State-of-the-Art Care for Zoo and Exotic Animals
Zoo and Exotic Animal Medicine has access to all diagnostic laboratories and specialty services available at the Veterinary Hospital including: Anesthesiology, Cardiology, Radiology/imaging, Ophthalmology, and Critical care. Our specialists are experts in a wide range of exotic animals. The patients we see include:
- A variety of caged birds,(parrots and finches), as well as raptors used for Falconry, pigeons and backyard poultry
- Small mammals like gerbils, ferrets, hedgehogs, rabbits and sugar gliders
- Nonvenomous reptiles and amphibians such as turtles, snakes, lizards, toads, and frogs
- Fishes
- Invertebrates ranging from coral to tarantulas
Please note that the service does not see primates or large carnivores.
Weekday and weekend emergencies (8-5) will be accommodated for existing and new clients. After hours emergency services are available for species not routinely cared for by other veterinary emergency hospitals.
Specialty Clinics
Avian Patients
Small Mammal
Reptiles, Amphibians, Fish, Invertebrates
Appointments, Referrals and Resources
Appointment Guidelines
The Exotic Animal Medicine Service is available to the general public and welcomes referral cases.
We strive to provide a safe and caring environment for your pet bird, small mammal, reptile, amphibian, fish, or invertebrate. We ask that you arrive with your pet in a carrier; this will help keep them safe from other animals that may be in the lobby, and will help reduce stress. We also ask that you bring a sample of your pet’s diet to your appointment. Upon check-in, you and your pet will be escorted into an exam room where someone will talk with you about your animal’s lifestyle, diet, and current and previous medical concerns.
The Exotic Animal Medicine Service at NC State University does not accept wildlife of any kind. The NCSU Turtle Rescue Team can be contacted regarding the rescue and rehabilitation of wild reptiles and amphibians. If you have found a wild animal that you believe is injured or orphaned, please contact a wildlife rehabilitator for instructions about safe capture and transport from the organizations listed here:
- CLAWS, Inc., located just outside of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 919-544-3330, CLAWS, Inc.
- Wildlife Welfare, Inc. (triangle-based group of independent wildlife rehabilitators), 919-619-0776, Wildlife Welfare (website and phone line have useful information)
- Carolina Raptor Center, Huntersville, NC, 704-875-6521, www.carolinaraptorcenter.org
- Wildlife Rehabilitators of North Carolina, www.ncwildliferehab.org (look up NC rehabilitators by county and species they work with).
- NCSU Turtle Rescue Team (wild turtles, snakes, lizards and amphibians only), 919-982-5923, Turtle Rescue Team
Additional resources may also be found at the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine’s website.
- A Guide to Caring for Your Pet Sugar Slider
- A Guide to Caring for Your Pet Bearded Dragon
- A Guide to Caring for Your Pet Rabbit
- A Guide to Caring for Your Pet Guinea Pig
- A Guide to Caring for Your Pet Ferret
- A Guide to Caring for Your Pet Chinchilla
