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@ Services > Hospital Services
Hospital Services
Our exotic animal team strives to provide the highest standards of animal care and treatment from budgerigars to bison by offering both hospital and field services. The hospital service is based at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Athens, and animals are seen by appointment only. All animals must be transported in suitably safe and secure cages. For potentially dangerous species (e.g. primates, carnivores, and venomous reptiles) please consult with faculty before making an appointment. The hospital provides state of the art capabilities in diagnostic imaging, including MRI, CT scanning, nuclear scintigraphy, radiography, ultrasonography, and endoscopy.
Among the advanced therapeutic modalities employed are radioisotope therapy, laser surgery, and minimally invasive endosurgical techniques, such as endoscopic sterilization. We have access to the most modern and safe anesthetic agents including sevoflurane, and regularly utilize minimally-invasive microsurgery or endoscopic surgery. In addition, we have dedicated hospitalization facilities for birds, reptiles, mammals, small primates, and fish. For larger carnivores and herbivores we liaise with our large animal colleagues to hospitalize in the large animal hospital areas, although we usually require that you bring the animal in a cage suitable for holding for 24 hours. If you are interested in bringing an exotic animal to the hospital please ask your local veterinarian to arrange a referral if you have one. The exotic/wildlife/zoo appointment desk is available at (706) 542-2895/3221.
We are also happy to see wildlife cases where our budget allows. If you have an injured wildlife case, please contact the hospital to arrange a drop-off time, and complete a wildlife submission form (also available at reception). Our wildlife budget is always stretched very thin, and we are always grateful for donations. Healthy orphaned wildlife cannot be accepted and should be taken to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator (details are available from the Department of Natural Resources, tel (770) 918-6400.
It is important to arrive 15-20 minutes before you allotted appointment to complete a detailed husbandry questionnaire that is instrumental in diagnosis and treatment. These are provided by the receptionist upon arrival or can be downloaded, completed at home, and brought with you.
As a teaching hospital responsible for training the veterinarians of the future, your first contact will be with a veterinary student. All the veterinary students on the exotic animal rotation have been trained in exotic animal medicine. Students take a detailed history before the faculty and student(s) perform an examination. For some exotic animals it is far safer and less stressful to perform the examination under sedation or anesthesia. Primates, carnivores, fish, and other potentially dangerous species are generally anesthetized for a complete examination. Typically, a medical investigation includes baseline blood tests and survey diagnostic imaging (radiography, ultrasonography, and endoscopy); however, more detailed tests and procedures are often required as we focus in on an animal's problem. Surgery may be carried out in either the small animal or large animal operating rooms depending upon the size of the patient. Our team of anesthesiologists and surgeons are always available and ready for action. While conventional surgical techniques are still commonly performed, advanced microsurgery, and endoscopic surgery are increasingly performed.
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