Centre for Avian, Reptiles and Exotics

13/08/2026

Dr Coetzee taking a very special patient for a chest scan, travelling in style with EarthPet Dignified Farewells’s electric vehicle. 🐾⚡️💚

Special patients deserve special transport.

31/07/2026

Tomorrow we officially enter our 9th year as CARE.

Thank you to every client who has trusted us with their pets over the years. It has been a privilege to care for them, celebrate the successes, and support families through the difficult moments.

A special thank you to my incredible team. Your dedication, compassion and hard work have shaped CARE into what it is today. I am incredibly grateful to have shared this journey with you.

Here’s to many more years…

…with absolutely no evidence that I’m cuddling my patients.

28/07/2026

We have a new website! Go have a look!

Expert veterinary care for birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, rats, mice and reptiles

28/07/2026

📢 Practice Notice | Temporary Closure

Please note that CARE will be closed for veterinary consultations from 27 August to 6 September, while Dr Coetzee is away.

Our team will continue to be available during this time to assist with:
• Collection of medications
• Purchase of food and supplies
• Boarding admissions and collections

If your pet requires veterinary attention during this period, our staff will be happy to assist and refer you to an appropriate veterinary practice if needed.

To avoid any inconvenience, we encourage clients to schedule any routine consultations, health checks, beak or nail trims, and other non-urgent appointments before 27 August.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support. We look forward to seeing you again from 7 September.

21/07/2026

Meet Ougat. 🦜

Ougat was accidentally stepped on by her owner and sustained a fracture to her foot. She initially received treatment elsewhere before presenting to CARE two weeks later for a second opinion.

At her first consultation, she was clearly painful and uncomfortable. Clinical examination and radiographs confirmed an unstable fracture. After discussing the available options, Dr Coetzee elected to manage the injury conservatively with a custom-made “moonboot” splint and appropriate pain relief, aiming to provide stability while allowing the fracture to continue healing.

At her recheck today, Ougat is comfortably weight-bearing and using the affected foot normally.

Every fracture is unique, and successful management depends on the type of injury, the stage of healing, and the individual patient. This case is a great reminder that careful assessment, appropriate pain management, and tailored treatment can make a remarkable difference to both comfort and function.

18/07/2026

Just two 38 year olds.

This week, Dr Coetzee celebrated his birthday. He’s known Fanie for most of his life, making moments like these all the more special.

16/07/2026

❤️

08/07/2026

On the road to Vetscape with one of my patients for an echocardiogram, travelling quietly in the EarthPet Dignified Farewells electric car. ⚡

An echocardiogram is an ultrasound scan of the heart. Unlike an X ray, which shows the size and shape of the heart, an echocardiogram allows us to watch the heart beating in real time. It lets us assess the heart muscle, valves, blood flow, and how effectively the heart is pumping.

This information is invaluable when diagnosing heart disease, investigating heart murmurs, monitoring known cardiac conditions, or helping determine the safest treatment plan.

Providing advanced care often means working closely with trusted specialists, ensuring our patients receive the very best diagnostics available.

06/07/2026

Ever wondered what your exotic vet wears after hours? 👀

Spoiler… sometimes it’s a dressing gown.

Critical patients don’t stick to business hours, and neither do I.

I live on the premises, which means when a bird, rabbit, reptile, or small mammal needs me overnight, I’m only a few steps away, not a drive away.

Choosing an exotic animal vet isn’t just about who sees your pet during the day. It’s about who is there when everyone else has gone home.

Yes… the dressing gown is part of the emergency uniform. 😉🦜🐇🦎

06/07/2026

Your bird can’t tell you when something is wrong.

By the time many birds show signs of illness, they may already be seriously unwell. Preventative healthcare is one of the best investments you can make in your bird’s long-term health.

That’s why we created the CARE Avian Wellness Plan.

Designed exclusively for birds, our membership plans provide comprehensive preventative healthcare together with valuable veterinary benefits throughout the year.

✔ Regular veterinary health examinations
✔ Routine nail and beak care
✔ In-house laboratory testing and X-rays included*
✔ No annual financial limits on your plan benefits
✔ Predictable monthly payments with no surprise veterinary bills

Our goal is simple: to help detect disease earlier, support better long-term health, and make high-quality avian veterinary care more accessible throughout the year.

Because great medicine shouldn’t begin when your bird becomes sick. It should begin long before.

To learn more about the CARE Avian Wellness Plan, visit our website or speak to our team.

📍 CARE | Centre for Avian, Reptiles & Exotics
📞 021 023 1193
🌐 https://vet-care.co.za/avian-wellness-plan/

*Benefits vary depending on the membership plan selected.