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Guide

Exotics and small mammals: every species is its own world

Hay, vitamin C, heat and UVB are not interchangeable.

  1. Adult: grass hay at all times. Alfalfa only in growth or lactation.

    Drop the muesli; leave hay.

    guide AEMV rabbit

    Where: WildVet, La Reina. Or ask at your clinic.

  2. AEMV: about 80% of does over 3 years have been reported to develop uterine cancer.

    Talk about spaying females at the clinic.

    guide AEMV

    Where: WildVet, La Reina. Or ask at your clinic.

  3. Guinea pig: 10–25 mg/kg C daily in adults; not in the water.

    Give guinea-pig pellets and a C-rich vegetable.

    reviewed fact Merck nutrition · Merck scurvy

    Where: WildVet, La Reina. Or ask at your clinic.

  4. Solid floor to avoid pododermatitis. Avoid aromatic pine and cedar.

    Swap wire for a solid floor.

    reviewed fact Merck · guide · AEMV

    Where: WildVet, La Reina. Or ask at your clinic.

  5. One species per enclosure.

    Do not mix origins.

    reviewed fact Merck reptiles

    Where: WildVet, La Reina. Or ask at your clinic.

  6. Thermostatted heat at one end. Hot rocks burn. Glass is not UVB.

    Check heat and light today.

    reviewed fact Merck · RVC heat and light

    Where: WildVet, La Reina. Or ask at your clinic.

  7. UVB 290–300 nm for many diurnal species. Replace every 9–12 months.

    Ask at the clinic for lamp and replacement.

    reviewed fact Merck

    Where: WildVet, La Reina. Or ask at your clinic.

  8. Quarantine 3 to 6 months for a new reptile.

    Keep the newcomer separate.

    reviewed fact Merck

    Where: WildVet, La Reina. Or ask at your clinic.

No single diet “for reptiles.” Merck insists you identify the species.