Laura Higham is a veterinary consultant in sustainable livestock production at the Food Animal Initiative (FAI) and one of the directors at Vet Sustain. She is also studying for a PhD in antimicrobial use in agriculture at The Global Academy for Agriculture and Food Security at Edinburgh University and holds an MSc in international animal health.
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Exotics or NTCAs: What should you call the ‘weird’ pets?
You may have heard us mention these types of animals on Veterinary Ramblings before: they include hedgehogs, sugar gliders, and many other small furry friends – often called ‘exotic’.
But why do we call them exotic? Is this term really accurate? And what does it mean for owners of these animals?