Little Critters Veterinary Hospital

02/27/2026

Patient Spotlight: Green-Cheek Conure 🦜

Say hello to this colorful little visitor! Our green-cheek conure came in for a wellness check and we couldn’t resist sharing some fun facts! 💚

Fun Facts:
▪️ Green-cheek conures are small parrots, around 10 inches long, but they have HUGE personalities
▪️ They are playful, affectionate, and can even learn tricks or mimic sounds
▪️ Their tail feathers often show vibrant shades of red, blue, and green
▪️ Social birds at heart, conures thrive on interaction

Regular checkups are just as important for birds as for cats and dogs! If you have a bird at home that needs a checkup call us at (480)696-7744 to schedule their next appointment! 📞

02/27/2026

This duck needed urgent care and surgery after a dog attack. Watch to see how he recovered and the key lesson for keeping backyard birds safe!

02/27/2026

The carpet python isn’t just “another snake.”

Carpet pythons are intelligent, highly adaptive constrictors found across Australia and nearby regions. They climb well, regulate their environment carefully, and are known for being observant and deliberate in their behavior.

Unlike most snakes, carpet pythons don’t simply lay eggs and move on.

They coil around their clutch and remain with it throughout incubation. They adjust their body position to manage temperature and humidity, and in many python species, females can even generate heat through controlled muscle contractions.

But what makes carpet pythons fascinating isn’t just reproduction — it’s their overall strategy.

They are patient hunters.
Strong constrictors.
Excellent climbers.
And capable of remarkable maternal investment.

If you only remember one thing: the carpet python isn’t a passive reptile. It’s a highly tuned, behaviorally complex predator with more parental investment than most people realize.

— Dr. Jill M. Patt
Dr. Patt Exotic Vet
Little Critters Veterinary Hospital

Educational content only — not medical advice.

02/27/2026

Winter walks are fun, but icy sidewalks and antifreeze chemicals can put pets at risk. ❄️🐾 If your pet shows signs of discomfort or you’re unsure about exposure, call or schedule an appointment for your pet to be seen!

02/26/2026

At Little Critters Veterinary Hospital, we’ve worked with birds for decades. From budgies and cockatiels to large parrots, that long-term experience matters. Birds aren’t just medically different, their behavior, stress response, and nutrition are completely unique.
What that experience looks like in practice:

Low-stress, species-appropriate handling to reduce fear and injury

Reading the subtle behavioral cues that birds use, instead of “obvious” symptoms

Nutritional guidance that goes far beyond “seed vs pellets”

Early detection of chronic issues like liver disease, calcium imbalance, and reproductive disease

Preventive care plans designed for a long, healthy lifespan, not just today’s visit

Birds hide illness. Owners often do everything right and still miss early disease because birds are that good at masking it. That’s why having a veterinary team that truly understands how birds live, eat, think, and cope with stress makes such a difference.

If you only remember one thing, remember this: bird care is long-game medicine — experience protects years, not just moments.
Once you see it, you can’t unsee it. 🦜💙

📍 Gilbert / Mesa area
📞 (480) 696-7744
🌐 www.littlecrittersvet.com

02/26/2026

Arizona Tiger Salamander: What Could Be Affecting His Health?

02/26/2026

We’ve reached 400 published videos on our YouTube page. If you love animals take a look there is something for everyone.

Welcome to Dr. Patt Exotic Vet — your trusted source for expert care of exotic pets, birds, reptiles, amphibians, small mammals, and traditional pets like dogs and cats. I’m Dr. Patt, an exotic veterinarian with more than 25 years of clinical experience helping pets and educating owners, technic...

02/25/2026

This curious little ferret stopped by our hospital for a routine wellness exam, and it’s a great reminder that ferrets need veterinary care too! 🐾

Ferrets are playful, intelligent, and very social pets but they’re also excellent at hiding illness. Routine exams are essential because many common ferret health conditions (like adrenal disease, insulinoma, and dental issues) can start with very subtle signs that are easy to miss at home. 🩺

Why routine exams matter for ferrets:
▪️ Help detect illness early, before symptoms become serious
▪️ Monitor weight, teeth, and overall body condition
▪️ Discuss proper diet, enrichment, and husbandry
▪️ Create a baseline for your ferret’s normal health

Ferrets should typically be seen at least twice a year (or more often as they age) to keep them happy, active, and healthy. If your ferret is due for a wellness exam or you have concerns about their health, please give us a call at (480)696-7744. 📞

02/25/2026

We noticed unusual yellow lips and red legs, what could it mean for your pac man frogs health?

02/25/2026

Appointments available for exotic pets, dogs and cats this Thursday 2/26/26

02/24/2026

This baby bunny is bright, alert, and social. So why is he losing fur and dangerously thin?

02/24/2026

New video drop on pet birds

Pet birds rarely “just get sick.”They compensate. They hide weakness. And by the time owners notice something is wrong, the disease process is often well und...