{"id":8894,"date":"2014-02-06T06:48:17","date_gmt":"2014-02-06T06:48:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lafeber.com\/pet-birds\/?p=8894"},"modified":"2025-08-04T00:02:01","modified_gmt":"2025-08-04T05:02:01","slug":"need-avian-veterinarian","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/pet-birds\/need-avian-veterinarian\/","title":{"rendered":"Why You Need An Avian Veterinarian"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"side
Photo by strichpunkt\/Pixabay<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While pet owners might think of February as National Pet Dental Health Awareness Month, this title doesn\u2019t really address those of us who have birds. Now, birds do have an \u201cegg tooth\u201d briefly, which they use to hatch out of the egg, but perhaps birds need their own slogan: National Responsible Pet Owners Month!<\/p>\n

I am always amazed that most folks, when they get a new dog or cat, think to take it to a veterinarian to \u201ccheck it out\u201d and get their \u201cshots,\u201d \u00a0but few people think to take their new bird to the vet! Sadly, when birds get sick, many owners seek over-the-counter treatments at the pet store. If they only knew that the antibiotics that are pre-packaged are most oftentimes the wrong dose and kill the remaining good bacteria. More importantly, it wastes precious time to treat the bird while there is still time. I have heard it said that, \u201cI took my bird to a vet when he was down on the bottom the cage,\u201d and the owner spent a lot of my money, \u201cbut the bird died anyway!\u201d<\/p>\n

There are important clues in that statement. The first is \u2026 “I took it to a vet.” This sounds like this person thinks that all vets are created equal, at least when it comes to knowledge about birds. That is far from the truth. Bird or avian veterinary medicine is not an integral part of the standard curriculum at any of our four-year veterinary schools. They may provide an introduction to avian medicine and some schools might even give students some hands-on experience; however, as I used to say when I taught avian medicine at The University of Tennessee, you learn enough to be dangerous! What does that mean?<\/p>\n

It means that the veterinary student is provided with a basic understanding of a small part of avian medicine. That could be enough to get started in lifesaving measures, but not enough to diagnose and treat many of the conditions of companion parrots<\/a>. That takes more training \u2014 like a one-year internship piled on top of a two- to three-year residency working under a skilled, board-certified avian veterinarian in an approved residency program. Veterinarians who are board certified have taken the time \u2014 at least four years along with written reports, and two days of intense testing \u2014 to master parts of avian medicine. The process involves mountains of work and dedication. Yet, even after that, there is always more to know. You might know a lot about Amazons<\/a> and macaws<\/a> but may have limited knowledge about kookaburras or Anna\u2019s hummingbirds.<\/p>\n

How Vetted Is Your Vet?<\/h2>\n

Veterinarians can say they \u201csee\u201d birds, as anyone graduating from vet school can legally say, even with limited understanding of birds and their care. They may develop their skills and knowledge over time, but they currently have limited expertise.\u00a0The next rung of the ladder holds those veterinarians who list that they are members of the Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV). These individuals have the potential to learn current therapies and techniques; but still, the questions that matter are, \u201cWhen did he or she last attend the annual conference?\u201d and \u201cHow many conferences has he or she attended in the past?\u201d The AAV Conference provides cutting-edge information, but only if one is there to learn it.\u00a0A higher rung holds those who say that their practice is limited to birds, for these veterinarians have considerable experience with birds.\u00a0Those who are board-certified have gone even further down the road of education to get certification, and they have also attended conferences and done a variety of continual learning courses to be re-certified. All of this takes considerable time, effort and money and part of that expenditure is why the examination charge from a board-certified avian vet is often higher than what a general practice dog and cat veterinarian would charge. This is for a good reason, as my old friend Liz Wilson would say<\/a>! That boarded person has more expertise, and should be comparably priced to other board-certified veterinarians, yet the office call is often less.<\/p>\n

So What Is A Responsible Bird Owner To Do If Their Bird Is Sick?<\/h2>\n

Unfortunately, many people forgo taking their bird to the vet until it is too late, as in, “Now I should take my bird to the vet because it is down on the bottom of the cage.” When a bird is that sick, it is very difficult (for anyone, no matter their knowledge or expertise) to bring the bird back from the brink of death. That is often the case when a bird is so weak it is unable to leave the cage floor. At this point, all of the bird’s body\u2019s resources have been used up trying to appear normal to the flock, and the bird can no longer support himself. In the wild, obviously sick birds could be driven from the flock or be selected for attack by a predator. So, sick birds tend to disguise their illness until they are no longer able to do so.<\/p>\n

Despite the difficulty, early detection of subtle signs enhances treatment success. The subtle signs of illness in pet birds include:<\/p>\n

Changes In General Appearance And Posture<\/strong><\/p>\n

When birds get sick, they often sit lower on the perch; spend more time ruffled than they do during their normal afternoon nap time, and tuck their heads and sleep more.<\/p>\n

Changes In The Feathers<\/strong><\/p>\n

The quality and color of the feathers reflect the overall health of the bird. Birds that are fluffed and ruffled, and those with wet, stained, or matted feathers (particularly over the cere or nostrils), should also be examined.<\/p>\n

Changes In Head Appearance<\/strong><\/p>\n

Examine the contour or shape of the head, beak, nares or nostrils and the surrounding feathers for any changes.<\/p>\n

Look for these signs of illness:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Dullness to the eyes<\/li>\n
  • Eye(s) sunken into the skull, indicating dehydration<\/li>\n
  • Swellings around the head, suggesting an upper respiratory tract infection or tumor<\/li>\n
  • Nasal discharge resulting from an upper respiratory tract infection<\/li>\n
  • Fluid, clear or purulent, above the nares or on the cranial margin of the carpus or the wrist on the wing<\/li>\n
  • Rubbing the head or the bird \u201cwiping its nose\u201d to clear discharge or to relieve pressure exerted in the sinuses<\/li>\n
  • Feather loss around any part of the head, particularly the area around the nares or nostrils<\/li>\n
  • Scratching at the nares or the side of the head frequently<\/li>\n
  • Sneezing often, particularly with a discharge<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Changes In Your Bird’s Behavior<\/strong><\/p>\n

    A bird that does not feel well may stop singing, talking or whistling. An ill bird may not be willing to interact with people.<\/p>\n

    Changes In Droppings<\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    • Lime green-colored feces suggest liver disease.<\/li>\n
    • Matting of the feathers around the vent from sticky droppings is abnormal.<\/li>\n
    • Blood tinged droppings are abnormal, indicating the bird needs medical attention.<\/li>\n
    • Large droppings in female birds often result from impending egg laying but may also be from an infection.<\/li>\n
    • Smaller and\/or fewer droppings indicate that the bird has reduced its food consumption, often because of illness.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Changes In Eating, Drinking, Or Digestion<\/strong><\/p>\n

      Daily observations of the amount of food consumed, quantity of water drunk, and number, consistency and odor of droppings are important in assessing each bird\u2019s health. Any changes from normal indicate a potential problem that should be evaluated further.<\/p>\n

      Changes In The Legs, Feet, Or Beak<\/strong><\/p>\n

      Problems with the legs and\/or feet alter the posture and stance. Birds that stand consistently on one leg need to be examined.<\/p>\n

      Changes In Breathing<\/strong><\/p>\n

      The unique respiratory system of birds is extremely efficient in a healthy bird, but disease can cause rapid changes that can be life-threatening<\/p>\n

      If your bird has any of the following signs, contact your avian veterinarian immediately:<\/p>\n

        \n
      • Wheezes and clicks when the bird takes a breath<\/li>\n
      • Increased rate of breathing<\/li>\n
      • Increased depth of breathing that can be observed as a tail bob with increased abdominal effort<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Keep your eye on your bird while you interact and play with it. Pay attention to the sometimes subtle changes listed above, and you can give your bird a fighting chance if it should become sick. If it is, take your bird to your avian veterinarian.\u00a0 Remember to give your bird a yearly checkup, just like your dog and cat, and have periodic grooming as needed. Your vet can use these times to evaluate your bird\u2019s health and intervene if needed. Since February is also Valentine\u2019s Day, treat your bird to a time to make sure it is healthy, for the love of your bird!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        Unfortunately, many people forgo taking their bird to the vet until it is too late, as in, “Now I should take my bird to the vet because it is down on the bottom of the cage.” When a bird is that sick, it is very difficult (for anyone, no matter their knowledge or expertise) to bring the bird back from the brink of death. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":43855,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[203],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8894","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-vet"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhy You Need An Avian Veterinarian – Pet Birds by Lafeber Co.<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Unfortunately, many people forgo taking their bird to the vet until it is too late, as in, "Now I should take my bird to the vet because it is down on the bottom of the cage." 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ABVP (Avian), Dipl. ECZM (Avian),\u00a0\u00a0received her Ph.D, in human neuroanatomy from the University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine and her DVM degree from Ohio State University. She is a board-certified specialist in avian medicine and surgery, both in the United States (ABVP, Avian) and in Europe (ECZM, Avian). She is known internationally through the advances made for the health care of birds, books and articles she has written, and her lectures to veterinarians and bird owners alike. After practicing in California, she went on to become a faculty member of the University of Tennessee, College of Veterinary Medicine from 1986 to 2000, where she taught avian medicine and surgery to veterinary students and residents. While there, she developed the Avian, Exotic Animal and Wildlife Service in the Veterinary Teaching Hospital and an avian residency program leading to board certification in avian medicine through ABVP. 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(Avian)","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/pet-birds\/wp-content\/uploads\/orosz-96x96.jpg","url":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/pet-birds\/wp-content\/uploads\/orosz-96x96.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/pet-birds\/wp-content\/uploads\/orosz-96x96.jpg","caption":"Susan Orosz, PhD, DVM, Dipl ABVP (Avian), Dipl ECZM (Avian)"},"description":"Susan Orosz, Ph.D., DVM, Dipl. ABVP (Avian), Dipl. ECZM (Avian),\u00a0\u00a0received her Ph.D, in human neuroanatomy from the University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine and her DVM degree from Ohio State University. She is a board-certified specialist in avian medicine and surgery, both in the United States (ABVP, Avian) and in Europe (ECZM, Avian). She is known internationally through the advances made for the health care of birds, books and articles she has written, and her lectures to veterinarians and bird owners alike. After practicing in California, she went on to become a faculty member of the University of Tennessee, College of Veterinary Medicine from 1986 to 2000, where she taught avian medicine and surgery to veterinary students and residents. While there, she developed the Avian, Exotic Animal and Wildlife Service in the Veterinary Teaching Hospital and an avian residency program leading to board certification in avian medicine through ABVP. This service was recognized for having the largest caseload of exotic animals at any American veterinary teaching hospital. She has a number of areas of concentration including avian nutrition, anatomy, fungal diseases, neuroanatomy and herbal medicine.\u00a0\u00a0She consults for the Lafeber Company as needed. Dr. Orosz\u00a0is past president of the Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV),\u00a0 has been a scientific editor for the\u00a0Journal of Avian\u00a0Medicine and Surgery and a recipient of the Dr. T.J. Lafeber Avian Practitioner of the Year award.\u00a0 She\u00a0is owner of Bird and Exotic Pet Wellness Center, an exclusively exotics veterinary hospital in Toledo, Ohio.","sameAs":["http:\/\/lafeber.com\/pet-birds\/about-susan-orosz\/"],"url":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/pet-birds\/author\/susan\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/pet-birds\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8894","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/pet-birds\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/pet-birds\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/pet-birds\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/pet-birds\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8894"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/pet-birds\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8894\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":44091,"href":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/pet-birds\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8894\/revisions\/44091"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/pet-birds\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/43855"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/pet-birds\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8894"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/pet-birds\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8894"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lafeber.com\/pet-birds\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8894"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}