Preparing a First Aid Kit for Exotic Pets

Date: 9/22/2010

Exotic pets typically need veterinary attention in an emergency, but there are some supplies you can have on hand to provide aid in some common situations. Here are some recommendations from Dr. Davis:

  

Rabbits, Guinea pigs, chinchillas:


- A packet of Oxbow brand critical care for syringe feeding if the pet stops eating. This can be purchased at Pender Exotic Veterinary Centre.

- A bottle of simethicone (brand name Mylicon) to help break down gas in the gastrointestinal tract--similar to Gas X. This can be found in the infant section of most drug stores.

- A tube of laxatone hair ball remedy. This can be purchased at a pet store or Pender.

- Quick stop powder, stiptic pencil or a baggy containing cornstarch to act as a clotting agent if a toenail breaks or is cut too short and bleeds.

 

Ferrets:

- Quick stop powder, stiptic pencil or baggy containing cornstarch to act as a clotting a Laxatone hair ball remedy

- A packet of Oxbow brand Carnivore Care syringe feeding formula for the ferret that stops eating or is recovering from illness. This can be purchased at Pender.

- Karo syrup for ferrets with insulinoma that go into a hypoglycemic state. A little put on the gums in the mouth can help if the ferret is having a seizure or is unable to move.

 

Birds:

-A towel of appropriate size to wrap around a bird when trying to handle it.

-n aquarium of appropriate size to use as a hospital cage. Try to avoid bird cages in the very ill bird as the bird usually becomes too active and wants to climb and perch. An aquarium with a cover forces the bird to rest. A 10-gallon tanks works well for birds smaller than a cockatiel, quaker, or conure. Larger ones are needed for mid- and large- sized parrots.

- A heating pad that can be placed under the aquarium to provide supplemental heat. If a bird is fluffing its feathers and puffed out, it is cold and needs the additional heat support. Make sure the heat radiating through the bottom of the tank is comfortable for your hand.

- Small bowls for food and water: jar lids, small candle holders made out of glass, or small rodent food and water bowls work well to put at the bottom of the cage

- Paper towels can work well as a substrate.

- Corn starch, flour, quick stop powder can be used on a bleeding toenail or a bleeding blood feather to help it clot until the bird can be seen by a veterinarian.

-Sterile lubricant like KY Jelly can be applied to cloacal prolapsed tissue to keep it moist until seen by a vet

 

Reptiles:

- An aquarium setup similar to the one described above for birds with the heating pad and food and water bowls can be helpful as a hospital cage during illness and recovery.

- A bottle of sterile lubricant like KY Jelly can applied to cloacal prolapsed tissue to keep it moist until seen by a veterinarian.

 

 

Vital Signs:

Most small pets have vital signs that are too fast to count or difficult to assess at home. I would not recommend anyone try to take a temperature of their guinea pig, rabbit or ferret, they can cause trauma and stress. I would recommend they monitor the coloring of the mucous membranes by lifting a lip to check coloring and capillary refill time.

For most exotic pets including birds: If they are lethargic, stop their normal pattern of eating by missing a meal or not defecating or urinating with a normal frequency, they need an exam. For rabbits especially if not eating within 6 hours, this is a concern.