Exotics Care at UC Davis Spans Many Species

The Companion Exotic Animal Medicine and Surgery Service at the UC Davis veterinary hospital provides wellness care, specialized diagnostic testing, medical treatments, surgical options, and emergency care for exotic companion animals.

Collaborative Care Leads to Successful Surgery Behind Rabbit’s Eye

Jill Harris of San Francisco has been a dedicated and experienced rabbit owner for more than 20 years, enjoying volunteering at rabbit rescues and creating fun names for her many rabbits over the years. When her rabbit Lady Alaia McBiggs, an 8-year-old female Flemish giant, experienced a bulging right eye, Harris immediately took her to their primary veterinarian. X-rays there proved inconclusive, so Lady Alaia McBiggs was referred to the Companion Exotic Animal Medicine and Surgery Service at the UC Davis veterinary hospital for more advanced imaging to discovery the cause of the bulge.

Bearded Dragon’s Oral Diseases Treated

Rex, a 5-year-old male bearded dragon, was brought to the UC Davis veterinary hospital following a period of inappetence, lethargy, and dehydration. His mouth appeared very unhealthy, and his owners were concerned that it was the primary cause of his lack of desire to eat and drink. They hoped that the veterinarians in the Companion Exotic Animal Medicine and Surgery Service could help.

Exotics Team Treats 61-Year-Old Tortoise

Mohave, a 61-year-old desert tortoise, was recently brought to the UC Davis veterinary hospital for a recurrence of bladder stones. Thanks to a minimally invasive procedure that saved his shell, and a UC Davis alumna connecting with her alma mater, Mohave is on the mend.

The Call of the Wild

Dr. Jackie Gai ’01 serves as the director of veterinary services for the Performing Animal Welfare Society and works with elephants, lions, tigers and bears. But she still has a soft spot for ducks.

Parrot’s Challenging Fungal Infection Successfully Treated

Ginger, an 8-year-old female eclectus parrot, was not feeling like herself a few months ago. Over the course of several days, her decreased appetite caused her to skip a meal of kiwi—her favorite fruit—and she no longer danced around her cage like normal. Her owners thought she was having trouble with egg binding, a condition she suffered from previously. As regular clients of the Companion Exotic Animal Medicine and Surgery Service at the UC Davis veterinary hospital, they brought Ginger in for an examination.