as chinchilla's place to hide, sleep and vertical space for climbing and jumping. Pocket pets also require mental stimulation through size and species appropriate toys, frequent playtimes, social or human interactions, and hiding places.
In order to prevent overgrowth of the nails into paw pads of guinea pigs, rabbits, hamster, gerbils, and other exotics, regular nail trims are recommended. Nail trims can also prevent possible nail breakage. Feel free to ask us for a nail trim demo!
Reptiles
Reptile Care, and Wellness
Proper husbandry is the foundation of good reptile health. Most medical issues in reptiles stem from inappropriate temperature, humidity, lighting, enclosure size, or diet.
Because reptiles rely on their environment to regulate body functions, even small husbandry errors can lead to metabolic disease, respiratory infections, digestive issues, or behavioural problems. Some health problems may take years to develop without any obvious sign of disease until it has progressed to a late stage.
Each species has unique requirements for temperature gradients, UVB exposure, enclosure type, substrate, and humidity. Providing appropriate basking and cool zones, high-quality UVB lighting, and species-appropriate humidity levels is essential. Enclosures should be escape-proof, easy to clean, and spacious enough to encourage natural movement. Diet varies widely between species, so it is important to research your reptile’s nutritional needs carefully and avoid over-supplementation or feeding items that are too large or inappropriate for the species.
Common Diseases
Reptiles are prone to several preventable conditions, most of which are linked to improper husbandry. Metabolic bone disease, respiratory infections, retained shed, and gastrointestinal parasites are among the most common issues. Viral, bacterial, and fungal infections also occur across species. Nutritional imbalances can lead to organ dysfunction or poor growth, while reproductive complications may arise in both males and females, especially when environmental cues are inappropriate. Ingesting substrate, foreign objects, or toxic plants can also cause serious illness. Always ensure food items are safe, appropriately sized, and sourced from reputable suppliers.
When To Take Your Reptile To The Vet
Reptiles hide illness, and signs of disease can be subtle. Seek veterinary attention if you notice decreased appetite, lethargy, abnormal shedding, swelling, discharge from the mouth or nose, difficulty breathing, changes in colour, or abnormal stools. Immediate care is needed for suspected burns, egg-binding, trauma, toxin exposure, or significant weight loss. Because early intervention is critical, annual wellness exams are strongly recommended for reptiles of all species. During a physical exam, your veterinarian may assess body condition, eyes, mouth, skin, limbs, hydration, and mobility. A husbandry review is always performed as many common diseases are linked to their environment. Depending on symptoms, diagnostics such as bloodwork, radiographs, fecal testing may be recommended.
We encourage you to contact Erindale Animal Hospital for regular exams and specific guidance tailored to your reptile’s species before chronic health problems develop.
Birds
Bird Husbandry, Care & Wellness
The class Aves includes thousands of unique species, each with its own specific care needs in captivity. The guidelines below offer a general overview, but we encourage you to contact Erindale Animal Hospital for personalized advice on your bird’s health and husbandry.
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Husbandry and Habitat:
Proper husbandry is one of the most important factors in maintaining your bird’s health. Poor nutrition is the leading cause of chronic illness in parrots and contributes to heart disease, atherosclerosis, and other serious conditions. A balanced diet should consist of about 70% species-appropriate pellets from brands such as Lafeber, Harrison’s, ZuPreem, or RoudyBush. The remaining 30% should include fresh vegetables, fruits, and healthy starches. Avoid overfeeding or offering high-fat, warmed, or soft foods frequently, as these can promote unwanted hormonal behaviours. Regular grooming supports overall wellness Offer frequent bathing opportunities through misting, showering, or wet leafy greens. Monitor nail and beak condition and ensure appropriate perches to help maintain natural wear. Environmental enrichment is equally important. Parrots are highly intelligent and require consistent mental stimulation. Without it, they may develop excessive vocalization, feather plucking, or destructive habits. Encouraging foraging, providing puzzle-based activities, offering safe destructible toys, and minimizing reflective surfaces can all support healthy behaviour. Maintaining appropriate light cycles helps reduce hormonal behaviours and prevent excessive egg laying.
Interacting With Your Bird:
Birds benefit greatly from structured social interaction. Birds receiving more than four hours of appropriate daily interaction show significantly reduced feather-picking behaviours, while those spending more than eight hours out of the cage may show increased feather damage. Interaction does not need to involve physical touch; in fact, handling should generally be limited to the head and neck to avoid sexual stimulation. Over-bonded birds may see their owners as mates and exhibit regurgitation, unwanted reproductive behaviours, or aggression. To minimize these behaviours, limit handling during hormonal periods and avoid sharing food.
When to Take Your Bird to the Vet:
Because birds naturally hide illness, even small changes can indicate serious problems. Immediate veterinary care is needed for toxin ingestion, respiratory distress such as tail bobbing or open-mouth breathing, sitting at the bottom of the cage, or appearing unusually fluffed or lethargic. Birds are particularly prone to respiratory disease, making any breathing change a concern.
Routine physical exams are essential. Your veterinarian will evaluate weight, feather condition, the musculoskeletal system, eyes, nares, oral cavity, beak, joints, and perching behavior. Bloodwork may be recommended to assess internal health, and radiographs (X-rays) can help evaluate the heart, air sacs, skeleton, and other internal structures.
Common Diseases in Birds:
Birds can experience reproductive and respiratory disorders, parasitic infections, and viral, bacterial, or fungal diseases. External parasites like lice and mites, internal parasites such as worms, and viral infections including psittacosis, avian bornavirus, and psittacine beak and feather disease are all important concerns. Fungal infections are more common in birds than in mammals due to their unique respiratory system.
Common Household Toxins
Several common foods and fumes are dangerous to birds. Avoid avocado, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, onions, garlic, xylitol, and high-salt or high-fat foods. Household hazards such as aerosol