Our Expert: Dr. Laurie Hess
Top 10 Fun Facts About Iguanas
By Dr. Laurie Hess | April 28, 2017Commonly kept as house pets, green iguanas are large, tree-climbing lizards native to the Caribbean and Central and South America. They also are found in the wild as feral populations in Florida,…View Full Post ›
The Top 10 Things to Know About Chinchillas
By Dr. Laurie Hess | April 25, 2017Chinchillas are charming, small rodents originating from South America, where they are now nearly extinct from being hunted for their thick coats. They are adapted to live at high elevations, where…View Full Post ›
Get to Know the Leopard Gecko
By Dr. Laurie Hess | April 19, 2017As an exotic veterinarian, I am frequently asked about what reptiles make good starter pets for families and individuals. One that I always like to recommend is the leopard gecko. While there are…View Full Post ›
February Is Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month: 10 Things You Should Know About Pet Bunnies
By Dr. Laurie Hess | February 6, 2017With nearly 50 breeds recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association, rabbits come in all sizes and colors, and make terrific pets in the right circumstances. Although they do need exercise…View Full Post ›
Want a Pet Reptile? Consider a Skink
By Dr. Laurie Hess | November 29, 2016Although many people don’t know what a skink is, they actually make great reptile pets and have become increasingly popular in the past few years. Perhaps the most popular pet skink is the…View Full Post ›
10 Tips to Help Teach Your Parrot to Talk
By Dr. Laurie Hess | September 21, 2016Polly want a cracker? Many people get parrots as pets because they are hoping to have a fun level of verbal interaction with these unique and intelligent creatures. Peoples’ perception of avian…View Full Post ›
Bird Boarding or Babysitting: What Every Pet Owner Should Ask
By Dr. Laurie Hess | July 28, 2016I often hear bird owners say that they never go away on vacation because they can’t find anyone they trust to take care of their pets. Yet there are many reputable bird sitters and boarding…View Full Post ›
Want a Backyard Goat? 10 Things to Consider
By Dr. Laurie Hess | June 23, 2016You may have heard the expression, “He really gets my goat!” But what do you get, when you get a goat? People think about getting backyard goats for lots of reasons: for milk, entertainment and…View Full Post ›
9 Things to Know Before Adopting a Turtle
By Dr. Laurie Hess | May 23, 2016Turtles are very popular pets and can be terrific for people who want a fascinating animal to look at and appreciate — but maybe not necessarily to cuddle with. Turtles can be great for families…View Full Post ›
Spring Cleaning Tips for Exotic Pets
By Dr. Laurie Hess | April 7, 2016Spring is coming and with the warm breezes, fresh air and sunshine comes spring cleaning. Our homes, our cars, our garages — we clean them out to start the new season right. Many pet owners forget…View Full Post ›
Easter Trivia: Fascinating Facts About Baby Chicks, Ducklings and Bunnies
By Dr. Laurie Hess | March 25, 2016Easter is a happy holiday to celebrate with your family. It’s also the time baby chicks, ducklings and bunnies are born. These animals are precious to look at and adorable to hold, and many people…View Full Post ›
Common Health Hazards and Toxins for Small Mammals
By Dr. Laurie Hess | February 1, 2016When people hear about commonly kept small mammal pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, hedgehogs, ferrets, rats, hamsters and gerbils, they don’t usually think of them being at high risk…View Full Post ›
