This show is for people who have — or are curious about owning — any of the birds, snakes or small mammals who are considered exotic pets — from bunnies to iguanas, and parrots to ferrets. Dr. Karen will help you understand the physical requirements of these animals and how to avoid most of the medical problems these pets can develop once you understand the often challenging proper environment and correct diet that are essential to their welfare.
Co-host Karen Rosenthal, DVM, MS, has an impressive professional history, from being Director of Special Species Medicine at the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, followed by years focused on Avian and Exotic pets at the Animal Medical Center in New York City. She is now Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine at St. Matthew’s University in the Cayman Islands, British West Indies.
Hosted by Tracie Hotchner, Karen Rosenthal
Exotic Pets (10-24-2016) #211: Dr Karen talks about what slithers: SNAKES! She explains how snakes have a yearly clutch of 10 to 20 eggs that are laid internally and hatch as they exit. Curious about what kind of snake to start with? Corn, King, Milk, and Ball Pythons are all docile snakes costing from $50 […]
Exotic Pets (04-20+-2015) #210: Dr Karen talks about the recent cricket shortage in Hawaii — pointing up the unique food needs of exotic pets, which are not “convenience” pets! Advice on why to never feed a commercial cricket unless it is “gut loaded:” you have to put them in a box of oatmeal, sprinkle with […]
Exotic Pets (03-23-2015) #207: Nikki talks about her rare therapy pet Ralphie, an Abyssinian guinea pig with a natural Mohawk “hairdo”, who regularly does therapy visits at an adult forensic psychiatric facility — the Solomon Carter Fuller Psychiatric Center — where patients have been remanded by the courts of Massachusetts because they have psychiatric diagnoses […]
Exotic Pets (01-26-2015) #209: Dr. Laurie Hess, a leading avian and exotic pet veterinarian, discusses with Tracie whether people should have birds as pets at all? Are you taking the bird in the shower with you? Playing TV and music for him? Providing social interaction, UV light and something to chew on all the time? […]
Exotic Pets (01-05-2015) #206: THE LIZARD SHOW on which Dr. Karen introduces us to the popular Australian Bearded Dragon, which make the best pet of all the reptile choices: they stay small, they “color morph” and can be very beautiful, have a pleasing personality (you need to interact with them!), don’t need to climb and […]
Exotic Pets (12-01-2014) #205: Dr. Karen Rosenthal gives an overview of Ferrets as Pets — the highly friendly, social, playful little pets who are like kittens that never grow up. Immediately litter box trained, just put a litter box in a corner (their preferred location to relieve themselves), cover the bottom with Precious Cat litter […]
Exotic Pets (11-03-2014) #204: Beth talks about her amazing Critter Camp Sanctuary (http://crittercamp.weebly.com/) where she provides a safe, healthy, and happy forever-home to un-adoptable, exotic and unusual pets — and explains how people need to learn about the quirks and requirements of small pets that might pee absolutely everywhere, need a hot and humid environment, […]
Exotic Pets (10-27-2014) #203: Annie Petersen founded the Association for Human-Animal Bond Studies [http://www.animalbondstudies.org/] particularly to promote small animals in classrooms (and in homes like her own!) and speaks about her fascination and love for guinea pigs. MP3 Audio [14 MB]DownloadShow URL
Exotic Pets (10-20-2014) #203: Annie Petersen founded the Association for Human-Animal Bond Studies (http://www.animalbondstudies.org/), particularly to promote small animals in classrooms (and in homes like her own!), and speaks about her fascination and love for guinea pigs. MP3 Audio [15 MB]DownloadShow URL
Exotic Pets (10-6-2014) #202: Dr. Karen continues her All Things Rabbit advice, especially about proper feeding of a bunny, which means the right hay from Oxbow Health and good quality pellets from Zoopreem, along with the fiber and grit necessary in a rabbit’s diet. MP3 Audio [15 MB]DownloadShow URL
