Exotic Pet Clinic of Santa Cruz - Scotts Valley, California

SLM

The doctor was very knowledgeable and quickly figured out what was wrong with our guinea pig. They also helped us figure out the minimum amount of tests required to get a diagnosis to help keep costs down. Knowledgeable staff. Will definitely use this clinic again.

Zhen Xiao

My pet bunny had teeth problems and wasn’t able to eat for several days. EPCSC took great care of him by performing professional procedure on him. He’s now in recovery. I cannot thank you enough!

Emily

The doctor is always extremely nice. The first nurse wasn't super friendly, looked like a rough day though. Otherwise service is usually extremely good. Straight to the point and helpful. The vet that my bearded dragons see is amazing because she is patient and always happy to answer questions

Abigail Sumano

Awesome service here. Everyone is kind and understanding. Honestly the best exotic vet I've taken my bird to.

Front desk answers the phone quick and gives me the answers I need. Dr Deng is fantastic!. She does so well at her job and is very relatable and puts things in terms that I understand.

Their emergency services are fast and saved my cockatiel. When my bird had to stay overnight , everything went really well and they even found a pellet that she likes to eat! Solving my long time pellet problem. They kept me updated through text on how she was doing which was fantastic and alleviated my concerns for her.

The facilities are also super clean and tidy. I feel comfortable while I'm here and my bird certainly does too!

Marli King

This was my first time coming to this veterinary clinic, but it will not be the last. Trying to find a vet who will treat chickens is incredibly difficult. The two more local clinics that I have brought birds to previously each only have one vet who will treat birds and they we both booked for weeks. The emergency clinic that can see birds doesn't have the ability to a blood panel on birds. They referred me here, and I am so grateful that they did.

My poor Poppy was clearly suffering and I didn't think we could wait three weeks for the appointment I was able to schedule at my usual vet. Exotic Pet Clinic was able to see me the same day that I called. The office was so relaxing and peaceful, no dogs or cats barking or yowling, and the staff was was very pleasant and patient with my scruffy appearance and brain-addled sleep-deprived state.

And they were so, so sweet with my chicken, Poppy. She was in terrible pain and they were as gentle with her as possible and gave her a blackberry and mealworms as a treat. Her symptoms were puzzling but the x-ray and other tests told the story: cancer. It was everywhere, with nothing to be done for her but make her comfortable. But in the time that I had been waiting to get in with my other vet, Poppy had already gotten so much worse, and so quickly, that my husband and I agreed that dragging this out would be cruel.

Dr. Deng answered all my questions and gave me plenty of time to call my husband and discuss it. She answered all of my questions and explained everything gently, but so I had a clear understanding. My husband had concerns about the euthanasia process being painful or frightening for Poppy, and we were both reassured by Dr. Deng's description of what would take place. They gave Poppy a big dose of painkiller and sedative. When she was very relaxed and sleepy, they gave the final injection and I was able to be there with her talking to her and holding and stroking her head as she drifted away. After she was gone, they laid her in a lovely little cardboard casket decorated with flowers for me to take her home.

Over the decades, I have taken this journey many many times with other pets, mostly dogs. It is never easy. But I have never had my pet treated more gently during the process or more gracefully afterwards. The box and flowers were really such a lovely thing. So respectful of the grief I was feeling and of the fact that Poppy was not "just a chicken" as pets, especially "livestock" pets, are often so disdainfully christened. My husband had had to work and could not be there, and Poppy was his special little girl. He didn't get a last chance to say goodbye. It seems like such a simple thing, but that box meant a lot. Being able to bring her home that way, in a way that acknowledged that we had just suffered the loss of a beloved family member, was not something I have experienced before and it really meant so much.

Meredith Moseley

This was my first time at the Exotic Pet Clinic of Santa Cruz, and I was very happy with the attention my hen received. Starting with the intake with the vet tech (Olivia, I believe?), and through the physical exam with the vet (Dr. Deng), I felt like they were very thorough and good listeners. I was impressed with the history that Olivia took of my hen, and I was also impressed with the thoroughness of Dr. Deng's physical exam of the chicken--not only for the chief complaint but also just a general exam looking for any other possible health issues. The receptionist was also very nice!

Update June 2024: Last October I took my hen to be euthanized. I wish I remembered the name of the vet tech who handled the procedure because she was SO kind and considerate. She gently explained what she'd be doing and how it would affect my hen, and then I was able to hold her while the drugs took effect. Since it took several minutes, she gave me privacy so I could be alone with my animal. Losing a pet is so hard, but I'm grateful for people who can help during the experience.

Suzanne Coberly

This is a great little practice with knowledgeable vets and competent, compassionate techs and staff. "Exotics" can be many types of pets and it's sometimes hard to find an appropriate specialist. Our guinea pig Zoey had a malformed tooth that broke and formed an abscess. When the initial surgery didn't work, we had to find someone with exotic dental surgery experience and access to a CT. Dr. Stern was able to get us access to the CT and successfully resolved the issue. They are great with small rodent care and also handle birds and reptiles.

Sam Larum

Such a nice place. They took such good care of my blood python. Dr. Deng was very gentle and patient with my python, even when my python was upset and snappy. I appreciate everything they have done and my snake has made a full recovery