Bladder Stones in Guinea Pigs: A Family Guide
Squeaking while peeing, blood in the urine or a guinea pig that stops eating can mean bladder stones. Signs, surgery, recurrence and prevention.
October 2026The only board-certified exotic companion mammal vet practicing in Tennessee, seeing patients in Nashville.
At Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital in Antioch, Dr. Kopp sees rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, chinchillas, hedgehogs, sugar gliders, and other legally owned companion mammals such as foxes and squirrels.
Dr. Logan Kopp grew up in Nashville. He earned his Bachelor of Science from Lipscomb University and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Tennessee. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in Exotic Companion Mammal Practice, and a Fellow in Companion Animal Pain Management.
He is the only veterinarian currently practicing in Tennessee with that specialty title. In Antioch, TN, he is the rabbit specialist at Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital. Clinics across Middle Tennessee refer rabbits and other exotic companion mammals to him.
He consults for the Veterinary Information Network on exotic companion mammal cases. He is the only Gold-level rabbit-friendly veterinarian certified by the Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund in North America, and he is listed with the House Rabbit Society.
He sees any legally owned companion mammal, including foxes and squirrels. He does not treat birds or reptiles.
These are the animals he sees most weeks. If yours is not on the list, call and ask.
Visits are at Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital. He does not treat birds or reptiles. For a bird, a reptile, or another animal he does not see, call the clinic and they can help you find the right referral.
Rabbit, ferret, and guinea pig care in Nashville, along with the other exotic companion mammals referred to Priest Lake.
Most rabbit visits are for GI stasis, dental disease, urinary disease, an RHDV2 vaccine, or pain. Surgery includes appendectomy, abscess surgery, and dental extractions. This is a Gold-level rabbit-friendly practice.
Ferrets are seen for adrenal disease, insulinoma, and gastrointestinal disease, including adrenal surgery.
Guinea pigs, chinchillas, hedgehogs, sugar gliders, rats, mice, degus, and other legally owned companion mammals such as foxes and squirrels. Mammary tumor removal is a common surgery in rats.
In-house laboratory work, digital radiographs, and ultrasound are available here, and CT is arranged through Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital when a case needs it. Pain assessment is part of every case.
Rabbit surgery includes appendectomy, abscess surgery, abdominal surgery for an intestinal obstruction, liver lobectomy for liver lobe torsion, nasal and ear surgery, and dental extractions. Ferrets are seen for adrenal surgery. Rats are seen for mastectomy when a mammary tumor needs to come off. Spay and neuter, mass removal, and exploratory surgery are also offered, depending on the species and the size of the patient. When a case needs CT, it is arranged with Nashville Veterinary Specialists.
Dr. Kopp sees patients at Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital in Antioch (Nashville), Tennessee. Families come from Nashville, Brentwood, Franklin, Murfreesboro, and across the Middle Tennessee area when they need a rabbit, guinea pig, chinchilla, or ferret vet.
A few notes from people who have seen Dr. Kopp at Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital:
“Dr. Kopp is so knowledgeable and was amazing with HoneyBunn. Even though they were booked solid they make you feel as though you are the only patient there.”
Sierra S.“Dr. Kopp is amazing with rabbits! He’s board certified and truly knows his stuff. My bunny had surgery here and received excellent care. The facility has advanced equipment including CT scanning.”
Jennifer M.“Best place I've ever taken my guinea pigs. Their prices are reasonable... Dr Kopp is fantastic! He is very thorough and has been very helpful with my boys!”
Megan P.See more recent reviews on Google.
Guides for Nashville-area families who share their homes with rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, and other small companions.
Squeaking while peeing, blood in the urine or a guinea pig that stops eating can mean bladder stones. Signs, surgery, recurrence and prevention.
October 2026Chinchillas need constant chewing and a cool home. Signs of dental disease and heatstroke, prevention tips, and when to call a Nashville vet.
October 2026Arthritis, dental and back pain often go unnoticed in rabbits, guinea pigs and ferrets. Signs of chronic pain and home changes that really help.
October 2026Case discussions, recent literature, and referral guidance for veterinarians and technicians across Middle Tennessee.
Seven recent exotic companion mammal papers: rabbit CT restraint, jaw fractures, bulla ultrasound, glaucoma, ferret blockage, guinea pig culture.
October 2026A 24-ferret AJVR study compared glucometers with a chemistry analyzer at a 60 mg/dL cutoff. Practical options for insulinoma monitoring.
October 2026112 isolates from 63 ill guinea pigs: Corynebacterium dominated urine, and only half of urinary isolates were TMS-susceptible. Practical options.
October 2026Yes. Dr. Logan Kopp is Nashville's exotic companion mammal specialist. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in Exotic Companion Mammal Practice, and the only veterinarian currently practicing in Tennessee with that specialty title. Appointments are at Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital, 2445 Morris Gentry Blvd, Nashville, TN 37013.
Call Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital at (615) 361-4646. The hospital is a Gold-level rabbit-friendly practice. People usually call about a rabbit that has stopped eating, dental disease, a urinary problem, or an RHDV2 vaccine. After hours, exotic companion mammal consults go through Veterinary Emergency Group in Franklin, Murfreesboro, or West Nashville.
Yes. Dr. Kopp sees rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, chinchillas, hedgehogs, sugar gliders, rats, mice, degus, and other legally owned companion mammals such as foxes and squirrels. He does not treat birds or reptiles.
Yes. Call (615) 361-4646 or use the Priest Lake referral form. A history, a recent weight, and any radiographs are useful. The patient goes back to the referring clinic for ongoing care.
Call to book a visit, or send a case.
Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital
2445 Morris Gentry Blvd
Nashville, TN 37013
Phone: (615) 361-4646
Website: priestlakevet.com
Hours
Monday to Friday: 7:30 AM to 7:00 PM
Saturday and Sunday: Closed
Veterinarians in Nashville and across Middle Tennessee refer exotic companion mammals for a second opinion, dentistry, gastrointestinal disease, urinary disease, pain management, and surgery when it fits the species. Patients return to the referring veterinarian for ongoing care.
After hours, exotic companion mammal consults go through Veterinary Emergency Group in Franklin, Murfreesboro, and West Nashville. Dr. Kopp consults with those teams as needed and can provide surgical care for those emergencies.
Most patients come from Nashville and Antioch. Others come from Franklin, Brentwood, Murfreesboro, Hendersonville, Mount Juliet, Spring Hill, Columbia, and Gallatin, across the Middle Tennessee area.