Avian and Exotic Clinic of Monterey

06/02/2026

We had an emergency surgery yesterday with Arlo, who needed a liver lobe removed He’s feeling much better now!

LIVER LOBE TORSION – Part 2

BIOCHEMISTRY - You may see inconsistent findings here, the commonly agreed upon answer is anemia . Other potential changes include liver enzymes – ALT, ALP and AST, none of which are liver specific, but multiple elevated liver enzymes suggest liver disease.
You may see other changes, though they won’t point directly to liver disease.

ULTRASOUND - You may see an enlarged liver (hepatomegaly), rounded liver margins, free fluid and abnormal heterogeneous appearance of the liver.
It is worth ruling out your other main differential, gut stasis, by performing abdominal x-rays. You may see an enlarged or displaced liver here too!

RADIOGRAPHS – A type of radiation used to create a picture of the inside of the body.

COMPUTERIZE TOMOGRAPHIC (CT) – Scan combines a series of X-ray images taken from different angles around the body and uses computer processing to create cross-sectional images (slices) of the bones, blood vessels and soft tissues inside the body.

TREATMENT - Surgical removal of the affected lobe is an option, and may be necessary! Make sure to ligate or isolate the lobe before removal! Other supportive care (with or without surgery) will include fluid therapy, analgesia and antibiotics.

PROGNOSIS - The prognosis is usually good IF treated promptly! Your vet should stabilize your rabbit by assertively providing supportive care and check out the liver!

(Your Action – Ask your vet about ultrasounds for this and other conditions!)

📖
🐰❤️














While we try to ensure information we share is accurate, we do not guarantee it. We are not vets. You should always contact your rabbit savvy vet.

05/11/2026

Today’s boarding enrichment: fresh loquats
From tree to bird some of boarders were obsessed, while others… not so much. Either way we had some entertaining reactions!

04/21/2026

Foraging toys aren’t just enrichment—they’re essential for your bird’s mental health. In the wild, birds spend hours searching for food, so giving them ways to “work” for treats keeps them engaged, reduces boredom, and helps prevent unwanted behaviors.

The best part? You don’t need to spend a fortune on fancy toys. You can easily make your own using things you already have at home—paper towel rolls, cardboard boxes, coffee filters, or even clean scrap paper. A little creativity goes a long way!

Keep it simple, switch things up often, and watch your bird thrive. Would you like us to share some easy DIY tutorials? 👀

04/07/2026

Meet Rafael. A 10 month old Keel billed toucan that came in for an injured leg. Radiographs revealed a fractured femur on one side, and on the other, a chronic hip dislocation that’s remodeled over time into a pseudo-joint.
Swipe to the radiographs.

03/23/2026

Early bird said “screw the worm” and went straight for a Starbucks

*Disclaimer: there was never any coffee in the cup. There is, however, a nutriberry out there Zeus absolutely should be foraging for*

03/17/2026

Meet Pascal. This chameleon present to us for possible Metabolic Bone disease (MBD). A quick radiograph showed she had a little more going on!
Female veiled chameleon are well known for becoming gravid and Pascal was no different. Unfortunately the only solution to this issue in chameleons is an ovariectomy (spay).
Pascal did undergo the surgery, and we’re relieved to share that the procedure itself was a success. She is currently recovering with where she is being closely monitored and given the time and support she needs to heal. Reptile recoveries can be delicate and slow, but so far she is stable and showing encouraging signs. We’re hopeful that Pascal with make a full recovery and find her forever hope!

03/15/2026

POV: Your wild… but still believe in healthcare
This native Long-Tailed weasel wandered into our clinic. Luckily, he checked out in perfect health and was returned to the wild.

Fun fact: Long-tailed weasels are fearless hunters and can take down prey larger than themselves, including rabbits!!

03/05/2026

CELEBRITY ALERT‼️
Our very own Dr. got to meet the fruit loops toucan

VetTok VetLife ExoticVet AvianVet BirdTok AnimalReels ExplorePage TrendingReels WildlifeRescue VetMed AnimalCare

02/27/2026

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVBwOkJgrZr/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

02/23/2026

Meet Hercules. This beautiful Red-Eared Slider is 28 years old and regularly seen because she’s gravid (carrying eggs). After nearly three decades, her care is still ongoing — proper UVB lighting, balanced nutrition, nesting space, strong filtration, and routine veterinary visits are all part of keeping her healthy.

She’s grown significantly over the years and is truly the perfect ambassador for her species — big, thriving, and a living example of just how long these turtles can live with proper care.

It’s important to remember that the tiny baby turtle you see at the pet store doesn’t stay tiny. They grow significantly bigger, require large aquatic enclosures, and can live 20–40+ years. What fits in the palm of your hand today can become a decades-long commitment with specialized care needs.
Before purchasing that baby turtle, double think it.

Research. Prepare. Commit for life.