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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 3115 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 call 3115 or go to the nearest exotic pet veterinarian.

📞 3115

Useful contacts

📞

Veterinary emergencies

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

Call 3115
🏥

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.