EXOTIC ANIMAL MEDICINE

The term "exotic" when referring to animals evokes images of strange or unusual species, such as chameleons or panthers, so when applied to animals kept as pets in our homes, such as guinea pigs or canaries, it can be misleading. This term also includes animals that are not exotic to us at all, such as rabbits or ferrets, which are native to Europe and have been bred in Italy for millennia.

This word actually has several exceptions. The term "exotic" is correctly applied to non-native species in Italy, such as parrots and many species of turtles, for example, but it also includes species like rabbits, which do not fall under the classical definition of companion animals (such as dogs and cats).

Its use is further reinforced by Anglo-Saxon veterinary medicine, in which even rabbits and ferrets are truly "exotic," as they are not native. All these "non-conventional" animals in veterinary medicine texts are commonly referred to as exotic animals.

Exotic or non-conventional animals are now a widespread reality. Their management and care require specific expertise. Often, the pathologies detected are caused or exacerbated by management errors, feeding, maintenance, etc... That's why it's better to schedule an appointment before acquiring a rabbit, ferret, reptile, or bird, so that we can discuss together all the fundamental aspects aimed at ensuring the best possible conditions for these particular animals.