July Newsletter: Do Pocket Pets Need Regular Exams?

Chubby rat wears little birthday hat.

Do Pocket Pets Need Regular Exams?

Is an appointment with the veterinarian on your pocket pet's calendar this year? All pets, regardless of their size, need to see the veterinarian at least once a year.

The Benefits of Veterinary Care

Called pocket pets because they're so small they could fit in a pocket, these cute pets may appear on the outside to be fairly self-sufficient. Whether you have a guinea pig, hamster, gerbil, rabbit, chinchilla, hedgehogs, sugar glider, mouse, or rat, your pet needs more than just food, water, and a clean cage. Regular veterinary care is a must. Without it, your pet may suffer unnecessarily if it develops an injury or illness. Benefits of regular veterinary visits include:

  • Prompt Treatment for Illnesses. Although it's true that pocket pets have shorter lifespans than dogs and cats, many of them die too soon because they don't receive veterinary treatment when they first become ill. It's not always easy to tell that your pet is sick, as pocket pets may hide signs of illness. Regular exams help your pet's veterinarian spot potential or current health issues and offer treatments that will improve your little friend's health.
  • Diagnosis of Common Health Problems. Pocket pets, depending on their type, are prone to developing several serious or chronic health issues. Rabbits are more likely to develop respiratory tract infections, while a vitamin C deficiency can cause a health problem similar to scurvy in guinea pigs. During annual exams, your veterinarian checks for signs of the diseases or illnesses common in your type of pocket pet.
  • Dental Care. The teeth of rabbits, guinea pigs, gerbils, hamsters, rats, and mice never stop growing. Chewing on leafy greens, hay, untreated wood, and chew toys usually prevents tooth overgrowth. Unfortunately, sometimes teeth grow too long even if you provide ample chewing opportunities for your pet. Overgrown teeth make it harder to eat and may damage your pet's mouth. If overgrowth is a problem, your pocket pet's veterinarian can trim its teeth during an annual visit. During the exam, he or she will also check for dental abscesses, broken teeth and other dental issues that could affect your pocket pet's health and wellbeing.
  • Advice and Recommendations. Annual exams are the perfect time to ask your pet's veterinarian questions about diet, behavior, cages, bedding, health conditions, and other questions about pocket pet care. Thinking about bringing home a friend for your pet? Although some animals just want to be alone, others thrive with cage-mates. Your veterinarian can help you decide if it's a good idea to add another hamster, gerbils, rabbit, mouse, guinea pig, or other pocket pet to your situation.

How to Tell if Your Pocket Pet Is Hurt or Unwell

It's not always easy to tell that a pocket problem is injured or sick. These signs could indicate that your pet needs to see the veterinarian:

  • Diarrhea. Diarrhea can be serious in pocket pets, as their small size increases the risk of dehydration or even death. Diarrhea could be related to diet or might be a sign of a more serious problem, like wet tail in hamsters. This bacterial infection is the most common cause of hamster death, according to a research study by the Royal Veterinary College.
  • Appearance Changes. Is your pocket pet losing weight or hair? Have you noticed lumps or swelling or other changes? Does your pet have trouble walking? Any change in appearance is a cause for concern. The American Animal Hospital Association recommends checking your pet for lumps and bumps at least once a week.
  • Injuries. Cuts, swollen limbs, torn skin on tails, and other injuries also require a trip to the veterinarian. Treating injuries promptly reduces the risk of infection that could threaten your pocket pet's health.
  • Breathing Issues. Call your pet's veterinarian right away if it's struggling to breathe. Signs of breathing difficulties could include squeaking sounds, wheezing, or breathing with the mouth open.
  • Behavioral Changes. Is your pocket pet not quite as energetic as usual? Does it spend most of its time in its hideout? Just like you, your pet may not feel like playing or socializing when it doesn't feel well.

Has your pocket pet seen the veterinarian lately? Contact our office to schedule an appointment.

Sources:

American Animal Hospital Association: Is a Pocket Pet Right for Me?

https://www.aaha.org/your-pet/pet-owner-education/ask-aaha/is-a-pocket-pet-right-for-you/

Merck Manual: Disorders and Diseases of Guinea Pigs, 10/2022

https://www.merckvetmanual.com/all-other-pets/guinea-pigs/disorders-and-diseases-of-guinea-pigs

PetMD: Gerbil Care Sheet, 3/21/2023

https://www.petmd.com/exotic/gerbil-care-sheet

Royal Veterinary College: Largest Study Reveals Most Common Disorders and Lifespan of Pet Hamsters in the UK, 6/23/2022

https://www.rvc.ac.uk/vetcompass/news/largest-study-reveals-most-common-disorders-and-lifespan-of-pet-hamsters-in-the-uk

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Feedback from our clients

  • "Words can not begin to express our gratitude for the care you had given Hunter over the years. When his time came, he watched for you to come through the door and his tail showed his affection towards you. That was most comforting having you there. Thank you.""
    ~R.H
  • ""Thank you so much for taking care of Maggie over the years. Y'all are the best and Dr. Johnson, you are the best vet in the world! God bless you all.""
    ~ J.D.
  • ""Your care for my beloved Mattie these last 10n years made her life, and mine much better….God bless each of you for all you did for us and I'm sure for all your other two and four legged patients.""
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  • ""A sincere thank you for taking such good care of Dulce. We are so thrilled that she is back to her normal self. You gave her the support and care she needed in her darkest hours and kept us confident in her recovery.""
  • ""Just to say how much we appreciate all of you. You all are wonderful people. We feel blessed to have our beloved furry children in your care when they need it. Your professional knowledge and your acts of kindness have a beautiful act all it's own. You are a great vet, compassionate and everything good all in one. You are in our daily prayers.""
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  • ""Thank you and all of your staff for the excellent care you gave to my wonderful Abbey, who was so much a part of the family. Thank you for all the advice and support you gave to me these last few months. I don't know how I would have gotten through this without your constant support. I will, and I have highly recommended you to family and friends, as I feel you are the best!""
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  • ""Thank you for taking care of my kitty, Slingshot. He is feeling better and better. My Paw-Paw said that you took extra special care of him and I really appreciate it. So, thank you again for taking care of my cat.""
    ~T.B. (age 6)
  • ""Dr. Johnson, I don't know why you decided to move here from your home in New Jersey, but I absolutely believe it was so you could help me and Mickey. I know coming to someone's home is not what a typical veterinarian would do, but you are obviously an extraordinary man in a world filled with ordinary men….On top of that, your sensitive and wonderful handwritten note arrived and touched my heart…You are one of those quiet, unheralded champions who make life easier for everyone you touch.""
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  • ""Thank you for all of your support for Maxine during her illness. All was very much appreciated and will always be remembered. I have related to all my friends of what a great doctor and staff at Birdneck Animal Hospital.""
    ~O.B.
  • ""Thank you for taking such good care of me over the last 4 years. I am doing well and both legs and feet feel great. You sis an awesome job on me Dr. Johnson, and I'm gonna have a great year this year and I hope to see you only for my check up. You guys are the best!""
    ~Budkus
  • "We can't thank you enough for the wonderful and loving care you gave to"Budkus" while he was in your care. He was so little and so sick and we were so scared for him. Each and every one of the staff members made us feel like we had the only dog in the world. Like nothing else mattered except getting "Budkus" well again. Our deepest gratitude to all of you for the excellent care and attention we received, for your encouragement, comfort, and understanding, and most importantly for saving his life! Thank you so much.""
    ~ J.,B.,C.