Avian and Exotics

NorthStar VETS' Avian and Exotics Department is dedicated to the health and well-being of birds, reptiles and small mammals. Our expertise includes the care and treatment of such special pets as:

• All types of birds
• Rabbits
• Guinea pigs
• Chinchillas
• Ferrets
• Rats
• Mice
• Hamsters
• Sugar gliders
• Hedgehogs
• Degus
• Turtles
• Lizards
• Non-venomous snakes

The Services We Provide

Our veterinarians in avian and exotic-animal care provide a full range of services for your pet:

• Routine medical care, including wellness exams with consultations regarding husbandry (care, breeding and diet)
• Diagnosis and management of medical, behavioral and geriatric problems
• 24/7 emergency and trauma treatment
• 24/7 hospitalization with specialized intensive care
• Orthopedic repair
• Dental services including routine cleaning and extractions
• Sophisticated diagnostic capabilities including endoscopy (gastrointestinal, tracheal and pulmonary) and laparoscopic biopsy
• Spaying/neutering
• Advanced surgical services, including minimally invasive techniques

The Conditions We Treat

Certain medical problems are unique to birds and other exotic pets. We have extensive experience not only in diagnosing these species-specific conditions but also providing the most appropriate medical and surgical treatments. These conditions (by species) include:

Birds

• Respiratory problems
• Soft tissue injuries or disorders such as cloacal prolapse (when a bird's combined intestinal, urinary and reproductive organ protrudes from the body)
• Eye disorders
• Reproductive issues
• Avian infections
• Beak injuries (surgical repair and prosthesis)

Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, and Chinchillas

• Soft tissue injuries and disorders including rectal polyps, tumors
• Abscesses
• Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders
• Bladder stones
• C-sections

Ferrets

• Gastrointestinal disorders including foreign body removal, lymphocytic-plasmacytic gastroenteritis and colitis (IBD)
• Adrenal disease
• Insulinoma, lymphosarcoma and other neoplastic diseases

Other Small Mammals (Rats, Mice, Hamsters, Sugar Gliders, Hedgehogs, Degus)

• Age-related conditions such as cardiomyopathy, arthritis, gastrointestinal and oral problems
• Abscesses
• Soft tissue injuries and disorders including tumors

Reptiles, Including Turtles, Lizards, and Non-venomous Snakes

• Shell injuries in turtles
• Soft tissue injuries and disorders including tumors
• Gastrointestinal conditions
• Pulmonary problems

To make a referral or schedule a consultation with our Avian & Exotics Department,
simply call NorthStar VETS at 609.259.8300.

Jeanette Opalski - Client Liaison
Pet Parents: Contact Jeanette at 609-259-8300 x1204 or at jopalski@northstarvets.com to schedule your appointment and get all pre-consultation paperwork set up.

Veterinarians: Contact Jeanette with questions about in-hospital cases, or to discuss a pending case. You can also refer a case online.