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Guidance

Before you begin

Important information for exotic pet owners

This service is NOT a veterinary consultation

SOS Exotic Pets is a guidance-only tool. Only a licensed veterinarian can establish a diagnosis and prescribe treatment. Exotic pets require specialized care: always consult an exotic pet veterinarian.

Exotic pets are fragile animals

  • Exotic pets often mask their symptoms until an advanced stage — any abnormality should be taken seriously.
  • A general practice veterinarian is not always trained in exotic pet medicine: seek out an exotic pet specialist veterinarian (ECZM diploma, board-certified, or exclusive exotic practice).
  • Some species (reptiles, birds) have very specific metabolic needs — incorrect husbandry parameters can cause a life-threatening emergency.

What SOS Exotic Pets does

  • Species-specific guidance questionnaire based on exotic pet veterinary references
  • Urgency score: Green (can wait) / Orange (vet today) / Red (immediate emergency)
  • Referral to an exotic pet specialist veterinarian near you
  • First aid advice while awaiting your consultation

In case of emergency

If your animal is in respiratory distress, prostration, seizures, hemorrhage, or severe hypothermia, do not waste time: immediately call votre emergency vet or go to the nearest exotic pet veterinarian.

Worried about your exotic pet?
We guide you.

Species-specific triage · Urgency score · Exotic pet vet referral · Husbandry advice

5M+
Exotic pets in France
~400
Specialized exotic
pet veterinarians
3rd
Most popular pet:
the rabbit

France is home to over 5 million exotic pets (rabbits, rodents, reptiles, birds, ferrets...) but only ~400 truly specialized veterinarians. These animals have very specific needs and often mask their symptoms until a critical stage.

SOS Exotic Pets helps you quickly assess the severity of your animal's symptoms, identify life-threatening emergencies, and refers you to a specialized exotic pet veterinarian near you. A quick response can save your companion's life.

Choose a species

Which animal is affected?

Select the species to access the appropriate triage module.

🐰
Rabbits
Oryctolagus cuniculus
AVAILABLE
GI stasis Malocclusion Myxomatosis VHD Pasteurellosis Encephalitozoonosis
3rd most popular pet in France · ~1.5M domestic rabbits
Start triage →
🦎
Reptiles
Turtles, snakes, lizards
AVAILABLE
MBD Stomatitis Parasites Dysecdysis Egg retention Anorexia
Turtles, geckos, pythons, bearded dragons, chameleons, iguanas
Start triage →
🐹
Rodents
Guinea pig, hamster, rat, chinchilla, gerbil
AVAILABLE
Malocclusion Scurvy (guinea pig) Pododermatitis Mammary tumors Dermatophytosis
Guinea pig, hamster, rat, chinchilla, gerbil, degu, mouse
Start triage →
🦜
Birds
Parrots, parakeets, canaries
AVAILABLE
PBFD Aspergillosis Psittacosis French moult Egg binding Feather plucking
African grey, macaw, cockatoo, parakeet, canary, zebra finch
Start triage →
🐾
Ferrets
Mustela putorius furo
AVAILABLE
Insulinoma Adrenal disease Influenza Lymphoma GI obstruction Aleutian disease
~1 million ferrets in France · Life expectancy 6-10 years
Start triage →
🐟
Fish & Aquatics
Fish, axolotls, shrimp
AVAILABLE
Ich (white spot disease) Fungal infections Fin rot Dropsy Nitrites
Goldfish, bettas, discus, axolotls, shrimp
Start triage →
🦔
Hedgehogs
Atelerix albiventris
AVAILABLE
WHS (Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome) Tumors Parasites Obesity Dermatitis
African pygmy hedgehog · Life expectancy 3-5 years
Start triage →
🚨

Life-threatening emergency for your exotic pet?

Respiratory distress, prostration, seizures, hemorrhage, hypothermia... Do not waste time. Immediately Find an emergency vet or go to the nearest exotic pet veterinarian.

Useful contacts

📞

Veterinary emergencies

Free national hotline, 24/7. For any animal emergency.

🏥

GENAC Association

Study Group for Exotic Companion Animals. Training and veterinary resources for exotic pets.

genac.fr
🐶

Dogs & Cats

Is your companion a dog or cat? Find our dedicated triage modules.

Companion animals
Required legal notice — The guidance provided by SOS Exotic Pets constitutes indicative assistance based on specialized exotic pet veterinary references. It does not in any way constitute a veterinary diagnosis within the meaning of Art. L243-1 of the French Rural Code. Exotic pets require specialized care: always consult a veterinarian trained in exotic pet medicine.