Getting a new pet

There is a lot of information regarding new pets, not all covered here. If you have any queries, however small, please contact the surgery and we will do our best to help.

Before getting a new pet please consider the following....

• Do you have the time to look after the animal?
• Do you have the space?
• Do you have the money?
• Do you know which breed or age is best for your lifestyle?
• How will the animal react with all members of the family, especially children?

If you are unsure about which pet to choose then please make an appointment to see a vet or nurse ( we have nurse clinics ) to discuss the matter. We have two vets and a nurse with extensive knowledge with exotic pets . All the vets and nurses can help you with discussions about dogs, cats and rabbits.

• Getting a dog
• Getting a cat
• Getting a rabbit
• Getting a hamster
• Getting a guinea pig
• Getting a rat
• Getting a bird
• Getting a gerbil
• Getting a reptile
• Getting a bearded dragon
• Getting a gecko
• Getting a corn snake
• Getting a tortoise
• Getting an budgerigar
• Getting an african grey parrot
• Getting a chicken

Do you have the time?

Puppies especially, but also kittens, need a lot of time and interaction, and not just when they are young. No dog should be left for more than 4 hours; this is big consideration when buying a puppy.Will your work or other commitments allow you to be home enough to keep your new pet entertained plus allow for training. Rabbits also need attention with respect to feeding and cleaning the hutch out; this applies to all caged animals. Children often want a “small furry” as a pet; these pets require daily attention.

Do you have space?

Puppies and kittens get bigger! It may seem an obvious thing to say but that cute fluff ball will grow up. You need to be sure that both your house and garden is big enough.

• Don’t have a large breed dog in a small house
• Too many cats in a house can lead to stress related problems.
• Rabbits should have a hutch and a run with a grass patch.
• Where will you put the bird or hamster cage?

Do you have the money?

The costs you should consider......

• Initial purchase
• Feeding costs
• Veterinary costs ( vaccination, defleaing,worming,microchip, neutering,illness,insurance)
• Collars,leads,baskets,toys and cages.
• Boarding fees when you go on holiday.

Do you know what breed or age is best for your lifestyle?

If you are away from home a lot then you need to think whether you should have a pet. All dogs like to go for walks; but some breeds , such as collies, need lots of exercise, which , of course, takes a lot of time.

Some breeds are not always suitable with young children. A young boisterous puppy or dog will probably not suit an elderly person. Consider rehoming a suitable mature dog.

How will the animal react with all members of the family, especially children?

Certain breeds are not always suitable with young children. As we all know, young children can be noisy and their actions can be unpredictable. Certain dogs will react to these actions by biting , as a means of protecting themselves. Please ask for advice if you are uncertain about what breed to get.

Dogs are pack animals and they respond to leadership. There can be problems if one adult is firm with a dog and another is not;many dogs will then dominate the weaker person. Dogs do need discipline, which does not mean smacking. They need leadership; otherwise they will dominate you.

Rabbits, both male and female, can be aggressive and this needs to be taken into account with young children. Neutering normally sorts this one out.

Getting a dog

Consider carefully where you get your dog from. If you want a specific breed, choose a recognised breeder and avoid puppy farms. Puppy farms are where large numbers of dogs are used to produce puppies, usually in insanitary conditions; often these dogs come with many medical problems, which will prove costly, both financially and emotionally.

Wherever you get your dog from, choose carefully.Make sure it is lively and has no discharge from its eyes or nose. The coat should be glossy and it should not have diarrhoea. Avoid the hunched up one because you feel sorry for it; it is probably a sickly pup.

If you choose to rehome a dog, find out why it is being rehomed and be wary of a dog that has been rehomed several times; it often means that there is some sort of problem.

Contact the surgery so you can bring you new dog for a check up where we can discuss its’ basic veterinary needs.

• Vaccinations
• Defleaing
• Worming
• Microchip
• Neutering
• Insurance
• Diet
   

Getting a cat

Care should be taken when choosing a cat. Make sure it is lively with clean eyes and nose, that it is  not sneezing excessively and that it does not have diarrhoea. Make sure it does not feel very thin. Cats can suffer from some viral diseases, such as Leukaemia and Feline Aids; there diseases are common in households where there are lots of cats. These diseases can be tested for, if you are concerned.

Remember that if you have a lot of cats then stress related problems can happen.

Contact the surgery so you can bring your cat for a check up where we can discuss its’ basic needs.

• Vaccinations 
• Defleaing
• Worming
• Neutering
• Insurance
• Diet 

Getting a rabbit

Rabbits make great pets but they need a lot of looking after. Our vets and nurses are on hand to give advice (ideally before buying your rabbit). Choose a rabbit that is lively, with clean eyes, nose and bottom.

There are many breeds of rabbit varying in size from dwarf to giant rabbits.

Make sure you have room for a hutch with a run including a grass patch.

Contact the surgery to make an appointment so that your new rabbit can be checked and vaccinated. We can then discuss the health aspects you should consider for your rabbit.

• Vaccinations
• Neutering
• Diet
• Insurance
• Common health problems in rabbits 
   

Getting a hamster

Hamsters are deservedly popular amongst both children and adults. They have the advantage of being most active in the evenings and night time and so may make a good pet for people who work during the day. They pass very little urine and so have little smell. They are naturally solitary animals, frequently attacking any other hamster they meet, and so are reliant upon you for all of their interaction. They are an extremely active animal and would walk for several miles each night in the wild and so need the use of an exercise wheel and large cage. When choosing your hamster make sure that you choose one with a clean bottom, eating well, passing normal solid faeces and with no discharge from the eyes or nose. Try to choose one that is interested in you rather than one that is frightened as this is the first step towards taming your hamster.

Usually golden or Syrian hamsters are more friendly than Russian hamsters.

Most hamsters will pick and choose which ingredients of their diet they prefer and so may receive a more balanced and complete diet from a pelletted food, supplemented with a small amount of healthy treats. They are prone to gaining too much weight so keep a close eye on this by weighing your hamster on digital scales weekly. This will also allow you to identify if they are losing weight which can be a sign of ill health. Remember fresh water should be provided daily.

Hamsters are no less complicated than any other animal and so can suffer from just as many medical problems. Recently we have treated a liver tumour in a hamster and spayed (hysterectomy) several hamsters with pyometra (infection of the uterus). This high level of care comes with an associated cost however and a hamster should not be thought of as a cheap pet. The same advice regarding insurance or saving for veterinary care does still apply.

Although popular with children hamsters can be prone to being injured or even biting and so may not make the ideal pet for some children. All children require daily adult supervision to ensure they are caring for the pet correctly.

If you would like a similar pet but one that will live with a companion consider a gerbil.

Getting a guinea pig

Guinea pigs make a wonderful pet for both children and adults and, in fact, vets Kate and Glenn and nurses Marie and Julia all have guinea pigs. They are much more sturdy and less prone to biting or kicking than rabbits or hamsters and so can make a much more handleable childrens pet.

Guinea pigs come from South America and live in large social groups and therefore prefer company when kept in captivity. Although most guinea pigs get on well with each other sometimes males will need castration to accept a companion or, of course, to prevent babies. Female guinea pigs can also be spayed either to prevent pregnancy or to treat the reproductive problems they are unfortunately prone to.

Guinea pigs can be kept inside or outside but if kept out of the house in winter will need a dry, warm shed or thick covers on the hutch. Guinea pigs will enjoy the use of a run to allow grazing in the garden. Guinea pigs can not make their own vitamin C and so require this to be provided by daily vegetables. Vitamin supplements can also be provided in food or water and many guinea pig foods contain vitamin C. This will however be ineffective unless the food is stored correctly and water must, of course, be changed daily.

When choosing a guinea pig choose one that is eating well, passing normal firm faeces, has no sign of dribbling or nasal or ocular discharge. Try to choose one that will let you pick it up. Think very carefully before choosing a long coated guinea pig. These usually require frequent trimming and bathing to prevent matting and accumulation of faeces or bedding within the coat. Guinea pigs can live for upto eleven years (although six to seven years is more normal) and so are a longterm commitment. You may wish to consider a rescue guinea pig and you may find an adult more placid and easy to handle.

Guinea pigs are no less complicated than any other pet and so can suffer from just as many medical problems. We try to offer the same standard of care to guinea pigs as we do to cats and dogs and frequently perform surgeries such as bladder stone removal or ovariohysterectomy. This high level of care comes with an associated cost however and a guinea pig should not be thought of as a cheap pet. The same advice regarding insurance or saving for veterinary care does still apply.

All children require daily adult supervision to ensure they are caring for their pet correctly. Having the guinea pig in the house can make this much easier.

Getting a rat

Rats are extremely intelligent animals and make very active and entertaining pets. They usually enjoy company and require a large and interesting cage.

Rats are prone to developing obesity, especially as they enjoy human food. We would suggest they are fed on a pelletted rat diet with a small amount of healthy treats and fresh water to drink. These can often be used to help train and tame your rat.

When choosing a rat choose one that is eating well, passing normal firm faeces, has no sign of dribbling or nasal or ocular discharge. Try to choose one that will let you pick it up. Rats can live for upto five years and so are a longterm commitment. You may wish to consider a rescue rat and you may find an adult more placid and easy to handle.

There are unfortunately a number of conditions that rats are particularly prone to, in addition to all of the same conditions as any other animal. These include hormone related mammary masses and chronic respiratory disease. These often require ongoing treatment and this has an associated financial cost. We try to offer the same standard of care to rats as we do to any other pet and so recommend either insurance or a savings account to plan for these costs.

Getting a bird

Parrots are extremely intelligent with African Grey parrots, for example, having the same intelligence as a 2 or 3 year old child. This means the decision to get one should be taken as seriously as having a child! If you don’t have time for a child you don’t have time for a parrot, perhaps a budgerigar or cockatiel would be more appropriate.

Many species of bird can carry disease without any outward signs. This includes Psittacosis which is a potentially life threatening condition and so we recommend that children, the elderly or infirm or pregnant women should not come into contact with birds. Please talk to your doctor if you are concerned about this.

Birds are very good at hiding signs of disease and so can seem to become very ill very quickly. If you are even slightly concerned about your pet’s health get him or her to a vets straight away.
 

Getting a gerbil

Gerbils are most fun when living in a group in a deep littered enclosure known as a gerbilarium. This allows them to show their natural burrowing behaviours.
When choosing your gerbils make sure that you choose animals with clean bottoms, eating well, passing normal solid faeces and with no discharge from the eyes or nose. Try to choose one that is interested in you rather than one that is frightened as this is the first step towards taming your gerbil.

Pelletted diets are available for gerbils and prevent the gerbil from picking and choosing just the tastier parts of the feed which makes for an unbalanced diet and an overweight gerbil! These can be supplemented with a range of healthy choices such as fruits and vegetables in small quantities and, of course, fresh water daily. Weigh them weekly to check for weight gain or loss which may be a sign of ill health or obesity.

Gerbils are no less complicated than any other pet and so can suffer from just as many medical problems. Recently we have treated a liver tumour in a hamster and successfully removed scent gland tumours from two gerbils. This high level of care comes with an associated cost however and a gerbil should not be thought of as a cheap pet. The same advice regarding insurance or saving for veterinary care does still apply.

Although popular with children gerbils can be prone to being injured or even biting and so may not make the ideal pet for some children. All children require daily adult supervision to ensure they are caring for the pet correctly.

If you would like a pet similar to a gerbil but that likes to live alone consider a hamster.

Getting a reptile

Reptiles are becoming increasingly popular as pets but are unfortunately not the low maintenance option that many people believe them to be. The initial financial outlay is usually extremely high and there are substantial ongoing costs too. If you are thinking about getting a reptile why not make a free nurse appointment to find out which species would be best for you?

One important factor to consider when getting a reptile is that they can carry several diseases that can be spread to humans. They can be present without any outward sign of ill health. The most commonly recognized of these is salmonella which can cause serious illness, usually with food-poisoning type symptoms. It is vital that strict hygiene precautions are observed to prevent contracting salmonella. If you have specific concerns you should consult your doctor before getting a reptile or other pet.
 

Getting a bearded dragon

Bearded dragons make one of the most rewarding and interactive pets. There are several common pitfalls however and so we recommend making a nurse appointment with Jo, our exotics nurse, before purchasing your pet to ensure that everything runs smoothly and you make the right choices for you and your pet. Once you have purchased you pet we then recommend a check up with a vet to make sure that there are no pre-existing problems that need to be addressed.

Bearded dragons come from Australia and require very specialist equipment to try to replicate the conditions they need to thrive. This equipment will cost several times what the dragon costs and there will be substantial ongoing costs such as electricity and replacement UV bulbs every 6 months. They can live for upto 12 years and so this is a very longterm commitment.

The diet of bearded dragons changes significantly as they grow up and one of the most common problems that we see is when owners do not make the appropriate changes to the diet offered. Please make a nurse appointment if you would like to discuss your bearded dragon’s diet and husbandry as there is far too much information to cover it thoroughly here but if your bearded dragon is not predominantly vegetable eating by the age of 18 months then the diet needs correction urgently.

Bearded dragons should have faecal samples checked every 6 months for parasites as they are particularly prone to these in captivity. The cost of this is included in the cost of the annual health check and usually can be carried out while you wait if you bring a sample along to your appointment.

Veterinary medicine is progressing extremely rapidly in the field of reptile medicine and there is an ever increasing range of treatments available. All of these will work best if started as soon as possible so do not delay bringing your pet in if you notice any reduction in appetite, weight loss or other worrying signs. This treatment does have a financial cost however and insurance is available for bearded dragons.

Getting a gecko

There are many types of gecko, each with their own individual requirements and it is important to thoroughly research your pet’s requirements before you acquire him or her. To help you do this we offer free nurse consultations to allow you to evaluate whether this is the right pet for you.

Most geckos do not like to be handled but they do make fascinating pets to watch. Most species commonly kept in captivity are predominantly insectivorous and so if you are frightened of creepy crawlies these are not the right pet for you!

When choosing a gecko check that it has been shedding well by examining the tips of the fingers. Missing tips usually mean that the gecko has had trouble shedding in the past. The eyes should be bright and clean. It can be difficult to examine inside a geckos mouth for example and so, like all pets, it is a good idea to bring your new pet in for a vet check up when you first acquire him.

The oldest leopard gecko we have treated here was 14 years old and so you need to bear in mind how long you are going to be able to meet your pet’s specialist needs. Some people do not think this far ahead and have to give up their pets later so consider getting a gecko from a rescue centre.
 

Getting a corn snake

Corn snakes are a good first snake as they are usually placid and eat well in captivity. They come in a huge range of colours and can grow to several feet in length. In captivity they are normally fed on dead mice and rats and so if you are squeamish this may not be the right pet for you.

Snakes are very intelligent animals and so, like all pets, it is unfair to keep them in a small or boring enclosure. As it is illegal in the UK to feed live prey you need to make sure that your snake is receiving other physical and mental stimulation to prevent behavioural problems or obesity.

Female cornsnakes can produce eggs even without being exposed to a male and we occasionally have to use drugs or surgery to help them with reproductive problems. As well as reproductive problems they can suffer from a range of other medical conditions, including viral conditions that can remain dormant for several months to years. This means that you need to plan ahead for unexpected costs.
 

Getting a tortoise

We have hundreds of tortoises registered at Sandhole and regularly run open afternoons to highlight particular aspects of their care and husbandry. Tortoises are undergoing a surge in their popularity and an increasing range of species are being kept in captivity. It is very important that you know what type of tortoise you are planning to get or even have already got so that you can meet their special requirements. This usually means both indoor and outdoor enclosures.

As animals age their needs change and so the care that you have been giving your tortoise in the past may no longer be the most appropriate. In addition to this our knowledge about tortoises is increasing at an extremely rapid rate. Why not make a free nurse appointment to make sure that you are up to date? We provide a free 24 page booklet from the tortoise trust with each consultation to help you to implement any necessary improvements.

Some tortoise species are endangered and so should only have ownership transferred with the appropriate paperwork. Check that you have this when you purchase a new pet to help prevent the illegal import of endangered species.

We do not recommend that you buy a tortoise on the internet. As well as it being extremely cruel to transport a tortoise in the post they frequently get lost. The longest we have had reported to us was a baby tortoise that had been missing for over 12 weeks. This could have easily resulted in her death.

The best place to buy a tortoise is direct from the breeder or a rescue centre. There are several breeders locally who are registered. It is important not to mix different species of tortoise, not only because of their different husbandry needs, but because of the risk of disease transmission including mycoplasma and herpes virus.

If you are planning to get a tortoise why not make a nurse appointment with Jo to ensure that you are fully prepared for your new pet followed by a vet examination of your pet. We recommend pre and post hibernation check ups with a vet who will also check a faecal sample for parasites. This is a much safer and more effective option that repeated potentially unnecessary worming.

As our knowledge about tortoises grows so does the range of treatment we can offer you. We frequently see tortoises with pneumonia which can take weeks or even months to resolve and are also able to undertake anaesthesia and surgery such as ovariectomy or shell repair. Remember to plan ahead for these costs which can be very substantial, particularly as tortoises tend to get better slowly.

Getting a budgerigar

Budgerigars are flock birds and so are extremely sociable and friendly and often make better and happier pets than the larger birds. Many budgies speak well and love human company as well as that of other budgies.

In the wild budgies would fly several miles each day in search of food. This means that they should have the opportunity to fly in captivity too, but remember to shut the curtains to prevent collisions! It also means that they can be quite greedy and frequently become overweight. This puts them at risk of fat-based tumours called xanthomas. We therefore recommend that you try to offer your budgie as wide a range of food as possible, and ideally a pelletted diet. Budgies love to eat seeding grasses from the garden so why not grow some either in the garden or in a window box. We offer free bird nutrition consultations with Jo, our exotics nurse, so why not come in and chat to her about your bird’s diet or any other worries you may have

Budgies do everything quickly, including becoming sick, so if you notice your budgie has diarrhoea, is losing weight, has stopped eating, has a wet face or is even slightly unwell then please bring him in to see us straight away. We have removed several tumours, fixed broken legs and Kate has undertaken specific further training with budgies so should be able to help you if your budgie becomes unwell. This includes offering a boarding service to medicate your bird while he is unwell if you are unable to do so yourself.

Getting an African Grey Parrot

As we have said above an African Grey is as intelligent as a 2 or 3 year old child and this means they require almost constant interaction and entertainment. They will often bond very strongly to one person, at the exclusion of others, so try to think about what would happen if you went on holiday or were unable to care for your bird for a time and factor this into your decision to get one. Unfortunately many people do find that they are unable to cope with their African grey and they are handed into rescue centres in large numbers. Recent studies have shown that behavioural problems are actually more common in hand-reared birds and so this is no guarantee that your bird will be easy to look after. Please look at the website for the National parrot sanctuary at Lincoln for further advice before taking on an African Grey or if you need to rehome one.

African greys would naturally live at the top of leafless branches exposed to the full strength of the African sun. This means that they have evolved to need high levels of vitamin d to allow them to absorb and use dietary calcium. Vitamin d is made by the action of UV light on the skin and this can be mimicked by the use of a bird lamp in captivity. Unfortunately glass filters out UV and so placing the cage next to a window does nothing to improve the vitamin d levels, although your parrot may enjoy the view. In good weather you may wish to have an aviary outside, take the cage outside or even train your bird to come back to your call to allow him to fly around the garden. It is important that you are certain he will come back however! There are several books available to help you train your bird to do this.

We do not recommend wing clipping as it has been found to dramatically increase the risk of feather plucking as well as being unreliable in preventing escape. If you would like to discuss this, and the many alternatives, please do make an appointment.

The commonly seen seed based diets sold in pets shops as parrot foods are unfortunately completely unsuitable for African greys, even those sold as being specifically for this species. They are not solely seed- eaters in the wild and even if supplemented with fruits and vegetables a seed diet has 32 different nutritional components lacking in it. 90% of illness in pet birds is diet related and poor nutrition is the leading cause of death in pet birds. Because of this we strongly advise that parrots are fed on a pellet based diet and we particularly recommend Harrisons bird food which was developed by a leading avian vet. We have several tips to help you to successfully change your parrot onto a healthier diet so why not book a free nurse consultation with Jo to discuss it. Follow up consultations are free too and almost all birds can be easily and happily converted.

Getting a chicken

Chickens make great pets and have the added advantage of providing fresh eggs. They are one of the most sociable and fun birds and make a great alternative to a parrot or more conventional pet.

Chickens are normally purchased as ‘point-of-lay’ pullets and we would recommend that they have already been vaccinated against salmonella and coccidiosis before purchase. As they are usually kept as free-range birds they can pick up parasites and so we recommend either regular worming or faecal sample checks to make sure that they are not affected. We have seen gape worm cause fits in a cockerel which reinforces that this is an important aspect of preventative health care. We can provide Flubenvet which is a licensed broad-spectrum wormer designed for pet poultry but as it is a prescription product we do need to check over your chickens first as a legal requirement.

Rescue battery hens are also available through charities and we would recommend that these, like any other chicken, receive a vet check to identify any pre-existing health problems when you first acquire them.

Domestic chickens have been specifically bred to produce far more eggs than their wild cousins and so require a diet of high nutritional value. A commercial diet appropriate to their age such as layers pellets or chick crumbs should make up the majority of their diet with treats such as corn, table scraps and vegetables being no more than 10%.

Many people love their chicken just as much as their cat or dog and so we offer the same standard of care that we do to any pet. We have speyed a chicken, performed crop surgery and several orthopedic procedures including amputating a wing from a chick. Unfortunately the costs are therefore the same as for any other pet so remember to plan how you would meet these.