Posts in Category: Small Exotic Mammals July 1, 2026 by South Texas Avian & Exotic Hospital Why Is My Guinea Pig Breathing Fast? Respiratory Illness in Small Mammals Guinea pigs are tiny creatures with big personalities—and very small margins for error when it comes to their health. If you’ve noticed your pet’s sides fluttering like a nervous heartbeat, you might be wondering: Why is my guinea pig breathing fast? It’s a question worth taking seriously. In small mammals, breathing changes are often one […] Read More 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 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 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 What Should Exotic Pet Owners Know About End-of-Summer Diet Adjustments? 5 Seasonal Tips As the long summer days begin to fade and we gear up for fall, it’s not just humans who feel the seasonal shift—our exotic pets do, too. Whether you’re caring for a sun-loving iguana, a parrot who thinks it’s still on island time, or a sugar glider who treats fruit like gold, adjusting their diet […] Read More Caring for Exotic Pets in the Texas Heat: Tips for Keeping Your Animals Cool As Temperatures Climb When the temperatures rise in Texas, so does the need for a little extra TLC for our pets. South Texas Avian & Exotic Hospital wants to be sure that you don’t forget about keeping exotic animals cool, too before the weather gets too warm. Read More Winter Care Tips for Exotic Pets: How to Keep Reptiles, Birds, and Small Mammals Comfortable As temperatures drop in the winter, most of us think about how this might affect our furry, four-legged friends. But the cold affects all types of pets, especially exotic animals like reptiles, birds, and small mammals. These animals can be more vulnerable to the cold than you might expect. This is why it’s so important […] Read More