Pocket Pet Veterinary Care

At Stewart Animal Clinic, we know that pocket pets like hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, rabbits, and ferrets are more than just pets – they’re family! Whether you're a first-time small mammal owner or a seasoned pocket pet enthusiast, our trusted veterinary team is here to keep your little buddy healthy and happy.

What is a Pocket Pet Vet?

Some veterinarians specialize in pocket pets, which are small mammals that require special care. People may refer to them as a guinea pig vet, rabbit vet, rat vet, or ferret vet.

Pocket pets can be tricky to care for because they are experts at hiding signs of sickness and discomfort. As prey animals in the wild, they instinctively avoid showing weakness. Unfortunately, this means they might already be quite sick when they start showing symptoms. That’s why regular check-ups and a good relationship with a vet experienced in small mammal care are so important.

Common Health Issues in Pocket Pets

Small mammals can have various health issues that may pop up, and it’s important to know what to look for. Here are a few common health concerns that affect hamsters, guinea pigs, and other small mammals and rodents:

• Respiratory Infections: Small mammals are prone to respiratory problems. If your pet is sneezing, has discharge around their eyes or nose, or is breathing heavily, it could be a sign of a respiratory infection that needs treatment.
• Dental Issues: Rodents like hamsters and guinea pigs have teeth that grow continuously. If their teeth become overgrown, it can cause pain, trouble eating, and infections. Regular dental checks can prevent this.
• Digestive Problems: Many small mammals have sensitive digestive systems. Changes in diet, stress, or other health issues can cause diarrhea, constipation, or loss of appetite. If your small pet isn’t eating or has abnormal stool, it’s time for a vet visit.
• Skin and Fur Problems: Itchy skin, fur loss, or scabs can indicate parasites, fungal infections, or allergies. Don’t wait to seek treatment if your small mammal is scratching or losing fur.
• Reproductive Issues: Small mammals can suffer from complications like tumors or infections in their reproductive organs, particularly in females. Spaying and neutering may help prevent some of these problems.

Pocket Pet Services We Offer

We offer a variety of vet services for your pocket pets, including:

Wellness Checks

Regular vet check-ups are crucial to catching problems early, even if your pet seems healthy. During a routine visit, we’ll check your pet’s overall condition, teeth, skin, and fur and discuss any behavioral changes you’ve noticed. Regular exams give us the chance to spot issues before they become serious.

Spay/Neuter

While traditionally, this is something you think of for cats and dogs, it's also important to spay or neuter your pocket pet. Spaying or neutering is a good way to control the population and help protect your pet from certain diseases, like various types of cancer.

Diagnostics

If you notice that your pocket pet has been acting weird, or is noticeably sick, one of our veterinarians will be able to perform diagnostics for them. Diagnostics can include services like bloodwork, x-rays, and ultrasounds. Following a diagnostic exam, our veterinarians can prescribe medicine to get your pet feeling healthy and active again.

Other services we offer include:

• Professional nail trimming
• Vaccinations
• Dental care
• Surgeries for growth removal, fractures, and internal problems
• Nutritional counseling
• Behavioral and environmental counseling
• Microchipping

Pocket Pet Care In Warrior

If you’re looking for pet rabbit care, hamster care, gerbil care, rat care, ferret care, guinea pig care, mouse care, or chinchilla care, you’ve come to the right place! Our team is passionate about helping tiny pets live long, healthy lives. To book an appointment for your pocket pet, call us at (205) 647-8140 or book an appointment online below!