Through the years I have come across numerous individuals wanting to set themselves apart from the rest of the world. There are a variety of ways to accomplish distinguishing one’s self. Some have done it via their education. Others have taken on challenging projects. Then there are those who have become political leaders. There are numerous other venues people have chosen to express their individuality. As a veterinarian, one of the more difficult situations I find myself having to work with occurs when someone wants to express their uniqueness via having an exotic pet.
Exotic animals typically enter the seeker’s hands via one of three ways. They can be wild animals. Some are captured, tethered, and confined to a cage, while others are raised in captivity to be sold (sometimes via the black-market). There are aquatic species, fish, crustaceans, turtles and the like originating in tropical climates. We also see various types of birds: common finches, parakeets and other varieties found in pet stores. Then there are those that are a little more unusual: parrots, falcons, and birds of prey. Let me be clear on the following point: Frequently these animals are being distributed, then kept by their new owners, in violation of local, state, and federal laws. The intent of these laws is to not only protect citizens. They are also in place for the benefit of the animals.
Rarely do owners of exotics have a complete understanding of the exact nutritional needs of their pride and joy. The best example I am able to provide is that of the person with a Big Cat, typically some type of tiger. They know, from watching the National Geographic channel, big cats are carnivores i.e. meat eaters. In an effort to provide the cat’s perceived nutritional needs, they give it a steady diet of hamburger. Lo and behold, the big cat becomes feeble so the owner increases the quality of meat to ground chuck and the cat gets weaker. This leads to nothing but the finest steak! The cat becomes so weak it is barely able to walk. Finally the counsel of a veterinarian is sought. An x-ray of the big cat’s skeleton says it all. The bones have been de-mineralized! To explain, meat is very high in phosphorus and relatively low in calcium. The big cat’s body took calcium from the bones to help balance the phosphorus intake. In some instances every long bone in the cat’s body can be on the verge of being fractured!
There are those who want to have a primate, chimpanzee, or monkey as a pet. This can be a huge problem. Unlike dogs and cats that become infected with an assortment of viral diseases specific to their species, primates harbor viruses that also infect humans! This means their handlers are at risk of contracting a variety of diseases, including AIDS-type retroviruses.
Most of these animals are not domesticated and are quite fearful. They express this fear via aggression. We see it as vicious biting or scratching. Bite wounds and scratches of this magnitude often require surgical repair. Owners, at the very least, may experience some sort of temporary work restriction. More serious injuries often result not only in a disability but also disfigurement!
All sorts of birds including hawks, eagles, falcons, parrots, macaws, toucans, and even pigeons are kept for a variety of reasons. Suffice it to say they too have special needs. Their dietary requirements can be vastly different. Caregivers must be quite knowledgeable to maintain these creatures in optimal health. Not only do owners need to know of their nutritional requirements they must also concern themselves with knowing about the various internal and external parasites that infect their particular species of bird. Using the wrong dose of an insecticide, or for that matter, an insecticide that is inappropriate for a particular type of bird can be lethal!
Having these animals cared for on a professional level requires specialized training. Veterinarians who want to pursue caring for exotics take courses pertaining to the particular needs of each species. This training occurs after they have completed their basic veterinary degree. Most people think the needs of birds of prey are significantly different than those of a snake - are they? What about those of a big horn sheep, a ruminant versus a bobcat, a monogastric? Maybe you’d like to keep a cute little hedgehog or a sugar glider as a pet. What are their dietary and housing requirements?
All of my comments thus far have pertained to the needs of the animals - what would you expect from a veterinarian? I firmly believe prospective owners of these types of creatures should know the considerable liability that inherently accompanies keeping them.
The list of animals one may choose as a pet is endless! However, the difficulties you may encounter, as an owner of such a creature can be immense! My advice is simple. Leave the exotics for those who have had the proper training and know how to care for these animals. If you need an exotic animal fix, go to the zoo or visit a wildlife preserve.
