Pocket Pet Care
Here at Belmont Veterinary Centre we provide general veterinary care for the pocket pets of Geelong, including rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, rats, and birds. While we are not exotic animal specialists, our experienced team can assist with a wide range of services, from health checks and vaccinations to dental care, medical treatments and surgical procedures. If your pet requires advanced or specialist care, we can guide you on the best referral options.
Your small pets deserve big care.
Our Services Include
- Vaccinations
- Nutrition Advice
- Dental Care
- Desexing
- Parasite Management
Nutrition
- Rabbits are herbivores and need a diet high in fibre to maintain good digestive health and dental wear.
- Their diet should consist of:
- Unlimited access to high-quality grass hay (Timothy, Oaten, Wheaten, Pasture, or Meadow hays).
- A variety of fresh leafy greens (bok choy, basil, parsley, dandelion, endive, and coriander).
- A small portion of high-quality rabbit pellets (such as Oxbow).
- Avoid high-sugar and high-starch foods like carrots, fruit, or grains.
- Fresh water should always be available.
- Guinea pigs are herbivores that require a high-fiber diet to maintain dental and gut health.
- They must receive a dietary source of Vitamin C, as they cannot produce it naturally.
- They should be provided with unlimited grass hay and fresh leafy vegetables.
- Ferrets are obligate carnivores and require a high-protein diet.
- Hills Science Diet cat/dog food is a suitable commercial diet, but should also be supplemented with fresh meat and eggs.
- They can also develop dental disease due to tartar and gingivitis.
- They are omnivores and should be provided with a combination of fresh fruits, vegetables, and high-quality rat pellets.
- Avoid feeding them seed/grain mixes, as these can lead to obesity and malnutrition.
Vaccination Protocol
- Rabbits in Australia should be vaccinated against Calicivirus (Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus – RHDV). We recommend an initial at 10 weeks of age, followed by a booster 4 weeks later, then annual boosters.
- There are two types of RHDV present in Australia (RHDV1 and RHDV2). So it’s essential to discuss with our vets which vaccine protocol best suits your rabbit.
No vaccinations are recommended.
- We recommend Ferrets are vaccinated for distemper. We recommend an initial vaccination at 8 weeks, 12 weeks, and 16 weeks of age.
- A booster is required every 12 months.
No vaccinations are recommended.
Desexing
- We recommend desexing rabbits from 4-6 months of age.
- Desexing reduces the risk of reproductive cancers (which are very common in female rabbits) and helps manage unwanted behaviours such as aggression and territorial marking.
- Male rabbits (bucks) can still be fertile for several weeks after desexing, so care should be taken when reintroducing them to females.
- Guinea pigs may be desexed at 5-6 months of age.
- A female guinea pig should not have her first litter after 6 months of age, as her pelvic bones become fused, which can cause problems with labor.
The decision whether to desex a ferret or not is more complicated than in our other common pet species due to their unique reproductive cycle and response to changes in hormone levels. Female ferrets are known as induced ovulators, which means that when they are in heat, they can remain so until they are mated (up to 50% of females). An ongoing heat can lead to a toxic level of oestrogen building up in their system, which can result in a fatal anaemia developing. On the other hand, surgically speying a female ferret to remove their ability to produce oestrogen, particularly if performed at a young age, can increase their risk of developing adrenal gland disease.
Male ferrets do not have the same issue as females regarding persistent heats and oestrogen toxicity, but they can also suffer from adrenal gland disease if surgically castrated, especially early in life. Leaving them entire however, can lead to them having increased aggression towards other ferrets and (sometimes their handlers!) and an increase in their distinctive musky odour.
In working ferrets housed in a group situation, another option available is to have male ferrets vasectomised. This means the males are no longer fertile but can mate with the females and prevent persistent heats. They will, however still show typical, male ferret, aggressive behaviours and have increased odour production.
What is adrenal gland disease?
Adrenal gland disease refers to an increased production of hormones coming from the adrenal gland that may be from a benign or a malignant growth on the gland. Affected ferrets can experience hair loss, increased aggression, a swollen vulva in females or straining to urinate in males.
A preferable option to surgical desexing, particularly in the first few years of life, can be the use of a medical sterilisation implant containing a slow-release hormone called deslorelin. This allows for the benefits of desexing-sterilisation to prevent unwanted pregnancies, decreased musky odour and decreased aggression, without the increased risk of adrenal gland disease developing later in life. This implant is inserted under the skin, like a microchip, often with only light sedation required and can last approximately 12 months (with individual variations being anywhere from 9-18 months) before it needs to be repeated.
If you have any questions regarding what to do with your ferret, please contact our clinic, and we would be happy to organise a time for our vets to chat to you!
- It’s recommended to desex rats from 12 weeks of age.
- Castration of male rats from 12 weeks can decrease urine marking behaviours and scent.
Parasite Management
- Rabbits can be affected by external parasites like mites and fleas.
- We recommend Revolution (selamectin) as a safe topical treatment, but only under veterinary guidance.
- Lice and mites are common in guinea pigs, often picked up from hay or new guinea pigs.
- Topical Revolution is recommended, but a vet should confirm the correct dosage.
- Ferrets can have advocate applied for prevention of fleas and worms.
- Heartworm prevention is recommended in at risk areas – around Geelong we are at minimal risk but regular advocate application is recommended should you travel with your ferret.
We're here for you and your pocket pet
To book an appointment or if you have any questions – please do not hesitate to contact us.
