NC State University Veterinary Health and Wellness Center to Offer Exotic Animal Medicine Service

Owners whose pets fly, slither, hop, swim or fit the description of “exotic pet” will have access to the expertise and facilities available through the new Veterinary Health and Wellness Center as the Exotic Animal Medicine Service is scheduled to begin consulting with referring veterinarians and clients beginning on August 20.

The Exotic Animal Medicine Service (EAMS) faculty and staff, known nationally and internationally for clinical expertise and veterinary education, will see both primary care and referral cases, with an emphasis on birds, small mammals, non-venomous reptiles, fishes, and amphibians. The service will provide routine and specialized medical and surgical care for both healthy and sick animals. The service will not see wildlife, venomous reptiles, non-human primates, or large carnivores.

Through the collective expertise of EAMS faculty as well as collegial support and collaboration with other specialists within the Veterinary Health Complex (VHC), EAMS is able to offer referring veterinarians and clients access to state-of-the-science medicine in a number of specialty services. These services include anesthesiology, behavior, dentistry, cardiology, critical care, dermatology, emergency medicine, nutrition, ophthalmology, neurology, oncology, orthopedic and soft tissue surgery, radiology/ imaging (contrast fluoroscopy, CT, MRI, ultrasound), and internal medicine.

After-hours emergency services are available for all VHC clients. Weekday emergencies will be accommodated for existing clients and efforts will be made to accommodate new clients whenever possible.

The EAMS will also provide an opportunity for DVM students and house officers to develop basic and advanced clinical skills with a range of animal species not seen in other specialty services within the Veterinary Health Complex.

EAMS faculty also contribute to the veterinary care in many partner institutions, including the North Carolina Zoo, the Karen Beasley Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center on Topsail Island,  the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, the Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park in Scotland Neck, and the North Carolina Aquariums at Roanoke Island, Pine Knoll Shores, and Fort Fisher.

[section_subtitle] Birds[/section_subtitle]
The EAMS will treat multiple types of birds including parrots, finches, doves, pigeons, raptors used for falconry, waterfowl, and poultry kept as pets.

[section_subtitle] Small Mammals [/section_subtitle]
Rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, chinchillas, rats, hedgehogs, sugar gliders, hamsters, gerbils, and other small mammal species can be wonderful companions and the EAMS team will discuss appropriate care and preventative treatments with owners to help the pet live many healthy years.

[section_subtitle] Reptiles and Amphibians [/section_subtitle]
Pet turtles, snakes, lizards, geckos, frogs, toads, and salamanders are among the variety of species seen by EAMS clinicians (exceptions are venomous reptiles and large lizards, except by special arrangement).

[section_subtitle] Fish and Invertebrates [/section_subtitle]
The EAMS team provides medical and surgical treatment for a variety of fish species. Invertebrates, including tarantulas and coral, can develop infections, parasite infestations, and other problems that require veterinary care.

For more information on the Exotic Animal Medical Service, please call the Veterinary Health and Wellness Center at 919. 513.6500 or e-mail vhcexoticmedicine@ncsu.edu.