Monday-Friday: 8.30am-6pm
Saturday: 9am-5pm
Sunday: 9am-3pm
Public Holidays: Closed
Our Services
General Health Check
Vaccinations
Microchipping
Surgery and Anaesthesia
Sterilisation (Desexing)
Dentistry
General Health Check
Keeping unusual pets can be a fascinating and rewarding experience. However, it is important to ensure that your pet is healthy and that their husbandry requirements are met.
Unfortunately, there is a great deal of misinformation about exotic pets. Many people need to be made aware of the unique needs of exotic pet care. Our veterinary practice is among the few that have experience and expertise in the healthcare and husbandry needs of extraordinary animals.
Vaccinations
To prevent the spread of deadly diseases, ensure that your pet receives its vaccinations on schedule. Vaccinations involve giving your pet a small injection under the skin; this method allows the body to become familiar with the inactivated disease particles so that if an exposure occurs, the body can fight off the disease.
We routinely vaccinate rabbits and ferrets in our local clinics and recommend it as an important part of their preventative health program.
Microchipping
Microchipping your exotic pet is the safest and most reliable form of permanent identification. The microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and stores a unique code connected to your information. This code is then registered in the national registry so that if your pet gets lost, it can be quickly reunited with you.
Surgery and Anaesthesia
Surgery is often necessary to treat a range of diseases that affect exotic pets. We reduce the risks of anaesthesia as much as possible to ensure a comfortable, safe and smooth procedure for your pet. The patients we see are unique, and having the right anaesthetic equipment and surgical knowledge is essential for optimal patient outcomes and a smooth and comfortable recovery.
Sterilisation (Desexing)
Sterilisation (otherwise known as desexing or neutering) is recommended for many exotic pets to prevent a variety of illnesses, health problems and behavioural issues later in life.
We recommend that rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs and rats be routinely desexed to prevent various issues. In some cases, sterilising your reptile or bird is also indicated for preventing some diseases.
Dentistry
Our pet dental care checks for rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets and dragons are provided using specialised equipment that allows us to carry out a wide range of dental procedures on exotic pets to stop the buildup of dental disease and to treat impacted, overgrown, infected, and abscessed teeth. We highly recommend regular dental checks to keep plaque and tartar buildup to a minimum.
Sexing
Nail Clipping
Wing Clipping
Beak Corrections
Faecal Testing
Laboratory Testing & Diagnostic Imaging
Sexing
When people own multiple pets, they often need to determine the sex of their animals so that they can avoid breeding or allow breeding to occur. There are many different methods used to determine the sex of a pet, and these methods depend on the age and species of the animal.
Nail Clipping
We provide services for regular nail clipping for rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, many birds, some reptiles, and some rats. These pets, particularly those kept indoors, often don’t wear down their nails as they would if they were out in the wild. Nail clipping is a necessary and highly recommended practice that can prevent sharp, overgrown nails and painful curling.
Wing Clipping
Wing clipping is a service that requires careful consideration, which is why we suggest you talk to your avian veterinarian about the reasons you are clipping the wings, and what outcome you are hoping to achieve. We provide free wing-clipping with a health check consultation, or we can do it alone for a small fee.
Beak Corrections
Our beak correction procedure is second to none – we use a specialised burr that mimics natural erosion to gently and accurately sculpt the beak to its ideal state, where the top and bottom beaks meet in perfect alignment. With this technique, you can be sure that you are getting the best care for your bird!
Faecal Testing
We understand how important it is to accurately assess a pet’s health. As such, we offer four different types of faecal tests: a faecal gram stain, a faecal wet preparation, a faecal suspension, and a faecal float. By performing these tests together, we can get a more comprehensive overview of any issues your pet may be facing.
Laboratory Testing & Diagnostic Imaging
Our clinics are equipped with state-of-the-art laboratory and imaging technology, making diagnosing your pet’s health issues quickly and more efficient. These cutting-edge tools allow us to quickly and accurately assess your pet’s health, providing peace of mind and ensuring that your pet receives the proper care and treatment they need.
Dr Hamish Baron is one of a small handful of specialist avian veterinarians in Australia. He moved from New Zealand to study veterinary science at the University of Queensland, …
Since getting her cockatiel as a child, Kiara has dreamed of being an exotics vet. She focused her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine placements on exotic animals to gain as much exp…
Dr Shane Simpson is well known amongst the reptile keeping community as “The Reptile Doctor” and brings his wealth of experience in the field of reptile and amphibian medici…
Dr Michelle is also one of only a few vets in Australia to hold a Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice (CertAVP) in Zoological Medicine, obtained through the Royal Colleg…
Dr Amber Lee (She/Her) BVSc, DABVP (Avian Practice) In 2012, Dr Amber made the huge move to the USA, where she undertook a one-year rotating internship at VCA Advanced Veterinary C…
Dr Christina Karagiorgis BSc, DVM, GD-VPLM Dr Christina or you can call her Chris, grew up in Melbourne’s North, where all sorts of unusual pets and wildlife surrounded her. …
Practice Manager Erin (She/Her) APVN(exotics), DipVNZS, Cert IV, RVN Erin’s journey in veterinary care started in 2011 at a general practice vet clinic, where she completed h…
Vet Nurse Alianna CVN, BVT, RVT, AVPN (exotics), AVNAT, CertAqVNT Alianna graduated Massey University with a Bachelor of Veterinary Technology degree in 2015 before moving to Melbo…
Vet Nurse Leonie (They/Them) Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing, APVN (Exotics), RVN Leonie has been working in general practice vet clinics since 2010, later completing th…
Vet Nurse Taylah Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing Taylah is a dedicated Veterinary Nurse with a passion for providing exceptional care to all animals. Her journey in the …
Veterinary Nurse Gretel has a passion for improving standards of care for rabbits. She has presented on the topic of Rabbit Bonding at the UPAV conference in Darwin 2022 and mor…
Meet Taryn, Veterinary Nurse DipVNZS APVNZoo, RVN Taryn has always had a passion for animals and decided to make a career out of it. They say that if you love your work, you never …
Veterinary Nurse, Hayley DVN, RVN, CAM (Captive Wild Animals), APVN (Avian) Hayley was born and raised in New Zealand. She completed her tertiary studies in Auckland and began her …
Vet Nurse Astin Certificate II Animal Studies Astin’s passion for animals aspired from childhood growing up surrounded by animals including dogs, cats, rabbits and an aviary …
Vet Nurse Paityn Certificate II in Animal Studies, Certificate IV in Veterinary Nursing Paityn commenced working at The Unusual Pet Vets in 2019 when she was old enough to wo…
Trainee Vet Nurse Sabrina Certificate II Zoo Keeping, Trained in Wildlife, Wildfire and Oiled Wildlife Emergency Response Sabrina began her journey in the animal industry by first …
Daniel has always loved animals and has been drawn toward exotic pets. Daniel started his career as a shelter animal attendant, then moved into general practice and emergency ve…
Trainee Vet Nurse Amy Amy started with The Unusual Pet Vets Peninsula in 2021 as a kennel hand. Since then, she has moved into a trainee nursing and reception role. Since she was y…
Animal Attendant Mishaela Mishaela, affectionately known as Shayla, has been a member of our Unusual Pet Vets Peninsula team since 2019. She embarked on her journey with us as a ke…
Based in Frankston, VIC, our Peninsula clinic has been operating since 2018 and is equipped to treat a wide variety of unusual and exotic pets for the greater Melbourne metro area.
Our clinic provides diagnosis, treatment, and expert care for a wide range of exotic pets, including birds, reptiles, mice and rats, amphibians, insects, ferrets and rabbits and guinea pigs.
We provide superior veterinary care in a clean and friendly environment with a highly skilled team of veterinarians, nurses, and support staff, offering your exotic pet the highest standard of treatment with a caring touch.
Comprehensive care from experienced veterinarians, nurses, and staff fully qualified to care for your pet.
We provide health care, nutrition, and husbandry information to increase the longevity and happiness of your exotic pet.
Our Peninsula clinic is equipped and supported by on-site, state-of-the-art laboratory, surgical and anaesthesia facilities and advanced diagnostic equipment including a CT.
We are experts in the rare and unusual pet field, and we provide various services to keep these pets healthy and happy.
Testimonials
A Great Vet For Exotic Pets
It’s a great vet for exotic pets, we would like to thank Dr Kiara and the nurses for all the help they have done for the bunnies especially when they have been unwell.
Gretel – Thankyou for all the tips and advice on what and what not to do with the bunnies.
We will definitely be recommending to all our exotic animal friends.
Jayde Darton
5 Stars All The Way!
Fantastic vets! Staff are so helpful and friendly. Vet’s are brilliant, they show so much love and compassion to our animals. 5 stars all the way!!
Nayre Manookain
Client – Peninsula
Every single person I spoke to both on the phone and in person was knowledgeable and patient in answering questions I had. In person, everyone there was clearly skilled and comfortable handling my lizard and helped to easily resolve the concerns I was having both immediately, and via advice for long term care. I cannot recommend enough booking in here if you need care for an animal that is not a cat or dog.
Hazel
Client – Peninsula
After my rat developed an abscess, I took her there. They are caring and amazing people! They took the time to explain everything they were going to do and the poor nurse who had to answer all of my questions after she’d given me after care instructions was patient and kind to me no question was too hard, and she made it clear there were no stupid questions. Even the way they interact with each other, you can tell they truly care. My only very minor gripe is the long drive time to their office. If you could open an office in the northern suburbs that would be amazing!! We need some high-quality rat vets up here!T
TK Butterfly
Client – Peninsula
Highly recommend Unusual Pet Vet the staff at the Peninsula clinic are so lovely and kind along with having amazing knowledge. I cannot thank them enough for their skills and kindness they show all animals. Huge thanks to the whole team!
Emma Louisse Allen
Client – Peninsula
I have only just started taking my budgie and cockatiel to UPV Frankston and I honestly can only give positive feedback. The staff are lovely, approachable and know their stuff. To have a vet compliment me on how well cared for my budgie is was very much appreciated.
General Health Check
Vaccinations
Microchipping
Surgery and Anaesthesia
Sterilisation (Desexing)
Dentistry
Sexing
Nail Clipping
Wing Clipping
Beak Corrections
Faecal Testing
Laboratory Testing & Diagnostic Imaging
