The staff at Dixie Trail Animal Clinic has experience with many different species of pocket pets. These animals are very popular with families and many get along great with other animals.
Rodents, guinea pigs
For their regular veterinary care, see our recommendations below:
Ferrets:
- Annual physical
- Distemper vaccine once a year
- Rabies vaccine once a year
- Heartworm prevention year-round
- Microchipping
- Biannual blood tests
- Geriatric Blood Panel (for ferrets over 4 years of age)
Rats and Rodents:
Guinea Pigs:
- Annual Physical
- Annual Oral Exam
- Geriatric Blood Panel (for guinea pigs over 4 years of age)
Rabbits:
- Annual physical
- Fecal exam once a year
- Dental exam once a year
- Spay / castration between 4 and 6 months
- Geriatric Blood Panel (for rabbits over 5 years of age)
For more information about rabbits, visit the House Rabbit Society.
Rabbit Tips
Rabbits housed out of doors in North Carolina will do fine through the winter provided they have access to a solid wall shelter (Nest Box) lined with hay or straw, plenty of good quality food (grass hay, leafy veggies, a little fruit, +/- pellets).
Fresh water should be available at all times and should be checked at least twice a day for freezing. Rabbits should never be housed directly on the ground due to a tissue migrating fly larvae called Cuterebra.