Molly is Dr Dolittle to an exotic menagerie (From Knutsford Guardian)

Molly is Dr Dolittle to an exotic menagerie

3:50pm Tuesday 1st December 2009

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A VILLAGE near Knutsford has its own exotic pet specialist.

Veterinary surgeon Molly Varga says she is just as happy helping cats and dogs as she is treating rhea ostriches and marmosets.

Molly, who works at Cheshire Pet in Holmes Chapel, was even recently given the ominous duty of microchipping a 40kg Burmese python.

But the vet told the Guardian that it was not as difficult as it sounds.

She said: “Luckily it was a very large snake which makes it easier to handle and for the owners to hold it down.

“Relatively, the size of the animal doesn’t matter. It’s a matter of knowing where to put the microchip. It’s a good way to prove ownership.”

Molly is the only vet in private practice to hold a mammalian qualification called the BVetMed DZoomed MRCVS.

She ranks as one of the top exotic mammalian specialists in the country and is much in demand for referral cases from other veterinary practices when her expertise is needed.

“It’s allowed me to explore a lot more avenues,” Molly added.

But Molly said that most animals not classed as companion or livestock fall under the ‘exotic’ classification.

Typically, Molly, who previously worked in an avian and exotic clinic with a special interest in rabbit medicine and surgery, examines the likes of hamsters and guinea pigs.

However, her case load can often include various bird and reptile species.

She said: “The job is quite varied as there are a lot more species you can have as pets now.”

Molly also has strong links with Lower Moss Wood Wildlife Hospital, near Knutsford, and helps treat wild animals and birds.

She visits the hospital each week and has recently operated on a badger with a broken leg and tended to five baby hoglets.

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