Small Mammals Chronic Disease Management
Your small mammal may develop a chronic illness as he or she ages.
Alternatively, your small mammal may become impaired due to injury. Small mammals have evolved to be masters at hiding their illness. All small mammal health problems should be brought to the attention of one of our Winter Park Vets. As soon as possible, assessment and diagnostic testing should be performed, and a specific treatment plan started for the best health of your pet.
Common issues for all small mammals:
- Chronic upper respiratory issues
- Arthritis
- Palliative care/Hospice
- Endocrine diseases
- Teeth issues
- Nutritional advice
- Husbandry
If your rabbit is outdoors, please let us know. They could be exposed to Calicivirus (Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus). While RHDV not common, extra precaution needs to be taken as this disease is extremely contagious. To read more about RHDV, please click here.
If your pet does have a chronic condition, the caring team members at Winter Park Vet are here for you and your pet. Once your pet is on a treatment plan, we will make sure your pet is responding well to the treatment. Over time, your pet may need adjustments to their medications to help them feel their best.
We will consult with you about the appropriate diet and vitamin supplements needed based upon your pet’s illness. Sometimes a pet who is not eating well is also not drinking well and may become dehydrated. We will guide you through the best options available for your small mammal.
If your small mammal has a terminal illness, we will recommend medications to slow the illness down and make your pet as comfortable as possible.
Overall, it is important to realize with chronic diseases that there is no single simple cure. All of us at Winter Park Vet are here to partner with you and your small mammal to manage your pet’s condition.
Please call us today to schedule an appointment if you have any questions or concerns about your pet’s health, would like to receive a receive a second opinion from one of our veterinarians, or your pet’s long-term care.
Small mammals with a strong veterinarian-patient relationship will benefit from better overall health and improved disease control. We encourage small mammal pet parents to establish a relationship with us early in their pet’s life, before an emergency necessitates a visit. We have an experienced exotic veterinarian on call 7 days a week for small mammal, avian and exotic pets established with us as clients. As part of our lifetime commitment to our established small mammal pet parents, in the evenings and on Saturday and Sunday we prioritize established small mammal pet patients if capabilities are limited. Therefore, establishing and maintaining the relationship with us is important for your small mammal pet.
