Exotic and Unusual Pet Care

Dr Amanda graduated from the University of Sydney in 2006. She began working in the Illawarra for 4 years before heading off to the UK and Ireland. Amanda worked as a small animal vet throughout the UK and spent a lot of time honing her skills with Exotic pets, as this is her main passion.

After returning home to Australia Amanda joined our team in March 2014. Whether your companion has scales, fur, feathers or floppy ears Amanda has the skills and knowledge to take good care of them. If you would like to see Amanda please contact us to arrange an appointment.

Types of exotic pets that Amanda will see

Reptiles: Snakes, lizards and turtles
Amphibians: Frogs
Birds: Caged, aviary, and backyard poultry (chickens, ducks and fowls)
Small Mammals: Mice, rats, guinea pigs, ferrets and rabbits

Common conditions that Amanda sees

Reptiles

Infections of the scales, mouth, respiratory system, ears and eyes
Injuries: Bite wounds and pressure sores
Reproductive issues: Egg retention and egg binding

Amphibian

Infections of skin and respiratory system, weight loss and injuries

Birds

Parasites inside and out, sour crop, egg yolk peritonitis, egg binding, egg retention, wounds, respiratory infections, behavioral issues, tumors, beak and nail overgrowth

Small Mammals

Dental disease, gut stasis, gut infections, parasites, wounds, broken bones, tumors, difficulty with birthing young, weight loss, eye diseases

What to look for if your pet is unwell

Reptiles

Some reptiles may have issues with their skin not coming off properly when shedding. Other symptoms to watch out for include a loss of appetite, bad smell, excessive yawning, noisy breathing, colour changes in scales, difficulty moving and any lumps or bumps.

Amphibians

Some amphibians may experience changes in skin colour, difficulty moving, open mouth breathing, bones showing through skin, difficulty eating and/or loss of appetite.

Birds

In birds you may see them becoming less social with people in the house and other birds. Other indications that may indicate your bird is unwell include sitting on the bottom of the cage/aviary when they would normally perch, lumps, changes in the colour/consistency/frequency of droppings, sneezing a lot, sitting fluffed up, not eating as much as they usually would and a dirty bottom.

Small mammals

Symptoms to look out for if your pocket pet is unwell include wet/crusty eyes or nose, fur loss, open mouth breathing, lethargy, a loss of appetite, sneezing, licking lips a lot and grinding teeth, lumps, odd shape to belly compared to how they usually look, drinking a lot more than usual, change to poop like diarrhea or not very many being produced and a dirty bottom.

Services that Dr Amanda can provide

Gender determination including reptile probing for snakes
Dimorphic feature examination for most lizard and amphibian species
DNA testing in birds
De-sexing for most exotic species (excluding amphibians, birds and mice) and vasectomy for male ferrets
Diagnostic work ups and treatment for most illnesses
A range of surgical procedures including limb removal, eye removal, tumor removal, surgical egg removal, and wound closures
Dentistry for all exotics and beak and nail trims for birds
Viral testing for most viral diseases of exotic pets that we see commonly in Australia.

Other services

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"They all love animals"

Understanding that some couples who have kids and grandkids, treat their animals like people. Having well trained staff, who get to know us quickly, and who are always so nice, helpful and efficient. They do great follow up calls to monitor their patients, and if they say they will call back, they actually do call back. They love animals and are very involved with their work.

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"Always the best care for our fur babies"

I have always been a client of North Nowra Vets. Their care and compassion is so heartfelt. They care for my cats as if they were their own. Always available for emergency after hours calls. I also use the cattery when we go away and have never had a cat ignore me afterwards. We will remain a loyal customer at North Nowra Vets because they care.

"My best respect to all who are part of this team"

These vets, Cathy and Quentin and their team, I cannot speak more highly of their knowledge and care, it is wonderful and you never leave you pet for surgery wondering. They all have a true love of animals. My best respect to all who are part of this team. Well done.

"Visits are never rushed and our dog's checkups are very thorough"

We have always found Kathy, Quentin and staff very pleasant and helpful. Visits are never rushed and our dog's checkups are very thorough. The options for treatment are clearly explained so the best choice can be made. Our dog has the intelligence and strong will that his breed is known for but he is always very happy even excited to go to the North Nowra Veterinary Hospital and that surely is a strong a recommendation as any.

"Everyone is so welcoming and friendly!"

From a client's perspective, or 'owner of your patient', you have many years brought the "whole package" together in relation to you practice. Everyone is so welcoming and friendly which is great for both human and animal. I have for many years been referring friends, neighbours, acquaintances and clients from our own business to you knowing that they will receive professional care and excellent diagnosis.

"It's all about the little things you get right!"

It's not easy to say specifically which one thing makes for your customer service, as it's all about the little things you get right, such as keeping staff for long periods of time, so we see familiar faces and hear familiar voices on the phone. The fact that a number of people want to stay sends a powerful message that it's a good place to work.

"I pass 3 other clinics to get to you"

A lot of people ask me why I go out of my way to go to your clinic. It's because you have always given the best possible care, the centre is always fresh looking and a smile always available. At first I felt a bit apprehensive seeing someone other than Cathy or Quentin. But each and every time my distress has been eased with the knowledge and support given by all the team. I have always received 110%.

"Thanks for providing a hassle free service and a happy place"

I am pretty impresses when whoever is on the counter manages to call up Xena's details as I'm walking through the door so that by the time I reach the counter it's all up on the screen waiting for whatever has to be done. It's great and really efficient!! Thanks for the hassle free service and a happy place to walk into!

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Our Great Dane has anxiety issues, for which she is being medicated. These medicines worked quite well for a time, but her anxiety started to increase, so we gave acupuncture a go. The difference was noticeable after the first treatment, and she continued to improve. After a few treatments she plateaued, and has been without treatment for a few months now, and still going well – she is much happier and calmer. I highly recommend giving it a go in Kristy's very talented hands.

"Our girl Freyja has a better doctor than us!"

Every time we visit the vets they always go above and beyond for us. I always feel like they put in so much time for us. They also know how to handle one big wriggly great dane!

"I have never been to such a good vet!"

I am so glad I finally found a vet that really understands my anxious dog! All the nurses and vets are always gentle with my dog! Thank you!