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Welcome to Avian and Exotics Veterinary Services at The Humane Society of New York.
Dr. Shachar Malka, DVM, Diplomate ABVP is an avian medicine specialist. He practices medicine exclusively on birds, exotic mammals, reptiles, amphibians and other exotic pets.
What is an "exotic" pet?
Exotic pets are pets not typically seen in a traditional small animal practice. Birds, reptiles, ferrets, rabbits, rats, or guinea pigs are some of the more common types of exotic pets. Exotic pets have different medical, nutritional, and environmental needs than dogs and cats. Veterinary care for these unique species is also different than traditional dog and cat medicine and requires special knowledge and training for both the veterinarian and the owner.
Why an avian and exotic veterinarian?
Veterinary care for exotic species is different than dog and cat medicine. Veterinary specialists in avian and exotic species medicine have made the extra commitment to undergo extensive additional training in the diagnosis, treatment and care of diseases in birds and other exotic pets. This training is beyond that of the traditional veterinarian. While many dog/cat veterinarians posses an interest in exotic animal medicine, that does not necessarily equal proficiency in treating them. The treatment of diseases in exotic species without the proper background knowledge can result in serious harm to the animal. Dr. Malka, is a board-certified bird specialist. He is one of only approximately 150 bird specialists in the world.
Why a routine yearly exam is extremely important for your exotic pet?
For people, a yearly visit to the doctor is good preventive medicine. This is also the case for animals. Parrots and other pet birds, reptiles and exotic mammals like rabbits, guinea pigs and chinchillas are excellent at masking signs of illness from their owners. They are prey species that evolved to hide signs of injury and illness from their predators. Unfortunately, most birds and exotic pets have their first visit to the veterinarian when there is an emergency. Yearly visits, including physical examinations, combined with the proper knowledge of diet, housing, and disease prevention, can be the basis of a long and healthy life with your exotic pet.