Exotic Pet Owners, We’ve Got You Covered!
Riverview Animal Health Centre now offers advanced exotic pet services with Dr. Jessie Vandenbruggen. Call to Book: 506-387-4015

Exotic Pet Care

Wellness, diagnostics, dentistry, surgery & ER for birds, rabbits, reptiles, fish & small mammals.

Species Seen

Small Mammals

Small Mammals

Including but not limited to: Rabbits, hedgehogs, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, mice, rats, ferrets, miniature pigs.

Birds

Birds

All companion bird species are welcome, from budgies to macaws.

Reptiles

Reptiles

All non-venomous reptiles are accepted, including: Lizards, snakes, turtles, tortoises. Note: Advance notice is appreciated for iguanas.

With Dr. Vandenbruggen at Riverview Animal Health Centre

At Riverview Animal Health Centre, we offer dedicated exotic pet care for rabbits, birds, small mammals, reptiles and other companion exotic species.

Dr. Jessie Vandenbruggen has focused her training on exotic companion animal medicine and surgery, including international externships, a zoological medicine internship, a specialty internship and a three-year residency. She is board-eligible in exotic companion animal medicine and surgery and provides preventive care, advanced diagnostics, internal medicine, dentistry, and soft-tissue and orthopedic surgery tailored to exotic patients.

If you have questions about your exotic pet’s health or would like to book a visit with Dr. Vandenbruggen, please call us at 506-387-4015.

Meet Our Exotic Pet Veterinarian

Dr. Vandenbruggen built her career around exotic patients from the start. After growing up with many exotic pets, she focused her veterinary training on exotic animal medicine, completed international externships with a wide range of species, and then pursued a zoological medicine internship in Belgium followed by a specialty internship and a three-year residency in exotic companion animal medicine and surgery at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine. She stayed on with the Zoo, Exotics and Wildlife Service for an additional year as a clinical supervisor, providing advanced medical and surgical care while training students and interns.

 

She is board-eligible and in the final stages of specialization in exotic companion animal medicine and surgery. Her work centers on preventive care, advanced diagnostics, internal medicine, dentistry, and soft-tissue and orthopedic surgery for exotic species. At home she lives with Artemis, a Rex rabbit who also serves as the clinic’s blood donor, Athena the cockatoo, and Rainbow the fennec fox, an experience that shapes her understanding of the unique bond owners share with these animals and her commitment to individualized, compassionate care.

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Companion Exotic Animal Services

Preventive & Wellness Care

Routine and new-pet exams, senior care, preventive screening, and weight-management plans.

Nutrition

Diet evaluation, species-appropriate feeding advice, and nutritional support for chronic conditions.

Husbandry

Guidance on enclosure setup, temperature, humidity, lighting/UVB, substrate, and enrichment.

Additional Services

Behaviour consultations; vaccinations for rabbits, ferrets, and pigs; parasite prevention and screening; microchipping; and avian DNA sexing.

Grooming & Routine Procedures

Beak, nail, hoof, and tusk trims, plus care for overgrown or abnormal beaks, nails, and hooves.

Emergency & Critical Care

24/7 assessment, stabilization, hospitalization, fluids, oxygen, temperature support, assisted feeding, pain management, and wound care.
Common emergencies include GI stasis, obstruction, urinary stones, trauma, toxin exposure, and egg binding.

Diagnostics

Blood work (CBC, biochemistry, and specialized testing), X-rays, ultrasound, endoscopy, CT, fecal and parasite screening, cytology, urinalysis, culture, biopsy, and histopathology.

Infectious Disease Testing

PBFD, avian bornavirus, Agamid Atadenovirus-1, Encephalitozoon cuniculi, and other species-specific tests when indicated.

Medical Care

Diagnosis and long-term management of GI, respiratory, skin and feather, urinary, reproductive, liver, kidney, endocrine, neurologic, and eye conditions, with follow-up and quality-of-life assessments.

Reproductive & Hormonal Care

Reproductive consults and treatment of related disorders, including chronic egg laying and deslorelin implants when appropriate (such as in ferrets and selected birds).

Surgery

Elective procedures such as spay and neuter, plus soft-tissue and orthopedic surgery, including mass removal, bladder and intestinal surgery, hernia repair, cloacal prolapse and coelomic surgery, reproductive surgery, enucleation, ear canal surgery in rabbits, fracture and beak repair, amputation, and trauma reconstruction.

Dentistry

Oral exams, dental X-rays or head CT when needed, occlusal adjustments and extractions for rabbits and rodents, abscess treatment, scaling and periodontal care (including ferrets, hedgehogs, and pigs), and long-term plans for chronic dental disease.

After-Hours Exotic Care

Exotic pets have always been welcome in our Emergency Department. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to provide emergency and urgent veterinary care when your pet needs it most.

While our commitment to caring for exotic pets has not changed, the addition of Dr. Jessie Vandenbruggen and our dedicated Exotic Animal Medicine service has enhanced the care available to exotic animals in our community and surrounding areas. Through expanded training, resources, and specialized equipment, we are better equipped than ever to meet the unique needs of reptiles, birds, small mammals, fish, and other exotic species.

If you are concerned that your pet may be experiencing a medical emergency, please call us at 506-387-4015 or come directly to our Emergency Department. Our experienced veterinary team will assess your pet and provide the care they need, with access to advanced exotic medicine expertise when required.

Appointment Information

Appointment Length: 50 minutes

Appointment Booking

We offer multiple appointment booking pathways, including:

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