The staff at Dixie Trail Animal Clinic has experience with many different species of pocket pets. These animals are very popular with families and many get along great with other animals.

For their regular veterinary care, see our recommendations below:

Ferrets:
Annual physical
Distemper vaccine once a year
Rabies vaccine once a year
Heartworm prevention year-round
Microchipping
Biannual blood tests
Geriatric Blood Panel (for ferrets over 4 years of age)

Rats and Rodents:
Annual Physical

Guinea Pigs:
Annual Physical
Annual Oral Exam
Geriatric Blood Panel (for guinea pigs over 4 years of age)

Rabbits:
Annual physical
Fecal exam once a year
Dental exam once a year
Spay / castration 4 months
Geriatric Blood Panel (for rabbits over 5 years of age)

For more information about rabbits, visit the House Rabbit Society.

Rabbit Tips

Rabbits housed out of doors in North Carolina will do fine through the winter provided they have access to a solid wall shelter (Nest Box) lined with hay or straw, plenty of good quality food (grass hay, leafy veggies, a little fruit, +/- pellets).

Fresh water should be available at all times and should be checked at least twice a day for freezing. Rabbits should never be housed directly on the ground due to a tissue migrating fly larvae called Cuterebra.