You may not always be able to tell what your pet gecko is thinking, but there are many ways to know how he is feeling or how his general health is. Understanding your pet lizard is important as it will help you provide the best care, as well as keeping him happy. Lizards require a specific type of care, and making sure all his needs and more are met, you can guarantee yourself a happy little reptile friend! Dr. Bobby Ortiz,...
Wing clipping is a complex topic that is often asked of exotic veterinarians. Generally, it is not a long term treatment as flight training should be considered. It can be a controversial topic, and ultimately the decision falls with each individual bird owner. There are advantages and disadvantages to wing clipping, and it is something you should carefully think about and research on before making any commitment. Dr. Bobby Ortiz, M.V.B. Dr Bobby Ortiz, aka 'Dogtor Bob', is a small animal and...
It is important to understand the proper care and attention that goes into caring for breeding birds. Most pet owners won’t breed their pet birds, but if you decided to for whatever reason, it is essential that they are taken care of and handled properly. In this blog post, I will explain the best ways to take care of breeding birds, how to keep their environment clean, and caring for the hatchlings once they arrive.V Dr. Bobby Ortiz, M.V.B. Dr Bobby Ortiz, aka...
Your pet bird’s beak has many different important functions, such as eating, preening, grasping, climbing, self-defence, playing, touching, and communication. A heathy bird’s beak should never need trimming, but unfortunately, if your bird has experienced trauma, severe stress, malnutrition or serious illness, it can cause the beak to deform and overgrow. In this blog post, I will explain what can lead to beak trimming, signs of an unhealthy beak, and what to do if your bird’s beak needs trimming. Dr. Bobby Ortiz,...
It’s not always easy to tell what kind of mood your bird is in. Sometimes they can be cheerful and playful, and the next minute, moody and reclusive. If they are ill, they may be trying to hide any signs of this due to vulnerability in the wild, which can make it even more difficult for bird owners to tell how their pet is feeling. It is important to be able to tell if your bird is not only happy and...
Birds have been kept as pets for many years, and there are lots of different species to choose from. They are intelligent creatures; many species of bird can be trained to speak, or perform tricks, but like all pets, there certain illnesses or healthcare problems they are susceptible to. As a pet bird parent, it is important you understand what these health issues are to not only help treat them, but also prevent them Dr. Bobby Ortiz, M.V.B. Dr Bobby Ortiz, aka 'Dogtor...
Choosing the right diet for your pet bird is important due to the many medical problems they can encounter. Each species of bird will have its own nutritional requirements to ensure it can live a happy and healthy life. It is up to the bird owner to guarantee these dietary needs are satisfied. In this blog post, I will discuss the best foods to feed your pet birds, how each food should make up their diet, and what foods to avoid. Dr....
One of the most important things to do before you even bring home your new pet lizard to ensure they have a place to live. Lizards need adequate housing that meets their physical and emotional needs. You want your lizard to feel safe and comfortable, while also keeping their enclosure the correct temperature and humidity. In this blog post, I will explain how to house your lizard, why heating and lighting is important, and what to include in his enclosure. Dr. Bobby...
Reptiles have become increasingly popular as pets in the past number of years. Two of the most popular reptiles people enjoy keeping as pets are geckos and bearded dragons. Just like any other pet, these lizards can suffer from common health issues. It is important to understand what these issues are, how they are caused, and what can be done to prevent them to ensure your pet lizard lives a long, happy life (and many of them do). In this blog...
The Inland Bearded Dragon is the type of lizard most commonly kept as a pet. They are also known as Central Bearded Dragon. This dragon is very popular as they are docile and friendly, and make a great pet for children. To ensure your bearded dragon is kept happy and healthy, it is important he is fed a nutritious, balanced diet. Bearded dragons, or ‘beardies’ as they colloquially known, enjoy a variety off different foods. In this blog post, I will talk...
