Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Siu.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
When I was in veterinary school 8 years ago, I started posting about my journey, as well as interesting pet facts. Over time, my following grew, especially as I expanded my social media from Instagram to TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook. Now, as a veterinarian, I’m honored to be educating over 1 million followers worldwide. Although I have a special focus on exotic pets ranging from parrots to rabbits to lizards, I see dogs and cats as well.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Veterinary school was very challenging, as there was just so much information to learn in so little time. I had a special interest in exotic animals, which just meant there was even more I had to learn. It’s impossible to know everything about everything, but over the years I’ve become quite comfortable treating birds such as chickens and parrots, reptiles such as snakes and turtles, and small mammals such as rabbits and guinea pigs, all alongside dogs and cats.
Now, my biggest challenges are balancing everything while having a family- I now have a 2.5 year old and a 7 month old (human babies) at home.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Dr. Rachel Siu is a veterinarian based in Dallas, focusing on the care of dogs, cats, and exotic animals. She practices at Carrollton West Pet Hospital in Carrollton, Texas, and is widely recognized for her engaging educational content on social media, where she shares insights into veterinary medicine with a global audience.
Dr. Siu earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 2017. She was admitted early to Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine, graduating in 2021. During her veterinary training, she completed externships at the Dallas Zoo, Fort Worth Zoo, and Dallas World Aquarium. She also gained international experience working with native wildlife in South Africa, Thailand, and Vietnam.
At Carrollton West Pet Hospital, Dr. Siu provides comprehensive care for a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, and small mammals. Her clinical interests encompass avian, reptile, and small mammal medicine, as well as preventive and emergency care for traditional pets. She is dedicated to educating the public about veterinary medicine through her social media platforms, where she shares informative content with over one million followers worldwide.
Known online as @exotic.pet.vet, Dr. Siu has cultivated a substantial following across multiple platforms:
Instagram
TikTok: Over 777,000 followers and 21.7 million likes .
Instagram: Over 118,000 followers
YouTube: Over 227,000 followers
Facebook: Over 38,000 followers
Her content often includes case studies, exotic pet care tips, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into her veterinary practice.
Dr. Siu is married to a physician, and together they have two sons. Their household includes a variety of pets: two rescue cats, two box turtles, two snakes, a gecko, and and a macaw (her house is never quiet!).
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Social media has connected me with friends all around the world. I’ve been lucky enough to meet many of these friends in person while attending conferences or shooting promotional material.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/exotic.pet.vet
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/exotic.pet.vet
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reptilevet
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrRachel
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@exotic.pet.vet
