If necessary, I would also survive the fish

Offered to buy another

When the vast majority of veterinary studies are selected to treat cats, dogs or farm animals, Eve decided to go on trails in Lithuania. She has firmly knew that she would be an exotic animal doctor since her first year.

« My customers are the most amazing. I am counting on a preliminary estimate of treatment, and they tell me, no matter. They don’t regret 200-300 euros for treating a rat or parrot. Even dog or cat owners often disagree with such preliminary prices, Plungytė.

It was this veterinary direction to be chosen by an incident in adolescence. At the age of fifteen, Eve raised a ribbon parrot. They were indistinguishable: the parrot was able to get comfortable to sit in Eve in the back, so she slept together, the girl walked with her not only in the yard, but also raised the smiles of those around her while visiting the market. However, in the first year of cultivation, the parrot became ill and Eve began seeking help urgently.

« I did not find a veterinarian in Kaunas, Vilnius or Klaipėda. I was only adopted at Kaunas Zoo, but I was very surprised when a veterinarian advised me to feed the parrot with natural yogurt and mince. While still a child, I realized it was inadequate treatment. The handbag and just went out.

At home, Eve was waiting for another pet – Jacques parrot Brruknė. Just the idea that the same fate can occur in it is the skin. « She was a year then. I couldn’t think that something like that could happen, » she adds.

There is no time to get bored

Plungytė had no other way out – the head of the parrots began to take care of herself. Information on the treatment of exotic animals began to search the Internet, translated foreign literature, and bought various books.

While studying veterinary, Eve missed lectures on exotic birds and other pets. Only one lecture was talked about once every six years.

« I didn’t understand why I had so much to learn about cows, not, say, a giraffe – we learned very little exotic animals. Now I tell employers: exotic pets – new dogs and cats.

A certified veterinarian quickly believed that finding a job by vocation is difficult. After working with dogs and cats, he quickly decided to look for a veterinary clinic to work exclusively with exotic animals. She visited a familiar veterinary clinic and told what she would like to take.

« When he heard that I wanted to work with exotic pets, he started a sad speech of the conversation – explaining that there would be no one to raise me in the clinic as a specialist, there are not many exotic patients.

A week later, he contacted an ambitious doctor and said the fateful yes. True, it is hired to work with one condition – not only rabbits, rodents or chameleons, but also kittens and puppies will have to be treated.

Risk: Every day to fight for the lives of various exotic pets, and their treatment is equivalent to the work of medical staff with sick babies. / Photo by I. Plungytė Personal Archive

Arrives from all over Lithuania

It was not a month since Ieva’s starting clinic and her entire schedule was already filled with exotic pets. The best marketing, according to Eve, is from mouth to mouth. Customers recommended the veterinarian to his friends and relatives and were flowed by people from all over Lithuania.

Even more attracted them with a working social network Facebook account that they are using so far. The Account « Exotic Animal Doctor Ieva » has more than 2.5 thousand. followers.

« Today came from Vilnius, yesterday – Šiauliai and Panevėžys, » the doctor says with the ever -expanding geography of clients.

The most common are dental problems

The most common veterinary patients are rabbits. « In the United Kingdom, it is the third most popular home pet. In Lithuania, the situation is similar. Immediately after them, rodents: guinea pigs, rats, hamsters, then parrots and finally reptiles, » says I. Plungytė.

The doctor notes that it is usually referred to by rabbit breeders for their dental problems.

« People do not know how many rabbits have teeth. They have as many as a child – as many as 28. The hosts usually see four front and do not know that it is especially important to take care of all the rabbit teeth. All problems occur due to malnutrition because they eat too little hay. Every three months, the teeth should be shortened.

Built a walker crown

Not only rabbits but also farm birds often find themselves on Eve’s table. Recently, a duck runner, a swan goose, a hen laying hens had to be treated. One client even built a walker for his hen.

« Once upon a time, the man had brought a non -walking crown. I did an x ​​-ray, explaining that a crown needed physiotherapy, and best of all to heal, it would be a walker to heal. He looked at me strangely. For four hours, he walked with Varniuk, the bird healing and began walking independently, ”I. Plungytė shares the incredible story of the friendship of man and Varniukas.

Photo by I. Plungytė Personal Archive

Arrived because of the saddest of the lively

When asked if someone else is surprised, the veterinarian does not hesitate to respond that she saw various patients in practice.

« I was once brought by the livestock because it seemed sad to the host. I have visited the shrimp in the aquarium, infected with parasites. I read the surgery book – I found out that fish can take biopsy, etc.

The veterinarian reminds me of an important rule to turtle growers. People forget that these pets have to visit the veterinarian prophylaxis, and blood and stool testing for parasites must be performed at least every two years.

In addition, the hosts must remember to wash their hands every time they talk to their turtle, as these animals can carry salmonellosis.

I didn’t understand why I had so much to learn about cows, not, say, a giraff – we learned very little about exotic animals.

The hardest part is to report the loss

It is not rarely imagined that exotic pets live shorter than cats or dogs. But Eve dispels this myth. Rabbits can live up to the age of eighteen, parrots 60, and turtles from 25 to 40 years.

True, rats only live up to three years. However, their hosts are sorry for the money to cure these short -lived pets and extend their lives.

« Rats are very intelligent animals. They know how to roll their tail, respond to tickling. The hosts make every effort to heal the sick rats and enjoy their company up to half a year longer. Rats buy therapeutic cages. »

However, the work of a veterinarian is inseparable from bereavement. Treatment of exotic animals is equivalent to the work of medical professionals with sick babies. Not only do they need specific knowledge, but also a lot of careful work, as these animals do not show signs of the disease, no symptoms, which causes veterinarians to fall in critical condition.

« There are times when they die on their hands while going to the cabinet. We were not taught at the university, how to report that the pet did not survive. My mentors have said that it is good when, before leaving a three -month -old rabbit, the client cries. One of the twelve sick rabbits does not survive these procedures, ”says the doctor openly.

Photo by I. Plungytė Personal Archive

Open with customers

The interlocutor does not hide that it took years before he finally learned to accept at least some of the frequent patients’ deaths. He learned to report the painful message to clients while writing languages, and he also consulted with psychologists.

« I recently operated on a rabbit and have already seen his condition very bad. Even before the surgery, I invited his host to say goodbye. She spent 40 minutes to him. Surprisingly, it is easier for me to blame me rather than themselves. I do not receive any complaints at all.

True, the vet remembered the only case where, when the operating table extinguished the life of the operating table, she was cursed by the client.

Weakness – parrots

I. Plungytė is still a long way to be called an exotic animal doctor and is now taking even stronger steps – she is currently studying at the European College of Zoological Medicine and specializing in bird treatment.

After completing these studies, one of the few in Europe will become such a high qualification in the treatment of exotic animals.

« Parrots – my weakness – smiles widely by pointing to a tattoo on a hand that depicts this bird. I will not realize the scientific article and have passed the theoretical and practical exam.

A specialist can be called anything

Eve is puzzling that any veterinarian in Lithuania may publish a specialist in a particular narrow field, although they do not even have the appropriate education.

« Someone thinks he is a specialist in dog eyes or exotic animals, although it has no diploma to prove it. In other countries, it is illegal because it misleads people, » she believes.

In addition to the aforementioned studies, Eve belongs to the Association of Veterinarians of Birds, and was actively involved in the activities of reptiles and amphibians.

« All my studies and activities still prevent me from saying that I am an expert in exotic animals, although some of my students who graduated last year are already called professionals. It is really surprising to me because this area is exceptional, » said I. Plungytė, a veterinarian.