ZooMED Animal Care

Is zoological medicine and surgery the same as avian and exotics?

Yes. These two service names are interchangeable.

Dr. Horwitz is trained and equipped to see most zoological companion animals, from a tiny rodent to a large bird or reptile. Below is a small example of the animals we see. If you are uncertain if we will be able to help your pet, just give us a call and we will be happy to answer your questions.

  • Mammals: rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, mice, rats, hamsters
  • Birds: parrots, love birds, cockatiels, cockatoos, finches, toucans, chickens
  • Reptiles: turtles, tortoises, lizards, snakes
  • Amphibians: frogs, salamanders, and caecilians
  • Invertebrates: tarantulas, praying mantis, hermit crab

Our services include (among others):

  • Primary care and wellness exams: We are happy to be the primary veterinarian for your pet! Just call us and schedule an appointment.
  • Referral care: We know we have great colleagues in the veterinary community that sometimes may need help with a complicated case or advanced diagnostic testing performed. We are happy to assist at any time! Just ask your veterinarian to contact us!
  • Beak and nail trim: We use small trimmers and special rotary tools to best fit your bird needs. If your bird is very anxious, we also offer light sedation during the procedure.
  • Complete dental exam and teeth trimming for rodents and rabbits: If you have a rodent or rabbit, you are probably already aware that they are prone to dental problems. But visualizing the small dental structures of rabbits and rodents can be very challenging without adequate equipment. Since their mouth and teeth structure are so small, our doctors utilize advanced endoscopy equipment (a small camera with high level magnification) to accurately pinpoint and correct dental problems in your pet.
  • Reproductive prevention in birds: Hormonal implant (deslorelin acetate) might help some birds stop laying eggs for a specific period of time. If your bird is experiencing reproductive problems and you would like to learn more about it, just give us a call. We carry the implant and are happy to help!
  • Pre- and post-purchase exam: If you are considering or have just acquired a new pet and want to know if he/she is healthy, just schedule an appointment with us! We will examine the pet and test for common diseases. If we discover a problem, we can treat it early before it becomes worse.
  • Gender identification of birds: With just a drop of blood sent to the laboratory, we are able to tell you the gender of your bird (for birds with no sexual dimorphism when both genders look alike).
  • Gender identification of juvenile chelonians (tortoises, turtles): Whether you are a breeder in need of gender identification of juvenile chelonians (as small as 50 grams) or a curious pet owner, we are able to identify the gender of chelonians before they reach sexual maturity. Now you don't need to wait years before finding out the gender. We use a quick and minimally invasive technique with the endoscope to tell you if your pet is a male or female. We also use the same procedure to identify the gender of lizards that don't have sexual dimorphism.
  • Specific diagnostic tests: We partner with the most technologically advanced laboratories in the U.S. to provide your pet with the most specific diagnostic tests available. These include avian disease testing (e.g. chlamydiosis, aspergillosis), reptilian diseases (e.g. herpesviruses), among many others. We are also able to run a series of tests in rodents by using just a small drop of blood!
  • Imaging: We offer state-of-the-art ultrasound, CT, MRI, digital radiography. We use the safest sedation/anesthesia protocols and provide close monitoring during all imaging procedures.
  • Surgery: Our hospital is equipped with a full complement of state-of-the-art surgical equipment and well-appointed surgery suites. We also use the safest and latest anesthesia protocols. As in human surgery your pet will be closely monitored during their entire procedure.
  • Behavioral consultations: We are ready to team to assist with any behavioral issues your pet may be having!
    Chemotherapy and radiation therapy: Our hospital has an outstanding team to offer or refer to a wealth of services to help your pet back on the road to recovery!