Would you picture yourself with your afternoons spent with sloths, lions, or parrots? With being the voice of reason in the midst of madness, when a sea turtle rescued from its horrific fate is in dire need of treatment?
If so, then a vet tech degree can bring that exciting, exotic existence to your own backyard.”
Most individuals think that the vet techs do nothing but work with cats and dogs. And yes, that is a bulk of the work, no question about it.
But the range is so much broader, especially if you have a passion for exotic animals, and if you wanna know how to become an Exotic Animal Veterinarian.
We’re not even beginning to discuss the snakes and owls and hedgehogs, although those are pets too—lemurs, macaws, and the every now and then wallaby. And why is this job so great? Each and every day is unique.
How To Become An Exotic Animal Veterinarian? The Day I Met A Capuchin Monkey And Everything Changed
I will share with you the day that my life altered.
I was finishing up an externship for my vet tech program. My school had an arrangement with a small wildlife sanctuary on the edge of town.
They brought in one day a capuchin monkey named Jasper with his face swollen up and an abscessed tooth. He was upset and clearly in pain.
I saw my supervising vet tech enter the intake situation with a calm demeanor, speaking at a slow pace and listening to the intake as if it were any visit for an irritable housecat. She was calm, meticulous, and in control.
Something hit me there: this wasn’t all about medical information. This was about patience, empathy, and tremendous respect for all things living.
That experience sparked the fire in me. That’s when I knew—I wanted to work with exotic animals.
Why Exotic Animal Care Is A Growing Field?
The exotic world is taking off leaps and bounds. More and more people are keeping exotic pets like reptiles, birds, and even small primates.
Meanwhile, wildlife rehab centers, zoos, aquariums, and conservation groups are always looking for trained, educated vet techs.
But the fact is, not every vet clinic can treat exotic animals. They require special attention, they’re anatomically different, and sometimes exhibit downright strange behavior.
That’s when a specialty vet tech degree comes into play. You’ll bridge the gap between plain vanilla veterinary practice and special care.
And demand? It’s skyrocketing by leaps and bounds.
What You Learn In A Vet Tech Program (It’s Not Just Needles and Cages)
People outside the field often think vet tech training is all about giving shots and cleaning kennels. That’s barely scratching the surface. So let’s get to know how to become an Exotic Animal Veterinarian.
In a quality vet tech program, you’ll dive into subjects like:
- Anatomy and physiology of multiple species
- Pharmacology and drug administration
- Surgical preparation and assistance
- Diagnostic imaging
- Emergency and critical care procedures
- Laboratory techniques (blood work, urinalysis, etc.) For those leaning toward exotic animal care, there’s a whole new layer to explore:
- Reptilian thermoregulation: Reptiles don’t produce their own heat. You’ll learn how to manage lighting and temperature in their environment.
- Avian anatomy and restraint: Birds are fragile and easily stressed. Their bones are pneumatic (air-filled), and improper handling can be fatal.
- Specialized diets: Amphibians, for example, have very specific nutrient requirements.
- Zoonotic diseases: These diseases that have the ability to “hop” from animal to human happen most often in wild animals and exotic domesticated species.
The first line of defense against containing and preventing outbreaks is vet techs. Hands-on externship and lab work put it all into focus.
My friend Alyssa, for example, interned at a parrot sanctuary. To this day, she recalls the day that she medicated an irritable blue macaw whose banshee scream could curdle milk, but who then became cuddly after two days.
Where Can You Work With A Vet Tech Degree?
One of the great things about working as a vet tech, if you can get experience with exotics, is that you will work with them. You don’t have to stick to a standard animal hospital.
Some of the more “traditional” (and amazing) options are:
- Wildlife rehabilitation centers: Releasing rehabilitated wildlife that can be returned to the wild.
- Zoos and aquariums: Helping with the care of animals that will spend their lives in long-term controlled environments.
- Exotic pet clinics: Private-practice offices that contain snakes, birds, rodents, and other exotic pets.
- Research facilities: Helping to conduct research to advance veterinary medicine.
- Mobile exhibits or educational centers: With roaming animals for education of the public. I had one student become employed by an Arizona wildlife park. Two weeks into it, she was part of a team doing a dental cleaning on a grizzly bear. What a memory to possess.
How To Become An Exotic Animal Veterinarian With Certifications That Open More Doors
After you’ve graduated with a degree in vet tech and have some experience under your belt, you may be looking to become a specialist.
A Veterinary Technician Specialty (VTS) is a professional certification that ensures you’ve gained experience outside of your specialty area.
If you adore working with exotic animals, you may want to pursue:
- Zoological Medicine (through the Academy of Veterinary Zoological Medicine Technicians)
- Clinical Practice – Exotic Companion Animal (from the Academy of Veterinary Technicians in Clinical Practice).
These certifications aren’t just nice paper to hang on your wall. They increase your credibility, earning power, and opportunities for leadership at upscale facilities.
The Reality Of The Job (It’s Not Always Glamorous)
Reality check: this job’s not all grammable pic and sloth baby cuddling.
- You’ll be rising before dawn and coming home at midnight.
- You’ll be bitten, defecated upon, and scratched.
- Moreover, you’ll be doing a dehydrated hedgehog one day and observing anesthesia on a 6-foot iguana under the knife the next.
But if you’re somebody who does well under pressure, in a high-risk situation, then this could be your dream career.
Is Exotic Animal Vet Tech The Career For You?
Ask yourself
- Do I like learning about odd and quirky animals?
- Am I calm under pressure?
- Am I interested in ongoing learning and updating my knowledge base?
If you can say “yes,” then this career may be the one for you.
Reviews: From Classroom To Capuchins
Attaining a vet tech degree is not merely crossing an item off your career checklist. It’s about getting ready to work in one of the most exciting, rewarding jobs out there.
You’ll be the person an endangered bird depends on after injury. The one who helps a lemur recover post-surgery. The one who gives hope and healing where others can’t.
You’ll get dirty. You’ll work hard. But you’ll also change lives—both human and animal.
And if you’re lucky, you’ll meet your own version of Jasper, the little capuchin monkey who made everything click.
So if you wanna know how to become an Exotic Animal Veterinarian, don’t hesitate. A vet tech degree may be the key to a wild and lucrative career.
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