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Exotic species veterinary referral service
Exotic animals have unique needs when it comes to veterinary medicine. Highcroft Zoo and Exotic Referral Service works in partnership with Bristol Zoo Gardens veterinary team and provides referral level care for all species.
Experience, expertise and specialist equipment are provided for these important patients, which include:
- Small mammals (including rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, chinchillas, sugar gliders, degus, rats and hamsters)
- Birds (including parrots, budgerigars, cockatiels, birds of prey and waterfowl)
- Reptiles (including tortoises, lizards, snakes, caimans and crocodiles)
- Invertebrates (including spiders, insects and snails)
- Amphibians and fish
- Primates (including marmosets, tamarins, lemurs, squirrel monkeys)
- Other mammals (including coatis, skunks, raccoons and wallabies)
With our extensive diagnostic facilities, and enthusiastic and knowledgeable nursing staff, here are some examples of the service we can offer exotic pets.
- Surgical procedures including egg removal of tortoises, granuloma removal in birds, laparoscopy
- Rigid and flexible endoscopy
- Advanced dental treatment of rabbits and chinchillas
- Specialist pneumonia treatment
- Further investigations: blood, urine and faecal samples are analysed in house or sent to laboratories specialising in exotics for evaluation; radiology (x-ray); ultrasound; endoscopy
- Sevoflurane anaesthetic and a ventilator to provide ideal conditions for small mammals, reptiles and birds under general anaesthetic
- Access to CT and MRI
- A separate dedicated ward for exotic species with specialist hospitalisation equipment, including vivaria
- Excellent surgical and nursing skills for exotic pets
If you would like to refer a case to our referral vets, please click here How the Service Works.