Organized alphabetically by species, this fact list is intended as a partial list to initiate a dialogue between you and your vet. It is very sad to see pets die from preventable causes and lack of veterinary care. We hope this information will help save lives.

Link Guide Instructions
Below is the list of alphabetical list of animals. Simply click on any of the animal names or images to review their associated healthcare information.

Birds
General Requirements: Birds need a clean roomy cage in a location that has no drafts. Filtered, boiled or bottled water is recommended to avoid protozoal contaminants such as Giardia. It is best for disease prevention if you can teach your bird to drink from a water bottle.
Pelleted food is a healthier choice than a seed diet but it is important to convert birds slowly by offering both seeds at the cage bottom and pellets mixed with a few seeds at a higher location. Avicakes & Nutraberries are very good for improving your bird’s diet, as they are mixtures of seeds and pellets. Your bird should been seen 1-2x/year by your avian veterinarian for an exam, stool check and diagnostics if needed. Various avian vaccines are available to protect your bird, your vet will advise which ones are needed. Remember homeless birds are often available at animal shelters.     Medical: Blood loss can be fatal to birds since they do not have a very large volume to start with. Avoid giving your bird alcohol, caffeine or avocado, or exposing them to second hand smoke as these items can be fatal. Some birds get gastroenteritis or ingluvitis, (sour crop), they have diarrhea or regurgitate. Many pet birds will chew on items around the house or their cages and get lead & zinc poisoning. Female birds occasionally have reproductive problems such as egg binding.                                     * Birds hide symptoms as long as possible, when you notice something may be wrong: they are very sick!Back to Link Guide >>

Chinchillas
General Requirements: Chinchillas need a clean cage and filtered water. They need daily dust baths, and an exercise wheel. Avoid cedar bedding as it can be very irritating and toxic.  Take your chinchilla to the vet 1-2x/yr for an examination and a fecal check.                                               Medical: Chinchillas suffer ailments such as ringworm and gastroenteritis from protozoa (i.e. Giardia). Spaying females may prevent reproductive tumors.Back to Link Guide >>

Ferrets
General Requirements: Roomy clean cage with corner litter pan(s), filtered water, and a covered bed to sleep/hide in. Avoid cedar bedding. Vet visits 1-2x/yr for exams, fecal test and vaccines. A rabies vaccine is required every year. The distemper vaccine is highly recommended as this disease is 100% fatal. Even with descenting and frequent bathing, ferrets still have a musky odor that is offensive to some people.                                                                                  Medical: Lymphoma, a bone marrow cancer is fairly common but often effectively treated when diagnosed early. Females need to be spayed if not being bred to avoid fatal estrogen side effects. Ferrets commonly suffer from adrenal tumors, which can be treated surgically, or medically depending on your vet’s recommendation for your ferret. Cystitis and urinary blockages have occurred in heavily fortified diets. Many ferrets develop gastroenteritis from eating abnormal items, which can cause gastrointestinal blockages.                                                                                             * Ferrets are illegal in some states. They may attack small pets and children or babies.Back to Link Guide >>

Geckos
General Requirements: Geckos need a clean roomy cage, fresh water, and a temperature of 80F to 85F. Avoid sand bedding, corncob bedding, walnut bedding, and bark/moss bedding. They eat insects such as crickets, mealworms and wax worms. Geckos will lose their tails to escape from predators or if scared. Geckos need to see the vet 1-2x/year for examinations, fecal checks and sometimes other diagnostics.                                                                             Medical: Small geckos will block from eating bedding or mealworms that are too large. Fatal perforations can result from eating mealworms alive. Moldy crickets can cause liver toxicity. Incorrect diets result in metabolic bone problems. Geckos may have internal parasites or external ones like mites.                                                       * Not recommended for children 5 years and under due to possible Salmonella infections.Back to Link Guide >>

Gerbils
General Requirements: Gerbils need clean cage, filtered water and an exercise wheel. Avoid cedar bedding, which can be toxic. Gerbils produce very little odor due to very dry feces and almost no urine production. 
Medical: Gastroenteritis/ileitis a digestive disorder that gerbils can get typically exhibiting diarrhea and appetite loss. The tail skin is easily pulled off so do not handle by the tail! Many gerbils exhibit seizures due to certain sounds or for no apparent reason at all.                                                                                                    * Gerbils sometimes bite and may not be a good choice for small children.               Back to Link Guide >>

Guinea Pigs
General Requirements: Guinea pigs need a clean cage, filtered water, and a daily Vitamin C source. Feed only guinea pig food, provide fresh fruit/veggies daily, and provide hay for grazing. Oxbow brand food is a good non-alfalfa food source if your vet determines that this is needed. Avoid cedar bedding as it is very irritating. Provide a solid rather than a metal grid cage bottom to prevent foot injuries. Guinea pigs need periodic nail trims and annual/biannual vet exams to check teeth, stool and general health status. It is best to spay females to prevent mammary and repro tract tumors, as well as unwanted pregnancies.If you are breeding, the females must be no older than 6mos or they may not be able to deliver the babies and will need surgery. Neutering males may minimize retention of feces in rectal area (and avoid clostridium build up.) Guinea pigs are often shy and will not survive in active homes with other pets or young children. Guinea pigs are often available at the animal shelter.                                                                          Medical: Guinea pigs exhibit gut stasis or lack of intestinal movement by eating less and producing fewer feces. Gut stasis needs immediate veterinary attention. Guinea pigs can also get itchy from hair mites, ringworm, or allergies. Some Guinea pigs have cystitis or bladder infections. Old age problems include kidney disease, arthritis, and neoplasia. Back to Link Guide >>

Hamsters
General Requirements: Hamsters need a clean cage with a dark area for sleeping, and filtered water. Avoid cedar bedding as it can be very irritating. Provide an exercise wheel in the cage. If using an exercise ball, be very cautious that it does not fall down stairs. Hamsters need vet exams and stool checks 1-2x/year.                                Medical: Bloody urine may indicate UTI, or a reproductive tumor in females. Spaying females may prevent reproductive tumors. Old age problems include arthritis and neoplasia.                                                          * Hamsters are nocturnal and may bite if disturbed while asleep during the daytime.  Back to Link Guide >>

Hedgehogs
General Requirements: Hedgehogs need a clean cage, filtered water, and an exercise wheel. Avoid cedar bedding as it can be very irritating. Most hedgehogs enjoy a mealworm treat now and again. Hedges need nail trims and teeth cleaning periodically. They should have vet visits 1-2 x/year for examination and stool checks. Further diagnostics will be performed as needed.      Medical: Many hedgehogs have ear and skin mites. Some hedgehogs exhibit gastroenteritis and diarrhea due to bacteria or protozoa such as Giardia. It is recommended that females be spayed to prevent reproductive tumors.                      * Hedgehogs are nocturnal and should be allowed to sleep undisturbed during the daytime. Back to Link Guide >>

Iguanas
General Requirements: Iguanas need a clean, warm enclosure, with a UVA/UVB light source, (that is not more than 6 months old.) Iguanas do NOT get the needed UVB exposure through a glass window. Iguanas usually require a calcium supplement and a wide variety of fresh fruits & vegetables. Avoid bark bedding, corncob bedding, and grass carpet, (Iguanas will eat the loose pieces of plastic along the edges). Iguanas need to see the vet 1-2x/year for an exam and a stool check. Other diagnostics will be done if needed.                                                               Medical: Many iguanas have skin mites and intestinal parasites. Poor diet and lack of calcium and UV results in bone deformities, seizures and death. Iguanas will ingest all types of foreign materials and become fatally blocked if allowed to free roam around the house instead of staying in a cage. Female iguanas may have seasonal reproductive problems associated with egg retention, and need to be spayed. Early neuter of male iguanas may minimize aggression.                                                          * Iguanas become very large and can be aggressive to owners by using their tails, claws, and teeth to create wounds. Iguanas may carry Salmonella, and are NOT recommended for contact with children 5 yrs and under. Back to Link Guide >>

Mice
General Requirements: Mice need a clean roomy cage, an exercise wheel, and filtered water. Avoid cedar bedding as it can be very irritating. Females can be kept together if introduced from an early age. If mature females are introduced, they may fight. Males will always fight and must be housed separately. Mice reproduce very easily so keep males and females apart unless you are prepared to be responsible for many offspring! Mice need to see the vet 1-2x/year for an exam and a fecal check.                                                                                Medical: Mice can have parasites, tumors, mammary tumors, or abscesses from fighting.                                                                                                                          * Mice have a distinctive odor, which is especially strong with males.                       Back to Quick Link Guide >>

Rabbits
General Requirements: Rabbits need a clean roomy cage with plenty of filtered water. They need nail trims, possibly teeth trims, pelleted food, fruit /veggies and hay for grazing. Avoid cedar bedding as it can be very irritating. Rabbits need to be seen by the veterinarian 1-2x/year for exams and stool checks. Other diagnostics may also be performed. Your vet may recommend oxbow food if a non-alfalfa source is needed.                                                                         Medical: Rabbits exhibit gut stasis, or lack of motility, by less eating, less fecal production, and less activity. It may be due to a hairball or other blockage, with bacterial overgrowth. Gut stasis is a medical emergency. Some rabbits have maloccluded or overgrown teeth and cannot eat very well. Rabbits easily break their backs when handled improperly, you vet will show you the safe way to pick up a rabbit. Bloody urine may indicate a urinary tract infection or a bladder stone. Warbles are fly grubs under the skin and are seen in rabbits kept outside. Crusty dirty ears may be due to ear mites. A rabbit that circles or leans sideways may have an infection, parasite or tumor. E.cunniculi and Pasturella are tested for with a blood sample. Rabbits may be itchy from fleas or ringworm. Female rabbits should be spayed to prevent mammary tumors, repro tract tumors and to make them more comfortable.                                                                                                                   * Rabbits are copraphagic, it is normal for them to eat their own feces! They produce two types of feces and normally eat the softer stools.  Back to Link Guide >>

Rats
General Requirements: Rats need a clean roomy cage, filtered water, and an exercise wheel. Avoid cedar bedding as it can be very irritating. Rats are the undiscovered pets! They are absolutely great with kids. They are very social and enjoy being handled. Males can be kept together or females can be kept together. If you want to breed your rats, they reproduce rapidly so you need to be prepared to have a lot of pets! Rats need vet visits 1-2x/year for examinations, stool checks and other diagnostics as you vet determines.                                           Medical: Early spaying of females is recommended to prevent mammary tumors, or reproductive tract tumors. Upper respiratory infections or pneumonia is seen. Old age problems include arthritis, neoplasia, kidney disease, liver disease and heart disease.                                                                                                                           * Red tears or red nasal discharge indicated stress and some other disease condition that your veterinarian can diagnose and treat. Back to Link Guide >>

Snakes
General Requirements: Snakes need a clean, dry, warm, roomy cage, with a fresh water supply. Avoid bark bedding, corncob bedding, and walnut bedding. Most snakes do well if kept 85F to 90F but check for individual species requirements. It is optional to provide UVA light, (black light), but it is often done to promote serotonin production and contentment. Snakes need to see the vet              1-2x/year for an examination and a fecal check. Other diagnostics may be needed. Medical: Bite wounds from live prey, (need to teach snake to eat killed food), mouth rot often associated with upper and lower respiratory disease or pneumonia. Medical problems are usually associated with a poor environment such as a cold, dirty cage. Some snakes get blister belly or inflamed swollen belly scutes from lying in a filthy wet cage full of feces and urates. Some snakes get burns from contact with a heat source that is too hot. Many snakes have mite, ticks, or internal parasites.                            * Snakes are not considered appropriate pets for children 5 years and under due to possible Salmonella infection.  Back to Link Guide >>

Tortoises & Land Turtles
General Requirements: Tortoises need a clean, dry, roomy cage with plenty of fresh water. They need a balanced diet of fruits and vegetables. Most do well if kept at 80F but check for individual species requirements. They can live a long time with proper care and need to see the vet 1-2x/year for examinations and fecal checks. Other diagnostics may also be needed.  
Medical: Tortoises often have calcium deficiencies and Vitamin A deficiencies from an incorrect diet. Many tortoises have internal parasites or external mites/ticks. Tortoises may have respiratory diseases, bacterial infections, or neoplasia.           Back to Link Guide >>

Turtles
General Requirements: Turtles need clean water deep enough to swim in and an area to climb totally out of the water. This area should have a basking light so they can dry out their shell. Most species do well at 80F-85F but check for individual species requirements. Turtles need balanced, fortified turtle food. Feeding only meat causes life threatening health problems. Aquatic turtles readily eat small gravel and become blocked. It is best to use either nothing on the tank bottom, sand, or larger rocks.                                                                           Medical: Water becomes contaminated quickly unless changed frequently. Contaminated water causes shell and skin infections. Improper diet causes swollen eyes and respiratory problems. Turtles often have internal parasites.                          * Water turtles may carry Salmonella and are not suitable pets for children 5 yrs and under.  Back to Link Guide >>