Posts in Category: Health & Wellness June 1, 2026 by South Texas Avian & Exotic Hospital Lethargy in Rabbits: Early Warning Signs of GI Stasis Is your rabbit moving a lot less than usual, or acting super sleepy and listless? If so, it’s time to pay attention. Rabbits can be delicate creatures, and they require attentive care. One of the most dangerous conditions for rabbits is gastrointestinal (GI) stasis, and lethargy is a major warning sign. Here’s what the team […] Read More Why Isn’t My Bird Eating? Appetite Loss in Avian Patients Explained Nothing is more terrifying to a pet parent than when their little family member stops eating. In birds, avian appetite loss is even scarier. Birds are delicate creatures, and when they’re sick, they need specialized care to make sure they have a chance of a healthy recovery. The team at South Texas Avian and Exotic […] Read More Emergency Signs in Small Mammals That Require Immediate Veterinary Care Small mammals are masters of subtlety. By the time something looks “off,” your pet may already be dealing with a serious problem. That’s why recognizing early warning signs and knowing when to act fast is so important. At South Texas Avian & Exotic Hospital, we frequently see rabbits, guinea pigs, and other small mammals whose […] Read More Is My Guinea Pig Wheezing? Respiratory Illnesses in Small Mammals…and When to Worry Did you know that the smallest of pets can be adept at hiding the biggest of illnesses? Pets like rabbits and guinea pigs would be prey species in the wild, so they generally have the instinct to hide signs of sickness to appear less vulnerable to predators. That doesn’t necessarily help them much as pets […] Read More Recognizing Early Signs of Illness in Birds, Reptiles, and Small Mammals When you share your home with an exotic pet, you become fluent in all their quirky charms—chirps, squeaks, slow blinks, and everything in between. But spotting when something isn’t quite right can feel tricky. At South Texas Avian & Exotic Hospital in San Antonio, we help families understand the subtle signs that their birds, reptiles, […] Read More Recognizing Stress in Small Mammals When Temperatures Drop Even in South Texas, temperatures can dip enough to make small mammals uncomfortable. And when they’re stressed, they don’t always tell you in obvious ways. Recognizing signs of stress during cooler weather helps you keep your exotic pet safe, cozy, and healthy. At South Texas Avian & Exotic Hospital in San Antonio, we understand how […] Read More Referred to an Exotic Animal Hospital? Here’s What to Expect If you’ve been told your pet needs an exotic pet referral, you might feel slightly worried and confused. After all, what could be so serious that your pet needs to go somewhere beyond your regular vet’s office? Here’s the thing: sometimes, when you live with a unique companion like a parrot, rabbit, reptile, or ferret, […] Read More Recognizing Signs of Illness in Exotic Pets as Weather Changes As temperatures drop and days grow shorter, many exotic pets experience subtle shifts in their health and behavior. Birds, reptiles, small mammals, and other exotic pets can be sensitive to seasonal transitions, and fall is a critical time to watch for early signs of illness. Understanding what’s normal (and what’s not) could make all the […] Read More Which Foods Are Safe for Exotic Pets at Summer BBQs? 10 Do’s and Don’ts Who says exotic animals can’t be the life of the party at your summer BBQ or other family gathering? If you’ve got a socialite for a spider monkey or a leftover loving lemur, you’ll want to keep reading for our team’s tips on exotic pet-safe foods and BBQ dangers for exotic pets. Read More The Best Diets for Exotic Pets: 6 Nutrition Tips for Reptiles, Birds, and Small Mammals Our dedicated pet owners at South Texas Avian & Exotic Hospital know that nutrition for birds and small pets is important. Choosing an exotic pet diet can be difficult, but our team has some nutrition tips to share to make it a little easier. Read More Older Posts