South Texas Avian & Exotic Hospital

11/13/2026

🐀 Pssst… got any secrets?

It looks like this little guy was whispering something important to Dr. Coke! In reality, Dr. Coke was listening closely for any abnormal respiratory sounds during his exam. 👂🩺

Rats make wonderful companions, but unfortunately, their shorter life spans also mean they can be prone to a variety of health concerns. Respiratory illnesses are especially common in pet rats, making routine wellness exams an important part of keeping your little companions healthy.

It's never too early to schedule a checkup! Even our smallest patients deserve big attention. ❤️

Have a pet rat at home? Schedule a wellness exam with our veterinary team today!

11/11/2026

🍑 Everyone meet Papaya! Our little leopard gecko patient had some skull radiographs taken, and our team got creative by using a dental radiograph machine to get the images we needed!

Exotic medicine often means thinking outside the box and finding unique solutions to provide the best possible care for our special patients. 🦎

Papaya even had the luxury of TWO doctors involved in his care! He seemed quite pleased to have two sets of eyes on him… although we're pretty sure he was just enjoying the extra attention. 😉 Let's just say he was a bit of a diva!

Have a reptile at home? Our reptile veterinarians are here to help! Give us a call to schedule an exam for your scaly family member. 💚

11/09/2026

🦜 Meet Mozart! This handsome Blue-and-Gold Macaw is working hard on his road to recovery after a fall resulted in a broken leg.

Dr. Coke performed surgery to repair the fracture using metal pins, and now Mozart is on to the next chapter: rehabilitation! 💙

Recovery takes time, patience, and plenty of teamwork. In this video, Mozart's dad is practicing his at-home rehabilitation exercises with him right here in the exam room. We keep sessions short, provide lots of support, and celebrate the little steps along the way!

Mozart still has a journey ahead of him, but with a dedicated owner and a veterinary team cheering him on, he's got a wonderful support system behind him.

Here's to progress, one little movement at a time! 💛

11/04/2026

Even our tiniest patients deserve the very best care! When your patient is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, a little specialized equipment goes a long way!

Here, Dr. Antinoff is using a pediatric stethoscope and magnification loupes to perform a thorough examination on this tiny patient.

From the smallest mouse to the largest tortoise, every species has unique needs, and our team has the specialized knowledge, tools, and experience to provide exceptional care — no matter their size!

🐾 Because great veterinary care comes in all sizes! 💙

10/30/2026

🦎💚 Beardie Parents, This One’s for You! 💚🦎

Bearded dragons are one of the most popular reptile pets, and honestly, we can see why! 😍 These little guys are full of personality and make amazing companions. But keeping your scaly bestie happy and healthy starts with having the right setup!

Here are 5 must-have essentials every Beardie parent should know about! 👇

☀️ 1. Basking Bulb: Beardies rely on external heat to regulate their body temperature and maintain a healthy metabolism. A proper basking spot is essential for keeping your little dragon comfortable and thriving!

💡 2. UVB Lighting: UVB lighting is a MUST! It helps your Beardie produce vitamin D3, allowing their body to properly absorb and use calcium. Without adequate UVB, they’re at risk for metabolic bone disease (MBD).

🦴 3. Calcium Supplements: Calcium plays a huge role in your Beardie’s health! Proper supplementation helps support strong bones and overall wellness. The right supplement and schedule will depend on their diet, age, and individual needs.

🥬🦗 4. A Balanced Diet: A healthy Beardie diet includes the right balance of leafy greens and insects. The ideal ratio changes as your dragon grows and can also vary based on their health, so it’s important to make sure their diet is tailored to their needs!

🌡️ 5. Thermometers & Temperature Guns: You can't manage what you don't measure! Keeping track of temperatures throughout your Beardie’s enclosure helps ensure they have the proper heat gradient. Digital thermometers, probes, and thermostats are great tools, and a temperature gun is a handy backup for double-checking surface temperatures!

💚 Need help perfecting your Beardie’s setup? Whether you have questions about husbandry or it’s time for a wellness check, we’re here to help!

Our team includes Dr. Coke, our reptile specialist, and Dr. Bowling, our reptile resident, who are ready to help your scaly friend stay happy and healthy! 🦎✨

📞 Give us a call to schedule your Beardie’s wellness visit today!

10/28/2026

🦎📸 Not Your Average X-Ray! 🐢

When it comes to exotic animal medicine, one size definitely does NOT fit all — especially when it comes to diagnostic imaging!

Reptiles present some unique challenges when taking radiographs (X-rays). Unlike dogs, cats, birds, and small mammals, many reptiles have large, rounded shells or body shapes that make traditional positioning techniques less effective.

That's where specialized equipment and techniques come in! 🩻

This tortoise is getting a full set of radiographs using a horizontal X-ray beam, which allows us to capture important views while keeping the patient in a more natural position.

By changing the direction of the X-ray beam rather than relying solely on repositioning the patient, we can obtain clearer, more diagnostically useful images of structures that can be difficult to evaluate with conventional techniques.

💙 Exotic pets aren't just small versions of dogs and cats. Their unique anatomy requires specialized knowledge, equipment, and techniques to provide the best possible care.

And that's exactly why we love what we do! 🐍🦜🐢

10/26/2026

📸 “Get my good side!” 🦎💚

We love a Beardie with a big personality! This handsome little guy came in for his wellness check with Dr. Coke, and during his visit, we discovered some dental concerns that needed attention.

🦷 Did you know dental issues are common in bearded dragons? They can cause pain and discomfort, which is why routine wellness exams are so important! Checking your Beardie’s mouth is a key part of keeping them happy, healthy, and thriving. 💚

Give your scaly friend the care they deserve! 🐉✨ Schedule your bearded dragon’s wellness exam today!

10/23/2026

🥳 Happy National Veterinary Technician Week! 🎉💙

This week, we're celebrating the incredible veterinary technicians who help keep our hospital running smoothly and provide exceptional care to our patients every single day!

From bearded dragon wellness exams 🦎 to rabbit spays 🐇, our technicians are there every step of the way. Their compassion, dedication, and expertise make a difference in the lives of our patients and their families.

Our amazing team does it all! From assisting with appointments and filling medications to running lab work, taking radiographs, preparing for surgery, monitoring anesthesia, and so much more. 💉💊🩻🩸

While their work often happens behind the scenes, their contributions never go unnoticed. We couldn't do what we do without them!

Please join us in celebrating our outstanding veterinary technicians! 🐍🦜🐰💙

💬 Has one of our technicians made a difference in your pet's care? We'd love for you to give them a shout-out in the comments!

10/20/2026

10/19/2026

For those of you who saw the video we posted of the snake that swallowed three golf balls, we have some fun news! People magazine picked up the story and published an article about it!

A video of a snake receiving life-saving treatment at a pet hospital in Texas has gone viral on Instagram. Veterinarians at South Texas Avian & Exotic Hospital ‘heavily sedated’ the reptile before removing three golf balls that it had swallowed.