Avian and Exotic Animals
Extraordinary Care for Extraordinary Animals

From the smallest to the largest, every patient is important. The bond between a pet and their owner is extremely important, no matter what species of animal!
Avian and exotic animal medicine and surgery includes many non-traditional species, including:
- Small mammals (rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, degus, hamsters, hedgehogs, etc)
- Sugar gliders
- Reptiles (snakes, turtles, tortoises, geckos, bearded dragons, etc)
- Birds (parrots, song birds, urban poultry, raptors, etc)
- Amphibians (frogs, salamanders)
- Fish
As with our traditional companion animals such as our cats and dogs, avian and exotic animals can benefit greatly from recent advances in veterinary medicine. Often, specialized species also require specialized care to properly diagnose and treat their illnesses.
The Avian and Exotic service works closely with the specialists in surgery, cardiology, dentistry, and diagnostic imaging to provide the best treatment options for our patients. Diagnostic and treatment options can include:
- Blood work, x-rays, ultrasound, CT (computed tomography)
- Dental consultation, advanced imaging, extractions, occlusal adjustment (molar burr)
- Beak and shell treatments and repair
- Sedation, anesthesia, and surgery
To decrease the stress of diagnostics and treatments, sedation can also be an excellent way to make a veterinary visit safe for your pet.
Dr. Hanak has pursued a large amount of continuing education to achieve a high standard of exotic animal care. Most recently, she completed an internship at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Zoo, Exotic, and Wildlife Medicine and is currently pursuing her ABVP Board Certification (Exotic Companion Mammal Practice).
Pulse Veterinary Specialists and Emergency
Sherwood Park 780-570-9999 *just of the Henday
Avian & Exotic Animals – Edmonton & Area
*click for directions: 450 Ordze Rd, Sherwood Park
Our Team

Dr. Eryn Hanak graduated from the first class at the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in 2012. During her vet training, she developed a love of zoo, exotic, and wildlife animals and upon graduation moved to Ontario, where she could practice with a high exotics patient caseload. She returned to Alberta to continue working with all different kinds of species, and started working in emergency medicine as well in 2014. As the procedures and care she was providing for her exotic patients became more advanced, she decided to pursue additional training and completed an internship in Zoo, Exotic, and Wildlife Medicine at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 2019. She looks forward to combining her love of exotics and emergency medicine at Pulse Veterinary Referral Centre!
When she’s not working, Dr. Hanak enjoys hiking, travelling and sheep herding with her two border collies, Vimes and Locke

Bio to come