4 Things I Wish I'd Known About Hiring an Exotic Pet Vet in Florida

As the proud pet parent of an exotic creature in the Sunshine State, you might have found yourself in the peculiar position of seeking a specialized veterinarian. In the pursuit of providing the best possible care for our critters, it becomes paramount to understand a few key factors about hiring an exotic pet vet in Florida. There are inherent complexities in this endeavor, but hindsight offers invaluable insights. Here, I present to you four critical elements I wish I had been cognizant of when setting out on this quest.

• Specialization and Expertise: The pantheon of exotic pets is vast and varied, ranging from reptiles and birds to small mammals and aquatic creatures. Each species has unique physiological characteristics, dietary requirements, and potential health issues. Just as we have medical specialists for different human illnesses, veterinarians, too, specialize in specific animal classes. Some are experts in avian health, while others shine in herpetology (reptile medicine), and so forth. Thus, it's crucial to find a vet with expertise corresponding to your pet's species.

The principle of comparative advantage, coined by British political economist David Ricardo, serves as a suitable analogy here. A vet specialized in your pet's species will likely have a comparative advantage in diagnosing and treating its health conditions, as compared to a general vet, not unlike a country focusing on the production of goods it can create most efficiently.

• Accreditation: Searching for a qualified vet can feel like navigating a labyrinth. One potential beacon of reliability can be the accreditation by the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians (AEMV), Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV), or Association of Reptile and Amphibian Veterinarians (ARAV). Vets associated with these institutions are often more updated with the latest medical advancements in their respective fields.

This idea parallels the concept of "signaling" in economics, as proposed by Michael Spence. Accreditation serves as a signal of a vet's competence in the world of exotic pet healthcare, thereby reducing the asymmetry of information between the vet and the pet owner.

• Accessibility and Emergency Care: Florida's geo-economic diversity presents varying degrees of accessibility to exotic pet vets. While metropolitan areas like Miami or Tampa may offer numerous options, rural areas can be underserved. An understanding of this spatial distribution is crucial when selecting a vet.

Furthermore, exotic pets often hide their symptoms until they're critically ill - a survival instinct in the wild known as "masking." Consequently, access to emergency care becomes critical. The "Just In Time" concept, a production strategy introduced by the Toyota Production System, is somewhat applicable here. It suggests that resources (in this case, veterinary care) should be made available exactly when needed to minimize waste (here, the risk to your pet's health).

• Cost: Veterinary care for exotic pets tends to be more expensive than for traditional pets, mostly due to the specialization required and the complexity of procedures. Understanding of the "law of supply and demand," a fundamental economic principle, elucidates this. The demand for exotic pet vets, though growing, is still significantly lower than for common pet vets. Accordingly, fewer vets specialize in exotic pets, hence a lower supply. When demand is high and supply low, prices tend to rise.

Having navigated the labyrinth myself, I can attest to the importance of understanding these complexities when embarking on the journey of finding the right exotic pet vet in Florida. Engaging with the principles of economics and strategic planning, while considering your pet's unique needs, will surely illuminate your path. Above all, remember that investing time and effort in this endeavor is investing in the health and happiness of your exotic companion. After all, aren't they worth it?