Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Some graphic moments in veterinarian reality.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Dr. K's Exotic Animal ER
What's the Story?
DR. K'S EXOTIC ANIMAL ER is a reality series featuring Dr. Susan Kelleher, the owner and operator of an exotic animal care practice in South Florida that treats every pet except cats and dogs. From performing a delicate sinus surgery on a rabbit to performing a laser procedure on a snake, Kelleher and her staff, including intern Lauren Thielen and vet tech Kristin Runkle, work hard to ensure the wellness of almost any animal that can fit through the door. Luckily they have office manager Jeanine Busto to keep things running smoothly. As she works with her unique patients, Dr. Kelleher offers information about the different breeds of animals, their medical issues, and the surgical procedures she's performing.
Is It Any Good?
From prairie dogs to raccoons, Dr. K's Exotic Animal ER showcases the range of animals that people are raising as household pets. It highlights the various medical issues these animals have, including conditions that develop as a result of living in captivity. It also shows how vet professionals must often improvise to meet individual animal's needs.
The way the veterinarians go about working with the individuals (and their owners) is interesting. But if you're on the squeamish side, you might find the graphic scenes of difficult surgeries a little hard to watch. But animal lovers and aspiring veterinarians will learn a lot from watching and will appreciate how well these patients are cared for.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what makes (and doesn't make) a good pet. What are some of the dangers associated with raising animals that normally live in the wild? Do TV shows such as this one inspire people to keep exotic pets?
TV Details
- Premiere date : October 4, 2014
- Cast : Susan Kelleher , Lauren Thielen , Kristin Runkle
- Network : NatGeoWild
- Genre : Reality TV
- Topics : Animals ( Wild Animals )
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate