Exotics Veterinarian Coming To Lake Villa!
LAKE VILLA, ILLINOIS, April 2019: [Dr. Erica Morton, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, joining the Animal Hospital of Lake Villa Team in May 2019]
Great news for all you bird and snake lovers out there: Lake Villa will officially be getting their very first Exotics Veterinarian this May. Animal Hospital of Lake Villa has been very well known in the community for over 25 years, whether it be through their high ratings or their community involvement. Throughout the years, Animal Hospital of Lake Villa has gone through many changes including a remodel just last year. Privately owned by Dr. Edward McGinniss since 1993, Animal Hospital of Lake Villa has always strived for excellence by providing compassionate care to both their patients and their clients. This has been done through their efforts involving the American Animal Hospital Association Accreditation and their Fear Free Certified Professionals.
Already a Fear Free Certified Professional, Dr. Erica Morton will be joining their team this spring. Dr. Morton graduated from the University of Illinois, College of Veterinary Medicine in May of 2016. She is highly passionate about her career and absolutely loves all small animals. Along with seeing your furry family members, Dr. Morton also loves working with exotic pets like birds, reptiles and pocket pets.
Exotic animals are defined as any pets, legally allowed to be owned, other than cats and dogs. While Animal Hospital of Lake Villa has had the ability to see some exotics like bunnies, guinea pigs and rats, Dr. Morton offers the ability to see those pets with scales and feathers. Like Animal Hospital of Lake Villa, other veterinarians in the area are able to see the furry pets but it is extremely difficult to find a veterinarian that will also see exotics like birds and reptiles or even rare small mammals like chinchillas.
"When my chinchilla, Yuki, got sick I had no idea what to do. If he had been a dog or a cat, I wouldn't have had a problem. A chinchilla? I have absolutely no idea what to do when they get sick." says Grace Cavanaugh, Veterinary Assistant at Animal Hospital of Lake Villa. "Even the emergency clinic I called told me there was nothing they could do and didn't have an exotics vet on staff. I was at an absolute loss and felt helpless. I was so scared my little guy wasn't going to make it. I had to turn to my Facebook chinchilla group for help! Luckily a friend and member of this chinchilla group reached out and suggested Chicago Exotics in Skokie" stated Cavanaugh. This meant she had to drive an hour away just get her chinchilla, Yuki examined. Miss Cavanaugh is no stranger to veterinary medicine either, she has been in the veterinary field for over 17 years and is now the Treatment Manager at Animal Hospital of Lake Villa. Regarding Dr. Morton's arrival, Cavanaugh said "Knowing that we are bringing in a veterinarian, Dr. Morton, that can care for my chinchilla, and other exotics too, so very close to home puts my mind at ease. I have someone I can turn to now that can help if my little guy ever has this happen again."
Dr. Erica Morton will be starting at the Animal Hospital of Lake Villa in early May. Anyone looking to make an appointment with her can call the hospital at (847) 356-VETS or visit their website at www.lakevillavet.com for more information.