Avian, Exotic and Pocket Pet Care
Owning an exotic pet is no small responsibility. There are many challenges that come with owning a less conventional pet and they need comprehensive care from a qualified veterinarian to remain happy and healthy.
Lange Animal Hospital is proud to continue our care of exotic / pockets pets with Avian board-certified veterinarian, Michael Jones, DVM, DAVB, Dipl ABVP (Avian), and Sarah Estep, DVM.
Dr. Jones and Dr. Estep bring considerable experience with exotics to our clients—including:
- Permitted** wildlife (racoons, foxes, squirrel ducks)
- Birds (parrots, passerines, poultry, ducks, doves)
- Most primates**
- Rodents (rats, mice, hamsters, prairie dogs, chinchillas)
- Small Mammals/Pocket Pets (rabbits, guinea pigs, hedgehogs, sugar gliders, ferrets)
- Reptiles (snakes, lizards, turtles)
- Amphibians (frogs, toads, newts, and salamanders)
- Pigs
- Exotic Cats (bobcats, servals, and caracals)
- Kinkajous (Honey Bears)
- Coati/Coatimundis
**Any species requiring a permit must present the permit at time of service (wildlife and some primates).
Exotic Animal Care Services
Exotic pets require lifelong care just like any other pet. The services we can provide include:
- Annual wellness care including physical exams, routine blood work and vaccinations as recommended
- Species-specific grooming
- Dental care for small mammals
- Species-specific laboratory testing
- Consultations for adoption, behavior, diet, and husbandry
- Emergency care (during regular business hours)
- Hospitalization in an exotics-only ward
- Advanced imaging including digital x-ray and ultrasound
Looking for a skilled veterinarian to treat your avian / exotic pet?
Our Exotic Pet Care Team
Michael Jones, DVM, DABVP • Veterinarian (Avian)
Education: Graduated from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in 1992. I completed a one-year Small Animal Medicine and Surgery Internship at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine (UTCVM) in 1993, then accepted a three-year residency position in Avian and Zoological Medicine also at the UTCVM. After completion of the residency, I was offered a position at the UTCVM and joined the faculty in July of 1996. I became a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (Avian Specialty) in 1997.
Family: Is married with three young adult children.
Most rewarding part of your career: I was a Professor of Avian and Zoological Medicine and Director of Student Services, Diversity, and Recruitment at the UT College of Veterinary Medicine. After 30 years of service, I retired on June 30, 2022, and was awarded Professor Emeritus status in Avian and Zoological Medicine. One month after retirement, I accepted a full-time position as the Director of Rehabilitation and Research at American Eagle Foundation (AEF) a 501(c)(3) organization located in Kodak, TN that is dedicated to inspiring the global community to protect all birds of prey. Currently, I work with AEF on an as-needed basis. I am passionate about all things related to raptors, and my clinical focus is the medical and surgical management of birds of prey, including raptor infectious diseases and avian emergency and critical care.
Hobbies: Playing the trumpet professionally from time to time, and I enjoy breakdancing, falconry and fishing. I have over 35 years of experience training various species of birds of prey.
Sarah Estep, DVM • Veterinarian
Education: University of Tennessee CVM, 2021
Family: Husband, Mark and Daughter, Maggie
Pets: Ellie (Boston Terrier), Shyla & Oliver (Cats), Dorris (Tortoise), Ralph (Rabbit), Stitch (Flying Squirrel), Curley and Bert (guinea pigs)
Most rewarding part of your career: Using my passion for helping animals everyday to make a positive impact on families and their pets lives.
Favorite comfort food: Chick-fil-A all the way
Three things you love: My family, my pets, and enjoying the outdoors
Hobbies: Cooking & baking, gardening, hiking, crocheting and running with my dog!
