As of May 7th, 2024, Dr. Joy Shokeir will be available to welcome new patients and schedule appointments for pocket pets at Greenbank Animal Hospital! This includes a variety of critters such as rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, rats, hamsters, and hedgehogs in addition to dogs and cats.
Joy brings a diverse background to her practice. Joy's special interest in pocket pet medicine developed from her experience on clinical rotations at university in addition to her prior experience caring for pocket pets in her professional and personal life. She has continued to develop her knowledge through educational courses, in-person shadowing, and independent study. Joy has certificates in Medicine and Surgery of Pet Rabbits; Rat Basics; Hamster, Mouse, and Gerbil Basics; Ferret Basics; and The Geriatric Ferret.
If you have a pocket pet that needs care, please don’t hesitate to call us and book an appointment with Dr Joy!’
Five Great Reasons to Bring Your Bunny, Rodent, or Ferret for a Veterinary Check-up
By Dr. Joy Hypatia Shokeir, DVM
What’s up doc? Rabbits, rodents, hedgehogs, and ferrets (collectively referred to as “pocket pets”) are popular and beloved members of the family. One in fifty Canadian households have pocket pets and their popularity is rising. And for good reason! When provided the right care, pocket pets can make great companions for people of all ages. So if you are a pocket pet owner, here are five ways that an annual check-up with knowledgeable veterinarian can help you your pocket pet:
#5: Vaccinations
Vaccinations for pocket pets? It’s worth a shot! Rabbits and ferrets both benefit from annual vaccinations. For rabbits, there is a vaccine for Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV), a deadly highly-contagious incurable virus which has caused several outbreaks in Ontario during the last few years. Ferrets benefit from Rabies and Distemper immunizations, similar to dogs, both of which are incurable and deadly. Ask your veterinarian which vaccines are right for your pet.
#4: Parasite Prevention
Some pets are itching for parasite prevention... literally! Did you know that over 50% of all rabbits are carriers for “walking dandruff” (Cheyletiella parasitovorax) mites, which can cause skin disease in humans? Rats can carry the tropical rat mite (Ornithonyssus bacoti) and Guinea Pigs can have mange mites (Trixacarus caviae), both of which can affect humans. Most pocket pets with parasites are silent carriers, meaning that they do not show any signs of parasitic infection. This can be a risk to their owners, who are often children or minors. These are treatable and preventable with anti-parasitic medications prescribed by your veterinarian.
#3: Discuss Spaying and Neutering
What is a rabbit’s favourite math operation? Multiplication! While spaying and neutering pets has long been recognized as a solution for unwanted breeding, these surgical procedures have other benefits. Spaying a doe rabbit can prevent cancer of the uterus, which affects over 75% of rabbits 4 years and older. Neutering a male rabbit or rodents can prevent and resolve urine marking and aggression behavioral issues. In many older female rodents, spaying can cure many uterine and ovarian diseases. An annual check-up is a great opportunity to discuss spaying and neutering for your pet.
#2: Husbandry and Care Advice
Mice eat cheese, rabbits eat carrots, ferrets eat cat food... right? Wrong! As it turns out, the nutritional and husbandry needs of pocket pets can be quite complicated! Common myths and misinformation circulate online, making it tough to find high-quality information. Dr. Google is even less reliable now than ever with paid advertisements and AI-generated nonsense. An annual check-up is a great opportunity to get advice from a qualified professional as to how best care for your little critter without the headache and heartbreak of unreliable research.
#1: Earlier detection of health issues
What do you give a hamster with everything? Hopefully some pain medication! Pocket pets are prey species, so to avoid detection by predators, pocket pets will hide signs of illness until they are very sick or debilitated. By this point, these poor critters may be too ill to be treated by a veterinarian, greatly shortening their lifespan. Regular examinations by a knowledgeable veterinarian can detect these issues before they become life-threatening, aiding in earlier diagnosis, longer lifespan, and better quality of life.
Just like any other pet, your small critter will be happier and healthier with regular veterinary consultations. By giving them the best shot at life, your pocket pet will be around for years to come.
