Exotic Animal Care

Your Trusted Partner in Exotic Animal Care

At Auburn Bay Veterinary Clinic, we provide compassionate sick and emergency care for exotic companion animals. When your pet is unwell, injured, or behaving differently, our team is here to assess their needs and help you make informed decisions about their care. We bring advanced clinical expertise, advanced veterinary diagnostics and imaging, and deeply compassionate attention to every non-traditional animal that walks, slithers, or flies through our doors.


Exotic pets can mask signs of illness, which means a concern that seems minor can sometimes require timely veterinary attention. As a dedicated exotic animal veterinarian in Calgary, our team understands your pet’s unique physiological needs. If you notice changes in appetite, energy, breathing, droppings, mobility, or normal behaviour, contact us to discuss an appointment for a routine visit or a comprehensive pet check-up.

Bearded dragon on a white surface, held gently by blue-gloved hands against a dark background

Dedicated Care for Exotic Pets

Exotic pets possess unique anatomical and biological traits that require specialized clinical knowledge during health crises. Our emergency and sick care service delivers targeted diagnostic testing, monitoring, and treatment when unexpected health issues arise.


Our care services are designed for dedicated pet owners seeking experienced care in veterinary internal medicine for non-traditional species. Whether managing sudden illnesses, injuries, or subtle behavioral shifts, our exotic pet vet Calgary team provides urgent attention.


We cater to a broad spectrum of small mammals, avian species, and reptiles requiring immediate or focused clinical care. Please note that our facility does not provide care for wildlife, primates, or livestock species.


If you are uncertain whether your specific pet falls within our clinical scope, we encourage you to contact our team directly. We will gladly clarify our capabilities and guide your next steps.

Comprehensive Medical & Preventative Care for Exotic Pets

Our primary care services deliver specialized wellness and preventative treatments engineered specifically for the unique biological needs of exotic pets, ensuring long-term health and vitality throughout every life stage.

  • Preventative Examinations & Vaccinations

    Routine wellness exams along with vaccinations and deworming protect your rabbit or ferret against preventable diseases, maintaining long-term health, immunity, and overall quality of life.

  • Specialized Dental Care

    Complete oral health services, including routine dental cleanings, and extractions, prevent painful dental disease, malocclusions, and severe eating difficulties.

  • Spay & Neuter Procedures

    Safe surgical sterilization helps manage behavioral issues, prevents unplanned litters, and significantly reduces the risk of reproductive cancers in both rabbits and ferrets.

  • General Soft-Tissue Surgery

    Expert surgical care addresses mass removals, abdominal issues, skin conditions and structural injuries using safe anesthetic protocols designed specifically for small, sensitive exotic mammals.

  • Urgent & Emergency Stabilization

    Rapid diagnostic testing and immediate emergency medical intervention stabilize critically ill or injured pets, offering vital support when every second counts.

Person in blue gloves working on a crab at a lab table

Keeping Your Rabbit Safe: What You Need to Know About GI Stasis

Gastrointestinal (GI) Stasis is one of the most common and dangerous emergencies in rabbits. This life-threatening condition occurs when the digestive tract slows or stops completely. Because a rabbit's system relies on continuous movement, a shutdown can quickly become fatal. If you need urgent rabbit GI stasis veterinary care because your rabbit is lethargic, hunched, or has stopped eating or passing stool, contact us immediately.

FAQs

We understand that as a pet owner, you may have many questions about our Care services. To help you better understand what we offer and how we can help maintain your exotic pet's health, we've answered some of the most frequently asked questions.

  • Which exotic animal species do you treat at your clinic?

    We provide comprehensive emergency and sick care for a wide range of non-traditional pets. Our patients include:


    Small Mammals: Rabbits, ferrets, chinchillas, guinea pigs, rats, mice, hamsters, gerbils, sugar gliders, hedgehogs, etc.


    Avian/Birds: Budgies (parakeets), cockatiels, conures, lovebirds, and larger parrots (African greys, macaws, cockatoos), etc.


    Reptiles: Bearded dragons, leopard geckos, red-eared sliders, tortoises, and non-venomous snakes (ball pythons, corn snakes, etc.).


    Please note that this list is not exhaustive, and our practice strictly excludes wildlife, primates, and livestock. If you aren't sure whether we can see your specific pet, we encourage you to call our team directly. We will gladly clarify our capabilities and help guide your pet's care.

  • What are the common signs that an exotic pet needs emergency care?

    Exotic pets naturally hide signs of illness, making subtle behavioral changes critical indicators of a medical emergency. Seek immediate veterinary care if your pet displays lethargy, severe weakness, hiding, or unusual posture. Key red flags include sudden loss of appetite, refusing water, or noticeable changes in droppings, such as absence, diarrhea, or unusual size. Respiratory distress—characterized by open-mouth breathing, tail bobbing in birds, wheezing, or nasal discharge—requires urgent attention. Unexplained bleeding, sudden balance loss, seizures, or physical trauma are also emergencies. If your pet seems unwell, act quickly and contact our team immediately for prompt evaluation.

  • What should I do if I am unsure whether my pet is considered livestock or wildlife?

    If you are uncertain about your pet’s classification, contact our team before bringing them to the clinic. We strictly exclude native wildlife species, non-human primates, and traditional livestock like goats, sheep, pigs, and poultry from our clinical care. If you find injured or orphaned local wildlife, we can connect you with licensed wildlife rehabilitators equipped to treat wild animals. For exotic farm animals or borderline species, our knowledgeable front desk staff will quickly clarify our scope of care. If we cannot accommodate your animal, we will cheerfully refer you to trusted local agricultural or wildlife specialists.

Our Services

From routine check-ups and preventive care to advanced surgical procedures and emergency services, our experienced team is equipped to handle all your pet's healthcare needs. Explore our wide array of services below to see how we can help keep your furry friend healthy and happy.

Veterinarian holding a bulldog puppy while checking its muzzle with a stethoscope

Pet Check-Ups

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Vets restrain a brown-and-white rabbit on a stainless steel table during an exam
Veterinarian examining a dog’s mouth during a checkup

Dental Care

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Fluffy tan dog being vaccinated by a vet in blue gloves against a blue background

Vaccinations & Deworming

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Small dog lying on a surgical table under a blue drape, with veterinarians in the background

Surgery

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Veterinarian in blue protective gear gently examining a fluffy dog on a clinic table
Small white dog being examined by veterinarians in a clinic, held by gloved hands
Blue-gloved hands bandaging a white dog’s leg with a purple wrap
Veterinarians in blue scrubs and gloves examine a cat on an exam table.
Veterinarian giving medicine to a gray puppy with a pink collar in a clinic
Veterinarian examining a gray rabbit while a woman watches in the background

Give Your Special Companion the Expertise They Deserve

When your pet needs specialized medical attention, quick action and expert knowledge make all the difference. Our veterinary team is fully equipped to provide compassionate, precise emergency and routine care tailored to the distinct biological needs of your exotic pet.


Whether you are responding to an urgent health concern, seeking specialized care for your rabbit or ferret, or simply confirming if we treat your species, we are here to support you. Reach out today to schedule an appointment, consult with our staff, or get immediate care for your pet.