Great Western Exotics

02/04/2026

Great Western Exotics hospital is now closed.

Following a thorough review, including a possible sale of the business, we can confirm Great Western Exotics closed on Thursday 2 April 2026.

Despite extensive efforts to secure the long term future of the hospital, consumer need for specialist exotic and avian veterinary services is rare and demand has impacted our ability to sustain a dedicated centre long term. This has been a very difficult decision, made only after careful consideration.

In line with the national model of care, first opinion veterinary practices can provide day-to-day and ongoing care of all small animal and exotic species in the Swindon area, supported by appropriate referral when clinically required.

Your local vet will be able to advise on the most appropriate next steps based on your pet’s individual needs.

To help support this transition, below are alternative veterinary practices who provide exotic and avian services within approximately a 60-minute drive:

• Chipping Norton Veterinary Hospital, Banbury Road, Chipping Norton
• Castle Vets, 1 Tilehurst Road, Reading

We are incredibly grateful for the trust you have placed in Great Western Exotics.

If you have any questions please email [email protected]

The Great Western Exotics Team

04/02/2026

✨ Meet Orpheus — our brave little fighter! ✨
Lovely Orpheus was one of our final patients of 2025. He came to us with a noticeable head tilt and signs of gastro intestinal stasis. After running diagnostics including imaging and blood tests, we found results consistent with Encephalitozoon Cuniculi (E. Cunic).
With a few days of dedicated, round the clock care, Orpheus made excellent progress and was able to head home just in time for the New Year celebrations. 🎉
His owners recently sent us an update — and we’re delighted to share that his symptoms have significantly improved! 💛🐰
We’re so proud of this little bun and thrilled to see him doing so well.

17/01/2026

15/01/2026

We are seeking an experienced Veterinary Surgeon with advanced practitioner status or further postgraduate qualifications in exotic animal medicine to join our established site. This is an exciting opportunity to become part of a highly skilled, multidisciplinary team delivering both first opinion and referral-level care to a diverse exotic caseload, supported by advanced diagnostics and 24-hour patient care.

One of the UK’s leading avian and exotic animal veterinary hospitals, Great Western Exotics is a Tier 3 RCVS-accredited practice providing 24/7 primary care, referral services, and emergency out-of-hours support in a relaxed and friendly environment. Take the lead in a unique and inspiring hospita...

13/10/2025

After 13 years at Great Western Exotics, we sadly said goodbye to Tom Dutton at the end of September, we want to thank him for all his hard work and dedication over the years and wish him all the very best in his next adventure! He will be sorely missed by us and the many patients he has treated throughout his time here at Great Western Exotics.

Rest assured that we still have our very experienced and knowledgeable vet team consisting of Sara Jones, Ashton Hollwarth and Elia Esquivel Fernandez, all of them having been trained by Tom and both individually and collectively they hold a wealth of knowledge, skills and experience treating a large variety of exotic species.

They all look forward to seeing you and your exotic animals at the practice.

13/06/2025

After much deliberation, the winner of our photo competition is.... Albie and his best mate parrot I think everyone can agree he is beautiful 🥰 Well Done Albie and Claire
Claire could you please email your address to [email protected] so we can send out Albie gift box Thank you GWE

02/06/2025

To start parrot awareness week, we are running a photo competition!!!

We would love to see your parrots posing with their favourite thing- food, toy or person and there will be a small prize for the winner.
Competition ends 8th June and the winning photo will be selected via staff voting.

25/04/2025

'Laughing' Charlie came in for a beak trim recently. Such a beautiful bird!

15/04/2025

Does this angle make my ears look big?

Having a bonded companion come into hospital with an ill rabbit can make a huge difference to their recovery.
Rabbits are social animals who thrive on connection and can be stressed when separated and kept on their own.
Rabbits that come in with their bonded friend can be comforted during their recovery, and then do not need to be re-introduced when they return home.
This dynamic duo spent most of their time in hospital snuggled together! 💕

07/04/2025

We have got the new Yurvac RHD vaccine back in stock. 🩺

If you have been waiting for vaccines please get in touch with reception to book an appointment.