Your exotic pet may not be able to let you know that he’s not feeling well, so you may wonder when you need to take him to the vet for a checkup. It is also normal for many clients to be unsure if a particular clinical sign is truly concerning or if it will just clear up on its own. In general, it’s best to just check with your Orlando exotic veterinarian if you’re unsure, but here are some common signs you should look out for.
Common Clinical Signs of the Disease
Vomiting and Diarrhea
These are very non-specific signs that can be caused by anything, from a serious condition to an upset stomach on a given day. If you notice vomiting happening once or twice, pay attention to it, but your pet may be fine.
The problem is if your pet is constantly vomiting or if it is experiencing diarrhea. These conditions can worsen, especially since diarrhea tends to lead to a significant loss of fluid and nutrients if left untreated.
weakness
This refers to any type of weakness related to standing, difficulty walking, staggering, or dragging their legs. These types of sudden pains can indicate something serious, such as a blood clot that you would otherwise not notice.
You may also notice tingling, which may indicate some type of muscle strain, bruise, or fracture. If your exotic pet continues to sneeze and you don’t see any physical issues with them, be sure to bring your pet in to see our veterinarians.
Drinking and Eating
This coin has two sides: drinking and eating too much or not at all. If your pet is suddenly drinking a lot of water, don’t just dismiss it as a sudden strange behavior. Keep an eye on them, make an appointment, and ask if your vet might need something like a urine sample to make sure there’s no underlying disease.
On the other hand, you may notice your pet not eating or drinking and may be pooping with it. Together, these signs can indicate a potential ingestion of poison or a foreign body, or possibly some dysfunction in their organs. Your pet needs to be seen as soon as possible.
Lumps or Swelling
Anytime you notice your exotic pet has lumps, swelling, or issues with its skin, it could be an indication of a more serious problem. Granted, it can also be bites or insect bites, but what you’re looking for here are any unusual lumps that you haven’t seen before.
In terms of swelling, check if your pet has a distended abdomen. It is likely to be accompanied by other symptoms such as difficulty eating or moving or even vomiting. If this is the case, your pet definitely needs immediate care.
Bad breath
Just like in humans, bad breath in animals can indicate that your pet has some dental problems. Specifically, they may have toothaches due to plaque and tartar buildup.
Your vet can help with this by either recommending a change in diet or cleaning their teeth and removing anything that is causing pain. It may seem like nothing if your pet has bad breath, but it could even indicate something more serious, like kidney issues, so it’s best to get it checked out.
Schedule a Checkup with Our Exotic Veterinarians
If you encounter the clinical signs mentioned above, be sure to schedule an examination with our exotic veterinarians. In general, be sure to monitor your exotic pet’s health closely so that you know if it exhibits any unusual behavior.
