Dr. Alex Lesniak, MA, MRCVS

09/20/2024

Happy International Red Panda Day!!!
to my Potawatomi Zoo intern days! These little ones gave kisses in exchange for treats.

09/19/2024

09/19/2024

🐹

09/19/2024

🐭

09/18/2024

Happy National Bird Day! ❤️
Birds are the best!

🦜 National Pet Bird Day 🦜

Let’s see some pics of your feathered friends!

And remember, if you are thinking of inviting a new companion into your family- adopt, don’t shop.

09/18/2024

09/10/2024

❤️ please just be kind.
Use common sense, be understanding.
We only want what is best for your pet.

Today is Su***de Prevention Day.
Unfortunately many of us have been touched personally by this - some on deeper levels than others.
For me, I'm constantly concerned with my team.
We absolutely have great days here at Roseland Animal Hospital.
We also, have sad days.
And then we have angry days. And it's those angry days that are harder for us.
Being blamed for life that is not in our control.
Today, let us take time to pray for those suffering an emotional burden of depression and/or anxiety that is allowing them to feel like their life is not needed.
We are all important.
We all matter.
You matter.

What can you do?
Say hi!
Ask someone you know how they are feeling.
Smile

was started in honor of late Dr. Sophia Yin. I had the opportunity early in my career to attend her lectures. She was so special. As we all are.

https://www.nomv.org/about/story/

09/10/2024

❤️ please just be kind.
Use common sense, be understanding.
We only want what is best for your pet.

09/08/2024

It’s National Iguana Day!

Throwback to 2013 when I got to spend a week in Anegada, a 8 mile island in the British Virgin Islands in aid of the Fort Worth Texas Zoo!

We tracked and recorded movement of the Rock Iguana as well as collected data on babies found.
The Rock Iguana is only found on this island and sadly people have brought feral cat colonies over, which had been killing the babies. The zoo started this program to get find the nests and keep the babies at a center in the island till they were big enough to protect themselves!

It was a cool experience and a beautiful place!

09/01/2024

I learned so much at my first in person veterinary conference last week!

The Joint ARAV & AEMV Conference had so many great talks and hands-on labs.
I was able to say hello to one of my mentors Dr. Horton, saw my vet school idol and professor, Jo Hedley from , hear a presentation from a vet who’s social media is always awesome to follow, attend multiple amazing talks by .animal.doctor who I have followed for years due to all his exotics work, and got to meet the lovely in person!!!
I made a few friends along the way that I look forward to keeping up with and meeting up at conferences in the future!
Can’t wait for more future conferences!

08/26/2024

Started off the official welcome of the conference in NOLA fashion!

Jazz parade and free beignets!

08/25/2024

Day 1 AM session! So helpful and just the first of two workshops!

08/24/2024

On the way!

🚨 2 Days to Go! 🚨

The ARAV & AEMV Joint Conference is just around the corner! 🦎🦜🐢

We’ll be gathering with top experts and passionate professionals in exotic and reptile veterinary medicine. Get ready for an incredible experience filled with insightful sessions, hands-on workshops, and valuable networking.

📅 Dates: 25-29 August
📍 Location: New Orleans

Pack your bags, finalize your plans, and get excited—this is an event you won’t want to miss!

08/14/2024

We are proud to announce our Pawsitive Start Adoption Program pet for August! So far, this program has been able to get four amazing long-term residents into their forever homes. Will Ruth have the same lucky outcome as everyone else?

Veterinarian Dr. August Murphy says this about Ruth:
"Meet Ruth, a spirited and playful companion whose personality truly shines when she's with other big, energetic dogs. Ruth can play for hours on end, delighting in toys and sharing them graciously with her furry friends. While she may initially be a bit nervous when meeting new people, a gentle and patient approach will quickly reveal her affectionate and loving nature. Ruth is ready to find a forever home where she can share her joy and playful spirit."

When you adopt our featured pet through our Pawsitive Start Adoption program, you will receive:
- $0 Adoption Fees
- Free Leash, Collar, and Harness
- Free Dog or Cat Tag
- Free Bag of Pet Food
- Free Food and Water Bowls
- And an Amazing New Pet!

This program is only for the featured pet, and cannot be used for any other adoptable animals in the shelter. This program is also only valid during a certain time period.

08/14/2024

❤️

"Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them." ~Dalai Lama
Happy World Elephant Day! 🐘This is a day to come together and raise awareness for these gentle giants who are critically endangered. Offer your support by spreading awareness and/or donating to organizations such as Sheldrick Wildlife Trust who are fiercely dedicated to preserve and protect them.

08/08/2024

Minnie made a visit to work with me to help newer staff become more comfortable with birds! Needless to say she converted them to being a believer! From pats to snuggles!
I think she then ended up on 5 people’s laps because she just loves snuggles!
It made my heart so full to see people love and connect with
Good job being an ambassador today, Miss Minerva!

07/21/2024

July 15th was Day. 🔥

(I missed posting in time - 🤪)

Keep furry friends safe by having a plan, installing smoke detectors & keeping pets away from flames. https://buff.ly/4exIDkt

07/20/2024

Neuter clinic day! ✂️✂️✂️
I did 9 neuters today and we fixed a total of 27 pets!
Love giving back to the community like this.

07/20/2024

Did 9 neuters today!
I love doing this stuff for the community.

07/20/2024

Flystrike, also called myiasis, is a painful and potentially fatal condition resulting from flies laying their eggs on the bird’s body. The eggs hatch into maggots which will start eating the flesh of their host.Birds with ‘pasty butt’, open wounds, mite infestations, and the Cornish Cross chickens are most at risk.
Prevention Tips:
*Inspect your birds daily, especially the area below the vent.
*Promptly treat any open wounds. Do not leave them uncovered.
*Keep feathers clean and free of f***s. Trim vent feathers if needed.
*Control fly populations.
Fly strike should be addressed immediately and considered urgent. Fly eggs can hatch into maggots within a matter of hours. One female fly lays eggs in batches of 150 or more.
For additional information please refer to https://poultrydvm.com.

07/20/2024

What do you do when plans change and you have time off? Go to and have an amazing shadowing experience!

I cannot express how amazing this week was. I learned so much from some of the leading exotic vets in the country! I was welcomed and encouraged immediately. I was just as impressed with this hospital as a client as I am from behind the scenes. They gave Winifred another year and have helped get Rose Tyler back on track! She was originally supposed to come with me but she passed the egg part so the procedure wasn’t needed and I will do her implant here!

I feel even more excited to continue to learn and treat exotics species! This hospital has been a great mentor for complex cases, especially since I am the only vet who sees exotics at RAH now. Dr. D gave me an amazing foundation, and between Chicago and conferences coming up, things only go up from here!
A few things I got to see:
- various rodent dentals
- small mammal lumpectomies
- bladder exploratory on a rabbit
- blood work interpretation
- cytology
- lots of radiographs
- lots of clinical reasoning and case work ups
- and more!
It’s a drive and a hotel but I would totally return to learn more.
Thank you to you all at Chicago Exotics! You truly are an amazing example of a wonderful hospital all around- treating even the smallest exotic with love and respect. 💜

07/16/2024

July 16th was World Snake Day. While I missed the day of posting I didn't want to lose an opportunity to share info about this incredible animal.

There are ~3,400 species of snakes in the world
Snakes live on every continent apart from Antarctica, in oceans and on mountains.
Snakes come in all types of shape, color and size.
Snakes don’t have eyelids.
Snakes can’t bite food so have to swallow it whole

06/30/2024

🎆 With Independence Day just 8 days away, it's crucial to keep our furry friends safe and calm. Check out our image for essential tips on ensuring your pets stay secure and comfortable during the festivities. Let's make this a safe and stress-free holiday for our beloved pets! 🐾❤️