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Stahl Exotic Animal Veterinary Services
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Rabbit Body Score | Guinea Pig Body Score |
Rabbit Body Score
Guinea Pig Body Score
Ferret Adrenal Disease and Deslorelin Implants
Adrenal disease is a very common problem in pet ferrets and may affect up to 95% of the pet ferret population. It occurs in neutered or spayed ferrets, with signs typically seen around 3 to 4 years of age (but even as early as 2 years).The disease occurs as a result of the routine neutering and spaying of ferrets, which is required for them to adapt as household pets. Once ferrets have been “sterilized” (regardless of their age at the time of surgery) the adrenal glands, over time, will become receptive to sex hormones that are still produced by the pituitary gland. These activated receptors on the adrenal gland then trigger the production of high levels of feminizing hormones from the adrenal gland. The onset of this trigger (or adrenal response) is variable among individual ferrets, but if a ferret lives long enough, it will eventually be affected by this disease. Once the hormones are elevated, we then see the symptoms that cause the clinical syndrome known as adrenal gland disease in ferrets. Common signs include fur loss, itching, swelling to genitalia, increased aggression, and increased drinking and urination.
Adrenal disease can be both prevented and treated with hormonal therapy, especially if therapy is started early in life. If therapy is delayed and initiated at the onset of disease, pre-cancerous or cancerous changes to the adrenal gland may have already occurred. In these cases, the disease is more difficult to treat and may require surgery. The most effective hormonal therapy for treating this disease is the Deslorelin implant. This slow-release hormone implant is placed underneath the skin between the shoulder blades while the animal is anesthetized. Because of the seasonal hormonal cycle, it is best to place implants in the winter months of a ferrets first year of life or any time after a ferret has reached one year of age. In most cases the implant will last up to one year and it is recommended to implant ferrets annually. If you have more questions about adrenal gland disease or would like to get an implant for your ferret, please give the office a call to set up an appointment with one of our veterinarians.
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Rat Mammary and Pituitary TumorsMammary Tumors are the most common tumors in female rats. They can appear as variably sized, round to ovoid masses that are firm and freely movable just beneath the skin. Because mammary tissue in rats is so extensive, these masses can develop anywhere from the neck area to the genital area. Although mammary tumors are more common in female rats, male rats get them too, just not as commonly. Mammary tumors are usually benign, meaning that they don't often spread or cause disease in other organs. They do become quite large, which leads to ulceration, secondary infection and difficulty walking. If unaddressed, these tumors can affect quality of life to the point that euthanasia is recommended. Currently the best treatment available is surgical removal. It is important to understand that even if one tumor is removed, others can occur in the same area or another area and surgery may be indicated again in the future. Because mammary tumors develop due to hormones like estrogen and prolactin, the best prevention is ovariohysterectomy. Having the spay procedure before sexual maturity, at 3 months is the most effective. If surgery is not an option, there are a few medical treatments available to help keep your pet comfortable for as the tumors grow. Ask your veterinarian to review these options with you. | Reptile Cloacal ProlapseCloacal prolapse in any reptile is an emergency. The tissue that prolapses can become devitalized and die off very quickly if it is not replaced within the body. There are many causes of cloacal prolapse including: infection, dystocia, abnormal eggs, constipation, metabolic derangements, parasites, foreign bodies, and many others. Since there are so many causes for prolapse it is very important to have your animal examined by a veterinarian and have a full work up to determine the cause. Treatment of a cloacal prolapse usually involves sedation with pain management to replace the tissue. The prognosis for recovery is variable depending on what tissue prolapses, how long it is prolapsed and why it prolapsed. | Avian DiarrheaDiarrhea is the abnormally increased frequency, liquidity, or volume of feces. How do you identify diarrhea in an avian patient? Diarrhea occurs when the fecal portion of the dropping(the brown/green portion) is loose or liquid. If you are seeing extra urine(clear/yellowish liquid), in a dropping that is called polyurea. There are different reasons for polyurea to occur. Some common reasons for diarrhea include: bacterial or viral infections, parasites, recent change in diet, or even stress. Fecal testing is a vital tool to try to pinpoint the cause. Often a fecal gram stain or fecal float is recommended to check for possible bacterial or parasite infections. Sometimes the bird is having other clinical signs such as lethargy, dehydration, or inappetence in addition to diarrhea. In those cases a more in-depth work up may be required, which could include bloodwork or an x-ray. Most cases of diarrhea are treated as an outpatient case. But if a bird is very sick and/or significantly dehydrated, then hospitalization may be required until they are feeling well again. Contact us today to schedule an examination if you think you bird has been having diarrhea or abnormal droppings. |
Rat Mammary and Pituitary Tumors
Mammary Tumors are the most common tumors in female rats. They can appear as variably sized, round to ovoid masses that are firm and freely movable just beneath the skin. Because mammary tissue in rats is so extensive, these masses can develop anywhere from the neck area to the genital area. Although mammary tumors are more common in female rats, male rats get them too, just not as commonly.
Mammary tumors are usually benign, meaning that they don't often spread or cause disease in other organs. They do become quite large, which leads to ulceration, secondary infection and difficulty walking. If unaddressed, these tumors can affect quality of life to the point that euthanasia is recommended.
Currently the best treatment available is surgical removal. It is important to understand that even if one tumor is removed, others can occur in the same area or another area and surgery may be indicated again in the future.
Because mammary tumors develop due to hormones like estrogen and prolactin, the best prevention is ovariohysterectomy. Having the spay procedure before sexual maturity, at 3 months is the most effective.
If surgery is not an option, there are a few medical treatments available to help keep your pet comfortable for as the tumors grow. Ask your veterinarian to review these options with you.
Reptile Cloacal Prolapse
Cloacal prolapse in any reptile is an emergency. The tissue that prolapses can become devitalized and die off very quickly if it is not replaced within the body.
There are many causes of cloacal prolapse including: infection, dystocia, abnormal eggs, constipation, metabolic derangements, parasites, foreign bodies, and many others. Since there are so many causes for prolapse it is very important to have your animal examined by a veterinarian and have a full work up to determine the cause.
Treatment of a cloacal prolapse usually involves sedation with pain management to replace the tissue. The prognosis for recovery is variable depending on what tissue prolapses, how long it is prolapsed and why it prolapsed.
Avian Diarrhea
Diarrhea is the abnormally increased frequency, liquidity, or volume of feces. How do you identify diarrhea in an avian patient? Diarrhea occurs when the fecal portion of the dropping(the brown/green portion) is loose or liquid. If you are seeing extra urine(clear/yellowish liquid), in a dropping that is called polyurea. There are different reasons for polyurea to occur.
Some common reasons for diarrhea include: bacterial or viral infections, parasites, recent change in diet, or even stress. Fecal testing is a vital tool to try to pinpoint the cause. Often a fecal gram stain or fecal float is recommended to check for possible bacterial or parasite infections.
Sometimes the bird is having other clinical signs such as lethargy, dehydration, or inappetence in addition to diarrhea. In those cases a more in-depth work up may be required, which could include bloodwork or an x-ray.
Most cases of diarrhea are treated as an outpatient case. But if a bird is very sick and/or significantly dehydrated, then hospitalization may be required until they are feeling well again.
Contact us today to schedule an examination if you think you bird has been having diarrhea or abnormal droppings.
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Ferret Gastrointestinal Foreign BodiesBy Dr Ashley Pacheco A foreign body is an object or piece of extraneous matter that has entered the body by accident or design. Young ferrets, under the age of three, have a tendency to eat and chew on things like bedding, blankets, foam toys, TV remote buttons, plastic, etc. It is important for owners to watch them closely when they are out of the cage and to check their blankets and toys often for signs of chewing. Older ferrets tend to lose their interest in chewing things and are more likely to become blocked with a hairball, or trichobezoar. Note we say "most". Please still monitor your ferret closely when it is out of the cage because occasionally they don;t grow out of the chewing phase! Hair collects in their stomach due to normal grooming and becomes a ball that cannot pass through the thin GI Tract. Signs of GI Foreign body include lethargy, lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, pawing at the mouth , weight loss and weakness. The good news is gastrointestinal foreign body, when caught early, can be treated with medical and/or surgical intervention with a very good prognosis. | Rhinitis/Sinusitis in The Avian Patient By Dr. Susan Baley Rhinitis and sinusitis is inflammation of the nares, nasal passages, and sinuses. Any parrot can be affected, but it is more commonly seen in cockatiels, budgies, african greys parrots. This can be caused by a variety of things including: bacterial or fungal infections, allergens, low vitamin A due to eating an all-seed diet, or poor air quality in their home environment. Common signs to look for include: swelling around the eyes, nasal or ocular discharge, sneezing, coughing, or appearing fluffed and lethargic. This is usually a treatable condition with some oral or topical medications and changes to their husbandry. If you think your bird may be having signs of rhinitis or sinusitis, please make an appointment with one of our veterinarians for a consultation today. | Don't kiss that chicken! (Or reptile!)Outbreak of Salmonella infection linked to pet chickens! https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/backyardpoultry-05-19/index.html |
Ferret Gastrointestinal Foreign Bodies
By Dr Ashley Pacheco
A foreign body is an object or piece of extraneous matter that has entered the body by accident or design.
Young ferrets, under the age of three, have a tendency to eat and chew on things like bedding, blankets, foam toys, TV remote buttons, plastic, etc. It is important for owners to watch them closely when they are out of the cage and to check their blankets and toys often for signs of chewing.
Older ferrets tend to lose their interest in chewing things and are more likely to become blocked with a hairball, or trichobezoar. Note we say "most". Please still monitor your ferret closely when it is out of the cage because occasionally they don;t grow out of the chewing phase! Hair collects in their stomach due to normal grooming and becomes a ball that cannot pass through the thin GI Tract.
Signs of GI Foreign body include lethargy, lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, pawing at the mouth , weight loss and weakness.
The good news is gastrointestinal foreign body, when caught early, can be treated with medical and/or surgical intervention with a very good prognosis.
Rhinitis/Sinusitis in The Avian Patient
Rhinitis and sinusitis is inflammation of the nares, nasal passages, and sinuses. Any parrot can be affected, but it is more commonly seen in cockatiels, budgies, african greys parrots. This can be caused by a variety of things including: bacterial or fungal infections, allergens, low vitamin A due to eating an all-seed diet, or poor air quality in their home environment. Common signs to look for include: swelling around the eyes, nasal or ocular discharge, sneezing, coughing, or appearing fluffed and lethargic. This is usually a treatable condition with some oral or topical medications and changes to their husbandry. If you think your bird may be having signs of rhinitis or sinusitis, please make an appointment with one of our veterinarians for a consultation today.
Don't kiss that chicken! (Or reptile!)
Outbreak of Salmonella infection linked to pet chickens!
https://www.cdc.gov/salmonella/backyardpoultry-05-19/index.html
Scott J. Stahl, DVM, DABVP-avian
Dr. Stahl graduated from the University of Richmond with a bachelor’s degree in biology in 1985. He went on to earn his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in 1989. He became board certified in avian practice through the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP) in 1996. In addition to working as a clinical veterinarian in practice, Dr. Stahl is currently an adjunct professor of avian and exotic animal medicine at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine.
Stahl Exotic Animal Veterinary Services (SEAVS) was founded by Dr. Stahl in Vienna, VA, in 2003. He had always felt that birds and exotic animals deserved the same quality medicine readily available to more traditional pets, such as dogs and cats. His vision was to establish one of the largest avian and exotic exclusive veterinary specialty practices in the world. In 2009, Dr. Stahl moved SEAVS to a new, state-of-the-art, 5000 square foot facility in Fairfax City, Virginia, to accommodate the growth of the practice and the demand for exotic animal veterinary care in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. Since its inception, SEAVS has grown from just two doctors and a handful of other staff members, to a six doctor practice employing around twenty five technicians, assistants, and receptionists.
Dr. Stahl has personally trained over 200 veterinary students during his three decades of practice. SEAVS has continued this tradition, and its doctors and staff help in the training of both national and international students and veterinarians with a passion for avian and exotic animal medicine. SEAVS has been approved by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP) as a training facility for the avian residency curriculum. The clinic also runs a competitive year-long internship program for licensed veterinarians looking to practice and expand their experience and training in avian and exotic medicine.
As an active academic contributor to the field, Dr. Stahl has written over 150 scientific and popular papers and articles, as well as chapters in various textbooks. In 2019, he co-authored Mader’s Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd edition. He is a renowned lecturer who frequently speaks at both national and international conferences and events. His professional areas of interest and research include endoscopy, endoscopic surgical techniques, ultrasound, and reproductive medicine and surgery.
Dr. Stahl resides in Northern Virginia with his wife and two daughters. His family and the clinic keep him quite busy, but in his free time he enjoys competitive cycling, breeding lizards and snakes, and playing ukulele.
Dr Emily Nielsen - Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Emily Nielsen joined the SEAVS family in 2016 as an intern and has since become an associate veterinarian here. She graduated Summa Cum Laude in Biology and Chemistry from the University of North Texas and Cum Laude from Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, where she published a research paper on ball python reproductive cycles in the Journal of Herpetological Medicine and Surgery.
Dr. Nielsen was born in Canada, but spent the majority of her childhood in Australia prior to her move to the United States in 2006 to attend college. She has had an interest in exotic animals since before she can remember, and was an avid breeder of lovebirds and rainbow lorikeets in Australia. She now has a ball python and boa breeding program, in addition to a menagerie of pets including her two dogs, and a collective of guinea pigs, chickens, rats, mice and a variety of lizard and frog species. Dr. Nielsen feels that owning the exotics she treats is important because it helps her understand the variety of issues that can arise with them from day to day.
When she’s not working at the clinic, Dr Nielsen is an avid outdoorsperson and enjoys hiking, snowboarding, water skiing, and competitive horseback riding in dressage. She also enjoys running and plans to complete one marathon on each of the seven continents!
Currently, Dr. Nielsen is making good progress towards her Board Certification in Exotic Companion Mammal practice and is looking forward to a long career here at SEAVS: “I love the clinic and I love the clients and can’t imagine wanting to work anywhere else”.❤️❤️
We are so lucky that she joined our team and continues to work toward her goals with us here at SEAVS! She is an amazing mentor to our interns and resident and a devoted exotic animal veterinarian.
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Dr. Susan BaleyDr. Susan Baley grew up in southern California. She completed her bachelor’s degree in animal science with an emphasis in poultry management in 2011 from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. Dr. Baley graduated from the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2018. She loves every exotic animal, but has a particular passion for birds of all kinds including parrots, poultry, and raptors. During veterinary school, she worked as zookeeper at the Minnesota Zoo and as a student researcher for the Raptor Center investigating blood clotting and rodenticide poisoning in hawks and owls. She has presented her research on multiple occasions, including at a plenary session of the Association of Avian Veterinarians’ annual conference. Following graduation, she completed a rigorous avian and exotic medicine internship at Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists in Houston, TX where she worked with exotic pets, wildlife, and spent time learning about zoological medicine at the Houston Zoo. Dr. Baley joins the SEAVS team this year to pursue additional focused training in avian medicine by starting her residency in avian practice through the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP). When not taking care of her patients, Dr. Baley enjoys hiking, birdwatching, cooking, reading, traveling, and loves spending time with her fiancé and two cats, Felix and Oriana. | Dr. Currie CarothersDr. Carothers graduated with honors from Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2019, following receiving her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Rhodes College in Memphis Tennessee in 2015. She joins the SEAVS team for a one year intensive internship in exotic animal medicine. Dr. Carothers has loved all wild, weird, and wonderful animals for as long as she can remember, and spent her time in Memphis volunteering in several departments of the Memphis Zoo, including their herpetarium. While in veterinary school, she discovered her passion for avian species through working for The Wildlife Hospital of Louisiana as a Raptor Rehabilitation Co-Chair. She also served as the Wildlife, Avian, Zoological, and Exotic Animal Medicine Club as their Vice President, Secretary, and Reptile Representative and as the President of the LSU chapter of the Student Chapter of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine for two years. When not at the clinic,she prefers to spend her time outdoors, whether that’s hiking, trail running, kayaking, or simply wandering around an arts and crafts market or exploring her new city. Her favorite hobby is birdwatching. She also enjoys reading, practicing yoga, and spending time with her cat, Zuzu and bearded dragon, Rosie. Dr Carothers has a passion for all exotic companion animals with a special interest in avian species. She dreams of achieving board certification in Avian Practice, and looks forward to a rewarding career of caring for exotic companion animals and the people who love them. | Dr. Ashley Pacheco Dr. Ashley Pacheco(Pa-cheek-o) Dr. Pacheco grew up in the smallest town in the smallest state of Rhode Island. Her parents were born in Portugal, and she is 100% Portuguese. She grew up with many cats and dogs and knew she wanted to be a veterinarian when she was 12 years old. Dr Pacheco was a biology major and a natural history minor at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. She completed her veterinary degree at Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine.
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Dr. Susan Baley
Dr. Susan Baley grew up in southern California. She completed her bachelor’s degree in animal science with an emphasis in poultry management in 2011 from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo.
Dr. Baley graduated from the University of Minnesota’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2018. She loves every exotic animal, but has a particular passion for birds of all kinds including parrots, poultry, and raptors.
During veterinary school, she worked as zookeeper at the Minnesota Zoo and as a student researcher for the Raptor Center investigating blood clotting and rodenticide poisoning in hawks and owls. She has presented her research on multiple occasions, including at a plenary session of the Association of Avian Veterinarians’ annual conference.
Following graduation, she completed a rigorous avian and exotic medicine internship at Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists in Houston, TX where she worked with exotic pets, wildlife, and spent time learning about zoological medicine at the Houston Zoo.
Dr. Baley joins the SEAVS team this year to pursue additional focused training in avian medicine by starting her residency in avian practice through the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP).
When not taking care of her patients, Dr. Baley enjoys hiking, birdwatching, cooking, reading, traveling, and loves spending time with her fiancé and two cats, Felix and Oriana.
Dr. Currie Carothers
Dr. Carothers graduated with honors from Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2019, following receiving her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Rhodes College in Memphis Tennessee in 2015. She joins the SEAVS team for a one year intensive internship in exotic animal medicine.
Dr. Carothers has loved all wild, weird, and wonderful animals for as long as she can remember, and spent her time in Memphis volunteering in several departments of the Memphis Zoo, including their herpetarium. While in veterinary school, she discovered her passion for avian species through working for The Wildlife Hospital of Louisiana as a Raptor Rehabilitation Co-Chair. She also served as the Wildlife, Avian, Zoological, and Exotic Animal Medicine Club as their Vice President, Secretary, and Reptile Representative and as the President of the LSU chapter of the Student Chapter of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine for two years.
When not at the clinic,she prefers to spend her time outdoors, whether that’s hiking, trail running, kayaking, or simply wandering around an arts and crafts market or exploring her new city. Her favorite hobby is birdwatching. She also enjoys reading, practicing yoga, and spending time with her cat, Zuzu and bearded dragon, Rosie.
Dr Carothers has a passion for all exotic companion animals with a special interest in avian species. She dreams of achieving board certification in Avian Practice, and looks forward to a rewarding career of caring for exotic companion animals and the people who love them.
Dr. Ashley Pacheco
Dr. Pacheco grew up in the smallest town in the smallest state of Rhode Island. Her parents were born in Portugal, and she is 100% Portuguese. She grew up with many cats and dogs and knew she wanted to be a veterinarian when she was 12 years old. Dr Pacheco was a biology major and a natural history minor at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. She completed her veterinary degree at Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine.
After veterinary school Dr. Pacheco completed a small animal specialty rotating internship at VCA Southpaws Veterinary Specialists and Emergency Center in Fairfax, Virginia. She then moved to California to practice at Conejo Valley Veterinary Hospital where she worked on dogs, cats, and exotics. Last year, she returned to Virginia and practiced at Animal Medical Center in Stephens City.
Dr Pacheco's professional interests include wildlife conservation and saving species from extinction. Her favorite animal is the orca. Dr. Pacheco has two dogs Odin, an Australian shepherd, and Carochinha, a chihuahua/yorkshire terrier mix. She enjoys soccer, hiking, singing, dancing, traveling, and any outdoor activities.
SEAVS Hours
Monday- Friday 8:00AM-8:00PM
Saturday 8:00AM-4:00PM
Sunday CLOSED
* SEAVS is also closed New Years, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving(Thurs and Fri), Christmas (25th and 26th)
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Harrisons Bird DietsAvian diets Harrisons Bird Diets | Oxbow Animal HealthRabbit, guinea pig and rodent diets: Oxbow Animal Health | Mazuri DietsReptile diets: https://www.mazuri.com |