Veterinary Care For Birds, Reptiles, and Small Exotic Mammals
At Blue Springs Animal Hospital, we know that pets are family and that includes your unique and exotic companions. Whether you share your home with a playful parrot, a gentle reptile, or a curious small mammal, Dr. Molly O’Brien and Dr. Laura Peck are here to provide compassionate, expert care tailored to their special needs.
Exotic pets require a thoughtful and knowledgeable approach, and our team is dedicated to making every visit comfortable for both you and your pet. We offer a full range of services, from wellness exams and nutritional guidance to advanced diagnostics, all in a welcoming environment. Both Dr. O’Brien and Dr. Peck are members of the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians and the Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians. Dr. Peck is also a member of the Association of Avian Veterinarians.
We believe every animal deserves exceptional treatment and every owner deserves trusted guidance. Whether you’re a first-time exotic pet owner or a seasoned enthusiast, we’re here to support you and your pet every step of the way.
When making an appointment for your exotic pet, we kindly ask you to complete the Exotic Pet New Patient Form which includes a husbandry questionnaire. This provides important information unique to exotic pets that will help our veterinarians fully address your pet's specific needs:
What Species of Birds, Reptiles, and Exotic Pets Are Treated At Blue Springs Animal Hospital?
Dr. O’Brien and Dr. Peck are proud to care for a wide variety of exotic pets. We understand that each species has unique needs, and we’re here to provide knowledgeable, compassionate care for your special companion.
We commonly treat:
-
Non-venomous reptiles including snakes, lizards, turtles, and tortoises
- Small mammals such as rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, hedgehogs, hamsters, rats, mice, gerbils, degu, sugar gliders, chinchillas
- Birds including a variety of pet birds like parrots, cockatoos, cockatiels, and budgies, poultry including chickens and ducks, and domesticated birds of prey used for falconry
We are always expanding our knowledge and experience with exotic species. If you have a pet not listed here, please refer to the section below for animals we are not able to treat. If you are unsure about your specific pet, please reach out and we will be happy to let you know how we can help.
What Species Of Animals Cannot Be Treated At Blue Springs Animal Hospital?
Exotic medicine requires specialized training and equipment, and we believe in practicing within the areas where we can provide the safest and most effective care. To ensure every animal receives the highest standard of care, there are certain species we are not currently equipped to treat:
- Venomous or highly dangerous species and large exotic animals (such as primates or large carnivores) - For assistance with these exotic animals we recommend the Exotic and Zoological Medicine Service at The Veterinary Health Center at Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS.
- Wildlife or injured wild animals - For injured wildlife, please contact Lakeside Nature Center. Click on the links below for guidance with orphaned birds and young mammals:
- Livestock species (goats, sheep, horses, cattle, pigs, etc.) - For livestock care, please contact your local large animal veterinarian, the Livestock Services at The Veterinary Health Center at Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS, or The Veterinary Health Center at the University of Missouri in Columbia, MO.
If your pet falls outside of the species we treat, our team is happy to guide you to an appropriate specialist or facility. We appreciate your understanding and remain committed to providing excellent care for the pets we are able to serve.
What Veterinary Services Are Provided For Birds, Reptiles, And Exotic Pets at Blue Springs Animal Hospital?
We offer a full range of veterinary services for exotic pets including:
- Nutrition and Husbandry Counseling
- Wellness and preventive care exams
- Laboratory testing and diagnostics
- Medical treatment and management
- Surgical procedures
Why Is Proper Husbandry So Important For Exotic Pets?
Husbandry refers to the way your pet is housed, fed, and cared for on a daily basis. Exotic pets have very specific environmental and dietary needs that are essential to their health and well-being. Unlike dogs and cats, many exotic animals rely heavily on their surroundings to regulate body temperature, digestion, and overall function. That means proper husbandry is one of the most important factors in keeping them healthy.
Small changes in temperature, lighting, humidity, or diet can have a big impact. In fact, many common health issues we see in exotic pets are directly related to husbandry. Problems such as metabolic bone disease, respiratory infections, and poor nutrition can often be prevented with the right setup and care.
At Blue Springs Animal Hospital, Dr. Peck and Dr. O’Brien work closely with families to ensure each pet’s environment is just right. We ask all clients with exotic pets to complete an extensive New Patient Exotic Pet Form before their pet's first visit. The form is focused on husbandry to help us understand your pet's current care. We will guide you on proper enclosure setup, diet, and daily care so your pet can thrive—not just survive.
How Should I Prepare For My Exotic Pet's Veterinary Visit?
If you have not done so already, please make an appointment and complete both the New Client Information Form and the Exotic Pet New Patient Form. When you come to your appointment, please ensure that your pet is in an enclosure. Many exotic pets can move quite quickly and we want to make sure they are safe and escape proof when they are here. Once you arrive, please call us from the parking lot to let us know you are here. When the doctor team is ready for you, we will escort you directly to the exam room.
Exotic Exotic pets often experience a vet visit in different ways from more traditional canine and feline species. Preparing them for a vet visit is very important in helping reduce stress when they are here. There are several excellent videos in the links below on how to acclimate your pet to an exam before they even arrive at the clinic.
Avian and Exotic Vet Clinic in Indianapolis is an extremely well regarded Veterinary Hospital in the exotics world. They have a fantastic YouTube channel with many good videos. Below is a link to their videos on preparing for your pet's visit as well as a link to their entire Youtube channel.
Before Your Visit Video Guides
Avian and Exotic Vet Clinic Full YouTube library
What If My Exotic Pet Needs Emergency Care?
At Blue Springs Animal Hospital, the health and safety of your pet is always our top priority. While Dr. O’Brien and Dr. Peck are experienced in exotic animal care, there are certain emergency situations that require specialized facilities, advanced equipment, or 24-hour critical care that we are not equipped to provide. For this reason, we are unable to treat:
- After-hours or overnight emergencies
- Daytime emergencies when Dr. Peck and Dr. O’Brien are unavailable
- Critically unstable patients requiring intensive or 24/7 monitoring
- Emergencies involving species we do not routinely treat
In these situations, your pet will receive the best care at a dedicated emergency or specialty hospital with advanced resources and round-the-clock staffing. We recommend VEG ER for Pets in Overland Park, Kansas or The Veterinary Health Center at Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS.
If you believe your exotic pet is experiencing an emergency, we strongly encourage you to seek immediate care at a qualified emergency facility. Our team is always happy to help direct you to the appropriate clinic so your pet can receive prompt, life-saving care when it matters most.
Frequently Asked Questions And Resources
LafeberVet is a highly regarded resource for exotic animal veterinary professionals. They have many reliable resources and well written articles. We highly recommend visiting the LafeberVet Website and reading their articles.
Bearded dragon
- LafeberVet Information: Bearded Dragon
- Association Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians: Bearded Dragon
Leopard gecko
- LafeberVet Information: Leopard Gecko
- Association Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians: Leopard Gecko
Corn Snake
Ball Python
Red Eared Slider
- LafeberVet Information: Red Eared Slider
- Association Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians: Red Eared Slider
Ferret
Rabbit
Guinea Pig
Hamster
Rat
Gerbil
Chinchilla
Hedgehog
Sugar Glider
Chicken
Duck
Pet Birds
- Association of Avian Veterinarians: Parrots, Cockatiels, Budgies, Macaws, Cockatoos, Conures, Canaries, Lories, Quakers, Lovebirds
Customer Reviews of Exotic Pet Services at Blue Springs Animal Hospital
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