Links to veterinary maps are found on our Vet Locator page. If you cannot find a veterinarian within the species organizations given, you have two options:

First, you can call your local clinics and ask if they will see your species.

Second, you can look for veterinarians through the other exotics maps provided below, many exotic veterinarians have interests and backgrounds in more than one animal type.  

A veterinarian is trained to identify health abnormalities and treat them. Veterinarians use tools to identify infectious organisms like bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Veterinarians also use X-rays and ultrasounds to identify internal problems, like fractures, foreign bodies, and some cancers. Veterinarians can help establish quarantine requirements to keep you and your other pets safe. Last but not least, veterinarians have access to strong pain medications and other drugs, backed with the knowledge to reduce unwanted side effects and toxicities. 

Veterinarians in the US are legally allowed to diagnose and treat any animal species in the state(s) they are licensed in. Ask your local veterinarian (1) if they are comfortable seeing your species (2) what experience they have with your species and (3) if there are experts in your area BEFORE adopting an exotic animal.

Please ensure an exotic animal veterinarian is in your area BEFORE purchasing, rescuing, or adopting an exotic animal.

If purchasing an animal, you can ask the breeder or seller for a pre-purchase exam to ensure the health of the animal you buy. This veterinarian is paid for by the buyer and is not under obligation to give any information to the seller unless approved by the buyer. You can also have a veterinarian perform an exam as soon as the animal enters your possession, even if the animal shows no signs of disease. This allows the veterinarian to rule down disease before your pet becomes clinically ill from the disease they may have, guide your quarantine protocols, and establish a baseline of health. This baseline can save valuable time during emergencies. Once your vet meets your pet, they will let you know how often it should receive a check-up and screening tests.

The frequency of wellness exams (or annual health exams) varies by species, but a general recommendation is that even healthy animals see the doctor once a year.

(1) Virtual exotics veterinarians are available. You can book a virtual appointment with Dr. Byrd using our Contact page. 

(2) You can ask if the hospital would be willing to collaborate with an exotics vet and provide diagnostics (like X-rays, fecal tests, or bloodwork). 

(3) Check the vet maps on our Vet Locator page. Check multiple. Exotics vets generally see more than one class of exotic animal EVEN if they are only members of one exotic vet organization (so an AAV vet will generally have more experience with reptiles than a non-exotics vet). Example: If you can’t find a local AEMV member for your ferret try searching through the AAV or ARAV maps.