Veterinary services in East Anglia, with a love of all things exotic
David & Booley
Species
Rabbits
Location
Shotley Gate
We do a two hour round trip to visit Suffolk Exotic Vets with our Rabbits David and Booley. That should say something about how much we rate them.
Catherine’s expertise far surpasses our local vets and has saved Booley from having an unnecessary procedure recommended by another Vet for a misdiagnosed condition.
Both David and Booley have old age health conditions and see Catherine monthly to monitor their condition. I’m pretty sure Booley would not be with us and enjoying her old age if it wasn’t for Catherine’s superior knowledge.
On top of this in 40 years of keeping animals I have never known such a caring Vet. When Booley had an operation Catherine said beforehand if she wasn’t happy with Booleys recovery she would take her home over night to keep a close eye on her and help her through her recovery. That is definitely above and beyond my previous experiences and shows her level of caring. To top things off whenever you call, you always get a cheerful and always very helpful reception from Jo. I Can’t recommend highly enough!
Bouncer
Species
Umbrella Cockatoo
Location
Ditchingham
We had had Bouncer for 30 years (45+ years old) when his breathing suddenly became a problem. I went to Suffolk Exotic Pets having read the testimonials as our previous vet was only ‘interested’ in exotics. He was immediately put on oxygen and then an airsac tube inserted to help him breathe. Numerous tests were carried out and all along I received regular phone calls as to how he was and on the first night he went home with the veterinary nurse. They all fell in love with him and would provide toys to keep him amused and plenty of head scratches which he adored. No one could have done more and they were devastated when he suddenly took a turn for the worst. It was the worst outcome but all my birds will go to this vets in the future – they truly love their patients and will do all in their power to help. Thank you.
The Rats of Snuffles Sanctuary
Species
Rats
Location
Essex
I would just like to say a MASSIVE thank you for urgently seeing the 2 female rats I’m RBU for – you guys are truly amazing – thank god for you.
The lady who answered my call that day was simply AMAZING !!
I am very grateful to you for saving the 2 little girlies and the care you took.
I will be recommending your practice 100% for the greater area.
Bandit
Species
Rat Snake
Location
Stowmarket
Had a great experience with the vets today. The team were very informative and friendly. And treated my VBB snake Bandit with care. I was apprehensive as it was his first vet visit and he was about to shed but when I got him home he was so chilled he was asleep. Worth the hour drive and will definitely come back in future. Thank you so much.
Bean & Piglet
Species
Guinea Pigs
Location
Woodbridge
Forever grateful to the Suffolk Exotic Vets team. They have cared for Bean and Piglet so well during their latest stay, as well as the many previous appointments. They’ve taken the time to get to know their unique personalities,likes and dislikes. Knowing that they are both so well cared for makes being apart that little bit easier. Thank you to the whole team for getting Bean to a point where she’s well enough to come home and for still caring for Piglet despite her defiant behaviour
Storm & Aurora
Species
Mini-lop Rabbits
Location
Lowestoft
I don’t even know where to begin! Suffolk exotic vets is amazing! We had our two female bunnies booked in at a local vet near us for their spay operations, however I was really anxious about it. I hadn’t heard of Suffolk exotic vets until I went onto the RWAF website in search for an Exotic vet and Suffolk Exotic Vets came up. I spoke to Jo and she handled everything! She answered all of my worries and concerns I had, she told me the whole process from start to finish and gave me dates of different vets that were available around the time I needed the appointment. So I booked them in with Catherine!
Both Catherine and Jo were amazing with the Girls and Jo kept me updated all throughout the day on the PetsApp. I had a message with an update before I had even got home from dropping them off! She sent pictures of them in recovery, and when they were up and about again. They always put the girls needs first and always did everything they could to make them as comfortable as possible. They then continued to support us throughout recovery and then re-bonding the girls back together. I now have two healthy, happy bunnies, I can not thank and recommend Suffolk Exotic Vets enough!!
JJ
Species
Kakariki
Location
Ipswich
I took my bird to see Catherine today as she has a lump just above her eye which has been worrying me. Catherine was lovely with JJ and I felt confident in her assessment of the lump. I am so pleased to have found a vet that has a good knowledge of birds and will definitely return with any of my birds in the future if necessary.
Buzz
Species
Chinchilla
Location
Manningtree
Knowledgeable and kind. It is lovely to meet a vet who understands owning small animals. Catherine has given my chinchilla medicine that is tasty rather than us having to battle with him, so our stress levels are much lower than they are usually following a vet visit. I would drive all that way again and further if needed! Absolutely worth it and worth every penny.
Very reasonably priced considering specialist experience and expertise.
I expected it to be more! I was pleasantly surprised.
Smidge
Species
Rabbit
Location
Lowestoft
Found Suffolk Exotic Vets when I was looking for a rabbit savvy vet in the local area to get my rabbit spayed. Although my rabbit is registered to a vet a lot closer to home I decided to bring her here for this procedure (from the research I had done and recommendations received from other people) and it was the BEST decision ever. Me and my daughter were so anxious about our Smidge having such a big op. Jo kept us updated via pets app all morning and afternoon with what was happening, when she was in surgery, when she was out, how it went, how she was doing, what she was eating, when she was having medicine, if she was pooping ok… even little things like a pic of where Smidge would be put when she came out of surgery…. it really made the whole experience so much easier and it really put me at ease to know she was being so well looked after and was in such good hands. Smidge came back very sleepy but the next day she is back to her happy self and is doing so well. I couldn’t have asked for it to go any better. I really couldn’t recommend the service here enough. Thank you everyone who looked after Smidge so wonderfully.
Bear & Pea
Species
Skunk & Peacock
Location
Beccles
So great to have an exotic vets so close, and what an amazing team they are! We were very impressed with the prompt appointment and the service we and our animals received was second to none. They genuinely care and are very knowledgeable. We will definitely be using them for all of our exotics. Thank you for all your help from everyone at Unicorn Alpaca Walks.
Winston
Species
African Grey Parrot
Location
Carlton Colville
Winston is an African Grey Parrot, a Timneh. He is about 6 years old. For about 4 days his behaviour changed, he was eating but not talking as much, sitting at the bottom of his cage and his tail was twitching. After reading up on the internet, i contacted CatherineThomas via email and phone. She advised Winston came in ASAP.
After his examination and a detailed explanation from Catherine of the possibilities of Winston’s illness, we narrowed down a starting point for a diagnosis and the treatment for Winston. As we all know vet bills are not cheap. When the consultation was over and a few tears we decided Winston was to stay in Catherine’s care and start his antibiotics. Catherine called me every evening after my little boys bedtime, when it was convenient to talk in more detail. She updated me each day with how Winston was doing, what he was eating and saying. She put my mind at rest. After 8 days i was able to collect Winston and bring him home. He is 100% back to his normal self. With information and advice received from Catherine i am also in contact with a parrot behaviour specialist. I am now more educated and a better owner for Winston. I highly recommend Catherine. We received an excellent service.
Minimus
Species
Guinea Pig
Location
Ipswich
Catherine had removed an extremely large bladder stone from Minimus, my guinea pig. She was extremely prompt in her action to relieve Minimus of her pain and even stayed over two hours over her work schedule to do so, which was greatly appreciated. She also took Minimus home with her after the operation to keep a close eye on her recovery after waking up. This was my first time meeting Catherine and I have come to realise just how much knowledge she has on guinea pigs in comparison to my previous veterinarian who mainly works with cats and dogs. Finding an exotic vet who is also local is extremely important to me. Catherine was pleasant to talk to and extremely efficient in responding to my many, many emails and questions. A fantastic job well done! and a much happier little guinea pig now! I Highly recommend this lovely lady to any guinea pig owner and no doubt many more species. Thank you.
Dave & Harry
Species
Horsfield Tortoises
Location
Reydon
We recently acquired 2 ten year old tortoises, Dave and Harry. We noticed that Dave had an undershot jaw and an overgrown beak which was causing him difficulty eating. We discovered Catherine was working in the next village and couldn’t believe our luck!
Catherine gave a thorough examination to both tortoises and then clipped Dave’s beak and a little off his jaw. I was expecting him to be a little withdrawn afterwards but he was the complete opposite. His appetite has increased 2 fold and we (and Dave) couldn’t be happier!
Zazu
Species
Bearded Dragon
Location
Felixstowe
I was recommended by my local vets to see Catherine regarding my bearded dragon as I was concerned about her with not eating. Catherine shared her detailed knowledge and provided me with the information and guidance I needed. Within this Catherine then kept in contact with me in order to ensure that my bearded dragon was making progress.
Catherine responded to all my concerns and questions very efficiently through email and with visits.
Very good service and would recommend to others.
Willow
Species
Giant Rabbit
Location
Ipswich
Our (not so) little bunny Willow has certainly kept us busy since in the short time we adopted her.. through abscesses that just would not give up, plenty of operations, medication, a CT scan, then recently when she was poorly… Catherine has done an amazing job in treating and helping willow get through all that she has and has been the constant support for us as owners. Always showing professionalism and empathy that reassured that willow was in the best hands. Amazing human being… cannot recommend Suffolk Exotic Vets enough… thank you for everything!
Pip
Species
Netherland Dwarf Rabbit
Location
Ipswich
Pip our little bunny started to lose her balance and appeared drunk with a head tilt. We were referred to Catherine who conducted tests and found her to carry the e cuniculi parasite. She prescribed medication and Pip made a full recovery.
We knew this could flare again, and it did. This time Catherine went above and beyond. She took our bunnies home to keep an eye on them, and treat them keeping us informed of her progress.
Pip is part of our family and I cannot stress how much this care and support means. Catherine has genuinely made us feel that we can ask questions and get support day or night.
We know there will be complications again in the future but feel safe in the knowledge that we can get support from Catherine and her team.