RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – How are exotic animals assisted in veterinary clinics and what care do they require?
From the delicate hummingbird, to the iguana, turtle, snake, alligator and even an anteater; the VET universe, a segment of consultations, veterinary imaging exams and medicines, is undergoing a boom period.
According to data, in the last few months, amid the pandemic, the sector grew by approximately 35%.
Veterinary neurologist and neurosurgeon Dr. Alex Adeodato says that many of these animals are treated similarly to dogs, cats and birds, but in an imaging center, which has partnerships with FIOCRUZ, TAMAR and other more exotic rescues, the care for other species with various particularities has become a reality.
“Once a very nice lady came in with a tortoise, Magali. The funny part was that the animal was dressed in a knit skirt made by her owner, who loved crafts. We were all intrigued by the skirt, but we thought it was beautiful. One of the doctors attending, who is from the countryside, was the only one who was not surprised with the outfit, as she also made clothes for her chickens at home, and thought it was quite normal. Magali (a tortoise) had an egg stuck in her cloaca and presented a slight pneumonia, underwent some tests, was medicated and was well soon thereafter – always well dressed,” Alex Adeodato says.
“Today it’s possible to find veterinarians specialized in several areas of imaging diagnosis, in addition to a highly qualified team of anesthesiologists, cardiologists, and neurologists who provide support to the several case discussions and diagnoses,” says the veterinarian, who runs CRV Imagem, a clinic with equipment to care for these animals.
Source: Veja Rio