Exotic Pet Blog

Case Study #35: Mute Swan Lead Poisoning (Endoscopy) Patient: Mute Swan (Adult) Location: Long Island, NY Mute Swan Lead Poisoning Treatment and Endoscopic Foreign Body Removal for Long Island Patient at Long Island Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic Lead poisoning is a devastating and all-too-common condition in waterfowl around Long Island. Swans, geese, and ducks often swallow lead fishing sinkers and hooks, often mistaking them for small fish, seeds, insects, or aquatic...

Case Study #34: Iguana Bladder Stone Surgery Patient: Green Iguana (Age 6) Location: Queens, NY Green Iguanas are impressive reptiles, but keeping them healthy in the New York climate requires strict attention to UV lighting, temperature, and diet. When these factors are off balance, even slightly, iguanas are prone to metabolic diseases and urinary stones. A 6-year-old female Green Iguana from Queens, NY, presented to our clinic on emergency. She was lethargic, weak, and suf

Case Study #33: Axolotl Oral Tumor Surgery Patien t: Axolotl (Age 6) Location:  NYC Metro Area Axolotls are unique, fully aquatic salamanders that have become increasingly popular pets in New York. They live entirely in water, breathe through delicate external gills, and have very specific environmental and metabolic needs, which means their medical care requires a specialized understanding of their biology. A 6-year-old female Axolotl presented to Long Island Bird & Exotics

Case Study #32: Canada Goose Hook Removal (Wildlife) Pa tient: Canada Goose (Adult) Location: Long Island, NY Long Island is home to beautiful waterways and abundant wildlife, but human activity often poses a threat to local birds. Fishing hooks and lines are among the most common and deadly hazards for waterfowl. Recently, an adult Canada Goose was brought to Long Island Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic by a local wildlife rescue organization. The goose had been found with a

Case Study #31: Rabbit Eye Discharge (Dental Disease) Patient:  Rabbit (Age 4) Location:  Queens, NY A 4-year-old neutered male rabbit from Queens, NY, presented to Long Island Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic with persistent ocular discharge from his left eye and a known history of dental issues. His case serves as a crucial lesson for rabbit owners in NYC and Long Island: in rabbits, the eyes and the teeth are inextricably linked. The Patient: A "Weepy" Eye That Wouldn't He

Case Study #30: Call Duck Phallus Prolapse Patient:  Call Duck (Age 2) Location:  Long Island, NY Waterfowl medicine is a specialized area of exotic veterinary care. Ducks have unique anatomy, and male ducks (drakes) can occasionally experience a reproductive condition called phallus prolapse, which requires prompt evaluation by an experienced veterinarian. A 2-year-old male Call Duck from Long Island, NY, presented to our clinic with a history of lethargy and a visible tissu

Case Study #29: Rescue Macaw Wellness & Diagnostics Patient:  Severe Macaw (Age Unknown) Location : Queens, NY Finding a lost or abandoned parrot can be very unexpected. A Severe Macaw (Chestnut-Fronted Macaw) was found outdoors in Queens, NY and taken in by a kind-hearted individual. After providing care and making efforts to locate his original owners, the bird was brought to Long Island Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic for a comprehensive evaluation. Bringing a bird of unk

Case Study #28: Sugar Glider Neuter Patient:  Sugar Glider (Age 1) Location:  NYC Metro Area Sugar Glider Neuter and Wellness Care for NYC Patient at Long Island Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic Sugar Gliders are unique marsupials that bond closely with their owners. However, intact male sugar gliders can present specific behavioral and physical challenges. A 1-year-old intact male Sugar Glider from the NYC Metro area presented to Long Island Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic

Case Study #27: Chicken Trauma (Raccoon Attack) Patient: Chicken (Age 6 months) Location: Nassau County, NY Backyard chickens are becoming increasingly popular pets in Nassau County and the outer boroughs of NYC. However, with urban farming comes urban predators. Raccoons, foxes, and even domestic dogs pose a significant threat to flocks. A 6-month-old hen was brought to Long Island Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic after a raccoon entered her coop overnight. She presented wit

Case Study #26: Ferret Wellness and Adrenal Disease Prevention Patient: Ferrets (Mixed Ages) Location: Long Island, NY Ferrets are among the most playful, inquisitive, and joyous pets a family can own. Ferrets are physiologically unique pets with medical needs that differ significantly from cats and dogs. They are also prone to a distinct group of common conditions known as the “Ferret Triad”: adrenal disease, insulinoma, and lymphoma. Recently, a dedicated owner from Long Is

Case Study #25: Caique Egg Binding (Medical Management) Patient:  White-Bellied Caique (Age 9) Location:  Brooklyn, NY Not every emergency requires surgery. In some cases, with the right medical support and husbandry, the body can resolve the issue on its own. This was the case for a 9-year-old White-Bellied Caique from Brooklyn, NY, who presented with dystocia (egg binding). Caiques are high-energy clowns of the bird world, so when the patient became quiet and developed a sw

Case Study #24: Diagnosis and Management of Infectious Diseases in Cockatoos Patient: Umbrella Cockatoo (Age 4) Location: Nassau County, NY Feather plucking, or feather-destructive behavior, is one of the most frustrating and complex conditions in avian medicine. Many owners often worry that their bird is "bored" or "unhappy," but at Long Island Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic, we know that plucking often stems from an underlying medical condition. A 4-year-old Umbrella Cock

Case Study #23: Rabbit Liver Lobe Torsion Surgery Patient:  Rabbit (Age 7 months) Location:  Queens, NY Liver lobe torsion (LLT) is a serious and painful emergency seen in rabbits that requires urgent veterinary care. Treatment typically requires surgical intervention and aggressive supportive care to stabilize the patient and prevent further tissue damage, internal bleeding, and the release of toxins into the bloodstream. A 7-month-old rabbit from Queens, NY, presented to ou

Ferrets are famous for their curiosity. They explore the world with their mouths, often chewing on rubber, foam, or fabric. Unfortunately, this behavior puts them at high risk for Gastrointestinal (GI) Obstruction , a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate surgical intervention. "R" a young 1-year-old male ferret from Long Island, NY , was rushed to Long Island Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic  after his owners noticed he appeared lethargic and was vomiting. Their

When most people think of "bird vets," they imagine parrots like Macaws or Cockatoos. However, the world of avian medicine is vast, and Softbills —such as Toucans and Aracaris—require a completely different set of medical and dietary protocols. Recently, "T," a stunning 1-year-old Curl-Crested Aracari from Long Island, NY , visited Long Island Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic  for a routine wellness examination. While "routine" might sound simple, for exotic species, a wellne

Rats are incredibly intelligent and affectionate pets, but they are unfortunately prone to tumors. One of the most devastating conditions in older rats is a Pituitary Macroadenoma —a tumor at the base of the brain. "W," a senior rat (2 years and 4 months old) from Manhattan, NY , presented to Long Island Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic  with alarming neurological signs. Given the broad range of conditions that can cause these neurologic signs, CT imaging allowed us to accura

Blue-Tongue Skinks are robust, friendly reptiles that make excellent pets. However, like all reptiles, they are prone to shedding issues (dysecdysis) if humidity levels are not perfect. When old skin wraps tightly around toes or the tail tip, it cuts off blood circulation, leading to a condition called avascular necrosis . R A 10-year-old male Blue-Tongue Skink from Long Island, NY , presented to our clinic with swelling in his front foot. A closer look revealed a much more s

Case Study #18: Conure Wing Amputation (Soft Tissue Sarcoma) Species: Green-Cheeked Conure (Age 6) From: Brooklyn, NY Finding a lump on your pet is a moment of dread for any owner. When the patient is a bird, the situation is even more complex, as avian tumors can be aggressive and difficult to remove. The patient, a 6-year-old female Green-Cheeked Conure from Brooklyn, NY , presented to Long Island Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic  with a soft tissue mass located over the pa

Case Study #17: Chameleon Burn Care and Spay Surgery Species: Veiled Chameleon (Age 1) From: Queens, NY Keeping a chameleon healthy requires a precise balance of humidity, temperature, and nutrition. When that balance is off, even slightly, serious medical issues can arise. One common issue we see in reptiles involves thermal burns from heat lamps, and yet, a traumatic injury like a burn can uncover an underlying systemic problem. The patient, a 1-year-old female Veiled Chame

Rabbit Facial Abscess and Severe Dental Disease Treatment for Long Island Patient at Long Island Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic Rabbits have a remarkable ability to hide when something is wrong. As prey animals, they naturally conceal signs of pain or illness, and this tendency makes dental disease both common and risky if left unnoticed. What often looks like a small eye issue or a minor swelling on the cheek can actually be the tip of an iceberg, hiding a serious infectio