Expert Veterinary Care for Exotic Pets
What we see
If you keep any of these exciting pets:
- a small mammal (rabbit, guinea pig, chinchilla, ferret, sugar glider, degu, rat, hamster, etc)
- a bird (including parrots, chickens, budgerigars, cockatiels, waterfowl, etc)
- a reptile (tortoise, lizard, snake)
- invertebrate (spider or other insect)
- an amphibian or a fish
Who we are
For a first opinion you can request an appointment with Polly Cornwell BVSc MRCVS GPcert(ExAP)DipCABT, Jemma Young BVSc MRCVS GPcert(ExAP) or Vim Kumaratunga BVSc MRCVS.
Polly, Jemma and Vim are assisted by our dedicated exotics nurses, Kati Heddington RVN CertExotics and Janine Fletcher RVN, who has a special interest in wildlife.
We are also fortunate to work with the Bristol Zoo Gardens Veterinary Services Team, Michelle Barrows BSc BVMS DZooMed (Avian) MRCVS, Rowena Killick BVM&S MSc DZooMed MRCVS and Richard Saunders BSc (Hons) BVSc MSB CBiol DZooMed (Mammalian) MRCVS. They run regular referral clinics here at Highcroft Veterinary Hospital, which means that we can deal with virtually any exotic species inhouse.What we do
With our extensive diagnostic facilities, and enthusiastic and knowledgeable nursing staff, here are some examples of the service we can offer for exotic pets:
- Thorough clinical examination of new pets and advice for new owners;
- Routine health checks, including clinical examination, review of husbandry, weighing and measuring;
- Surgical procedures including neutering and laparoscopy (keyhole surgery);
- Dental care, both routine prophylactic care and treatment of tooth problems;
- Onsite CT scanner (one of the few practices in the country regularly CT scanning exotic species);
- Further investigations: blood, urine and faecal samples are analysed in house or sent to laboratories specialising in exotic species for evaluation; radiology (x-ray); ultrasound; endoscopy.
- Sevoflurane anaesthetic and a ventilator to provide ideal conditions for small mammals, reptiles and birds under general anaesthetic;
- A separate dedicated ward for exotic species with specialist hospitalisation equipment, including vivaria;
- Excellent surgical and nursing skills for the less commonly encountered pets
For more information or to book an appointment please contact your branch surgery.




