SCARSDALE, N.Y., Feb. 10, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Central Animal Hospital in Scarsdale, NY is educating exotic pet owners about the importance of receiving veterinary care treatments from veterinarians experienced caring for exotic pets. According to the vets, not all animal hospitals are properly equipped to treat exotic pets such as birds and reptiles. Choosing an animal hospital with the right equipment, training and expertise provides an enhanced level of vet care. The vets at Central Animal Hospital are fully experienced in exotic animal care, including wellness checkups and dietary needs.
Exotic pet owners can benefit from choosing a veterinarian with extensive experience in reptile, avian and pocket pet care, says the veterinary care team at Central Animal Hospital.
"Owning birds, reptiles or other exotic animals can be very rewarding," said veterinarian Dr. Michael Woltz, clinic director for Central Animal Hospital. "However, it's important to keep in mind that these pets require specialty veterinary services that may not be available from every animal hospital. A veterinarian with a special interest in exotic and avian pet medicine, for example, is best positioned to care for birds like parrots."
Central Animal Hospital provides dedicated veterinary care, including wellness exams, for exotic pets. The animal hospital has two veterinarians on staff with a special interest in exotic and avian medicine, Dr. Lester Sills and Dr. Jason Siegelheim.
"Birds such as parrots can live for 50 years or more," said veterinarian, Jason Siegelheim, DVM. "Maintaining their quality of life during this time span is of utmost importance. This includes basic wellness care such as clipping nails, screening for parasites, and ensuring a balanced diet."
Dr. Siegelheim, who's held extensive internships including exotic medicine, cares for exotic animals and pocket pets at the animal hospital in Scarsdale. He recommends that pet owners schedule regular wellness exams to monitor the health of their exotic pets and pocket pets.
Since pocket pets also have limited life expectancy, regular health screenings are critical. Additionally, the veterinary hospital recommends pocket pets receive an exam every six months to one year. For other reptiles and birds, pet owners should schedule an annual health check-up.
"Exotics have very unique nutritional and habitat needs," said Dr. Siegelheim. "Regular wellness exams are an important opportunity to evaluate a pet's health and discuss habitat and dietary needs with pet owners."
Reptiles, for example, have specific needs for heat and humidity to mimic their natural environments. Dietary needs can be complex, as some reptiles required a variety of plant life similar to what they would eat in the wild.
"Our veterinary team can assist pet owners in sourcing food and maintaining habitat integrity for exotics, including reptiles," said Dr. Woltz. "This is a service that requires specialized care and experience with exotics, and is not offered by every animal vet hospital."
Pet owners may learn more about the benefits of an exotic animal hospital by visiting http://bestvets.net.