At Beecroft Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic, performing surgery on small and unique creatures is our specialty. Given their diverse anatomies and physiologies, exotic pets require specialized surgical approaches. This is especially so since many exotic pets are small, even tiny, making surgery all the more difficult. Our clinic is equipped with the technology and a team of experienced surgeons adept in customizing anesthesia and surgical protocols tailored to each species and individual pet. We are committed to providing the highest standard of care for all exotic pets in Singapore, focusing on minimizing risks to ensure the safest possible outcomes. Whether it’s soft tissue or orthopedic procedures, our skilled team is prepared to handle a wide range of surgical needs.
At Beecroft Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic, our surgical team is composed of veterinarians who are trained in the specific needs of exotic animals. Our exotic animal clinic is equipped to handle a wide variety of surgical cases, from routine procedures to more complex surgeries tailored to the unique requirements of each species. Our focus is on providing attentive and knowledgeable surgical interventions to ensure the health and well-being of every patient.
At Beecroft Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic, we provide a broad array of surgical procedures designed to meet the specific needs of exotic pets. Our surgical expertise covers a variety of species, including rabbits, hamsters, birds, reptiles, chinchillas, and more. We offer both soft tissue and orthopedic surgeries, catering to the specialized requirements of these diverse animals, ensuring that each procedure, from surgeries on rabbits to surgeries for birds, is conducted with utmost care.
Types of Surgeries
At Beecroft Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic, our soft tissue surgeries cater to a broad spectrum of conditions affecting the internal organs, skin, and muscles of exotic pets. These procedures commonly address ailments such as obstructive intestinal foreign bodies, cystotomies, and various forms of cancerous growths requiring tumor removal. Additionally, we handle intricate surgeries involving the liver, kidneys, digestive and urinary systems, and even thoracic and airway corrections, such as laryngeal tie-backs and lung lobectomies. Our clinic also specializes in reconstructive efforts, ensuring animals recover with functionality and quality of life intact. These surgeries are crucial for managing health issues that do not involve the skeletal system, providing essential treatment for life-enhancing outcomes.
At Beecroft Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic, our team is skilled in performing orthopedic surgeries that address a variety of musculoskeletal issues in exotic pets. These surgeries are crucial for conditions such as cranial cruciate ligament ruptures and various bone fractures. We also manage joint luxations, including those in the hip, elbow, shoulder, carpal, and tarsal areas. Additionally, we provide surgical interventions for pets diagnosed with bone cancer, focusing on both alleviating pain and enhancing mobility.
Neutering is an elective procedure that can be performed on numerous species to fit the specific needs of the patient and client. It is typically done for medical benefits such as preventing certain cancers or medical problems related to the reproductive system. For example, did you know there is up to an 80% incidence of uterine cancer in intact rabbits over the age of 5? Neutering can also produce some behavioral benefits, such as reduced aggression and territorial behaviors such as urine spraying and humping.
At Beecroft Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic, we emphasize the importance of spaying and neutering rabbits to not only prevent unwanted pregnancies but also to address significant health risks. Female rabbits are at risk for adenocarcinoma, a common type of cancer found in rabbits over a certain age. Spaying helps reduce the risk of ovarian and mammary cancers and eliminates the possibility of life-threatening uterine cancers. For male rabbits, neutering reduces behaviors such as aggression and territorial urine spraying, improving litter training and facilitating better bonding with companions.
In chinchillas, the decision to spay or neuter may depend on specific health or behavioral conditions. While male chinchillas are often neutered to prevent reproduction and reduce aggression and fighting, female chinchillas are not routinely spayed unless there is a significant risk of reproductive diseases. At our clinic, each chinchilla is evaluated individually, and surgical options are tailored to meet their unique physiological needs.
Preparing your exotic pet for surgery is crucial to ensure a safe and successful procedure. Here are key steps and guidelines to follow:
Each step of this pre-surgical preparation is tailored to the needs of your exotic pet, ensuring they are in the best possible condition for their procedure. If you have any specific concerns or need more detailed guidance, our team is here to assist you.
One of the biggest concerns about surgery, especially in exotic patients, is anesthesia. It is no doubt that whenever sedation is involved, there is some risk for your pet. However, the level of risk depends on a few things such as the administration of the anesthesia, the species-specific drugs chosen, proper patient monitoring, and the patient’s associated diseases. At our specialty animal clinic, we work out a unique anesthetic protocol for your individual pet to minimize any risks.
Patient factors we consider for anesthesia include:
To help maintain a consistent and controlled level of anesthesia we will intubate all patients that can be intubated. We have the expertise and specialized equipment to intubate some of the more fragile and difficult pets safely, including rabbits, chameleons, birds, and many more. Intubation refers to the placement of the breathing tube into the airway which delivers anesthesia in the most effective and controlled way possible. This procedure also enables staff to breathe for your pet if required.
Each pet is also given a thorough pre-anesthetic exam and we highly encourage bloodwork prior to surgery. In this way, we ensure your pet is healthy enough for the procedure and anesthesia. In addition, throughout the surgical procedure, our veterinary team monitors each pet’s vital signs, including blood pressure, oxygen levels, heart rate, and respiratory rate. This vigilant monitoring helps us maintain optimal anesthesia depth and quickly address any issues that arise, ensuring the highest level of safety for your pet.
Throughout your pet’s procedure, we never leave anything to chance. We have the specialized equipment to suit each and every species. One of our trained staff will strictly monitor your pet’s vitals from start to finish.
Monitoring parameters:
At our specialty clinic, we never want any pet to be in pain. It is not only uncomfortable but pain also slows the healing process by causing stress. Similar to our anesthetic protocol, we have the same precision for pain management. We use a multimodal analgesic approach, meaning your pet receives pain medication before, during, and after the procedure via drug combinations to address multiple receptors of pain in the body.
Post-surgical care is crucial for your pet’s recovery and overall well-being. To ensure a smooth and stress-free recovery:
Diet and Hydration: Provide easy access to water and feed a balanced diet as recommended to support healing.
Pain Management: Administer prescribed pain medications to alleviate discomfort and promote healing.
Activity Restrictions: Limit your pet’s movements according to our guidelines to prevent strain on surgical sites and ensure proper healing.
Home Environment: Keep your pet in a calm, comfortable area away from other animals to reduce stress and facilitate recovery.
Follow-Up Consultations: Schedule follow-up visits to monitor your pet’s recovery progress and address any concerns promptly.
Recovery time for exotic pet surgeries varies depending on the type of surgery and the specific animal.
Yes, we can treat fractures and broken wings in birds. Our clinic is equipped with specialized tools and expertise to carefully handle and surgically repair avian bone injuries.
Yes, we perform surgeries to resolve egg-binding in birds and reptiles.
Pre-surgical tests for exotic pets typically include bloodwork and X-rays in addition to the standard pet wellness exams to assess the overall health of the animal and identify any risks or underlying conditions that could affect anesthesia or surgery outcomes.
Signs your pet may be in pain after surgery include restlessness, aggression, reduced appetite, a reluctance to move, and changes in vocalization. If you notice any of these behaviors, contact your veterinarian for advice on pain management.
Yes, we offer follow-up consultations after surgery to monitor your pet's recovery.
