Many pet owners take their dogs and cats to the vet regularly for check-ups and when they get sick. But what about pet birds – should they also see an avian veterinarian? There are good reasons to take your feathered friends to the vet.
Do birds need to go to the vet?
Yes, birds should see an avian vet. Here’s why:
- Preventative care – Checkups allow the vet to catch problems early before they become serious.
- Illness diagnosis – Avian vets can diagnose and treat illnesses specific to birds that regular vets may miss.
- Injuries – Birds can suffer broken bones, wounds, etc. that need medical care.
- Surgery – Some conditions like tumors may require surgical removal.
- Testing – Birds can be tested and screened for infectious diseases.
- Medications – Birds often need specialized medications that only avian vets can prescribe.
- Nutrition advice – Vets provide guidance on proper bird diets and supplements.
- Behavior issues – Avian vets can address feather plucking, screaming, aggression, etc.
- Emergencies – Having an avian vet already selected provides care when needed urgently.
Seeing an avian vet helps keep birds healthy and solves medical problems specific to their species. Birds are very good at hiding illness until it becomes severe. Checkups allow issues to be caught and treated early before they become critical.
How often should pet birds go to the vet?
Most avian vets recommend bringing healthy birds for wellness exams 1-2 times per year. Schedule your bird’s first vet visit shortly after getting them to establish a baseline of health. After that, annual or biannual visits allow the vet to monitor weight, look for signs of disease, and address any issues.
Schedule wellness visits when your bird is healthy. This allows thorough examination and diagnostic testing without anesthesia if the bird is stable. Visit the vet right away if you notice any signs of illness between exams. Don’t wait on veterinary care when your bird seems sick. Birds deteriorate rapidly so timely treatment is critical.
Also take your bird to the vet immediately after acquiring them even if they seem fine. Quarantine new birds for 30-45 days and have them vet-checked to avoid introducing disease into your home. Schedule a followup exam at the end of quarantine as illnesses may take time to manifest.
What does a bird vet check for during an exam?
There are many aspects to an avian wellness exam:
- Physical exam – Weight, crop/abdomen palpation, eyes, ears, nose, skin, feathers, foot/leg joints, muscle tone, and more.
- Parasite check – Fecal float and skin/feather exams check for mites, lice, worms, giardia, etc.
- Blood work – Assesses organ function, blood cell counts, nutritional status, diseases, etc.
- DNA testing – Sexes young birds and screens for genetic diseases.
- Viral screening – Tests for avian-specific infectious viruses like polyomavirus.
- Behavior review – Checks for signs of neurologic issues or psychological problems.
- Nutrition consultation – Vet evaluates diet and makes feeding recommendations.
- Vaccinations – Birds may need certain annual shots.
- Nail trim – Overgrown nails can be trimmed to prevent injury.
This thorough top-to-bottom exam allows the vet to evaluate all aspects of your bird’s health and well-being. Based on exam findings, diagnostic testing, and your bird’s history, the vet can identify existing or emerging health issues and prescribe appropriate treatment.
Common avian vet visits
There are some common reasons birds need veterinary visits beyond their regular checkups:
Emergencies
Birds can suffer injuries or sudden illness requiring emergency vet care:
- Broken blood feathers
- Broken bones
- Egg binding or dystocia
- Seizures
- Heat or cold stroke
- Attack by predator or dog/cat
- Poisoning
- Respiratory distress
Don’t hesitate to rush your bird to an emergency vet clinic if they have an urgent medical issue. Birds can decline rapidly when injured or ill, so quick treatment is essential.
Injuries
Birds can suffer various traumatic injuries that require vet attention:
- Broken bones
- Head trauma
- Wounds and lacerations
- Damaged beak
- Dislocations
- Feather picking wounds
- Burns
Bandaging, splinting, surgery, and medications may be needed to treat injuries depending on severity. Follow all at-home care instructions provided by your avian vet.
Infections
Birds can develop bacterial, fungal, yeast, and parasitic infections affecting different body systems:
- Respiratory infections
- GI infections
- Skin/feather infections
- Oral infections
- Eye infections
- Ear infections
- Urinary tract infections
- Reproductive infections
Culture and sensitivity testing helps identify the organism and best antibiotic for treatment. Follow medication dosage and duration instructions. Isolate infected birds from other pets. Disinfect cages, toys, food bowls, etc. to prevent transmission.
Egg binding or dystocia
Female birds may have difficulty passing an egg. This can become life threatening if the egg gets stuck. Symptoms include:
- Straining
- Sitting fluffed up
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Swelling around vent
Emergency vet care provides fluids, calcium, oxytocin, and lubricants to help pass the egg. If that fails, egg surgery or ovariectomy may be needed. Prevention involves providing optimal nutrition/supplements and limiting light exposure to 10-12 hours daily.
Growths or masses
Birds can develop benign and malignant tumors in various areas:
- Skin
- Muscle
- Reproductive tract
- Gastrointestinal tract
- Liver
- Kidneys
- Respiratory tract
Diagnostic testing like biopsies determine if growths are cancerous. Treatment options include surgical removal, chemotherapy, radiation, etc. Prognosis depends on the tumor type, location, and spread.
Dental issues
Birds’ beaks continuously grow. Abnormal wear and malocclusion can lead to overgrowth requiring trimming:
- Overgrown upper or lower beak
- Misaligned upper and lower beak
- Malocclusion or scissor beak
- Gas bubbles or infection under keratin layer
Some dental conditions like beak necrosis may require anesthesia for treatment. Providing proper abrasive surfaces in the cage helps wear down beaks naturally.
Preparing for your bird’s vet visit
Proper preparation helps ensure your bird’s vet visit goes smoothly:
Find an avian vet
See an experienced bird doctor, not just a general vet. Locate an avian vet in advance so you’re ready when an issue arises. Search directories through the Association of Avian Veterinarians.
Schedule an appointment
Book your appointment in advance for routine wellness exams or new health concerns. Emergencies are seen as walk-ins when possible. Inform staff this is an avian patient so proper setup is available.
Fast before visit
Withhold food for 3-4 hours before so crop is empty for exam. Water is fine. Don’t fast birds showing signs of illness.
Gather history
Write down details about your bird’s health, diet, environment, behavior, etc. This helps the vet make an accurate diagnosis. Bring prior medical records if available.
Transport bird properly
Use a secure carrier labeled “Live Bird” appropriate for your bird’s size. Avoid fabric bags as birds can overheat. Drape a light cover to minimize stress. Don’t let small birds loose in your car.
Bring supplies
Bring your bird’s regular food, medications, supplements, etc. in case an extended stay is needed. Bring their favorite toy or perch for comfort.
Costs to expect
Avian vet fees range widely depending on the services provided. Expect to pay:
- Wellness exam: $50-$100
- Emergency visit: $100-$250
- Fecal or viral screening: $50-$150
- X-rays or bloodwork: $100-$300
- Hospitalization: $100-$500 per day
- Surgery: $300-$3000 depending on procedure
Have an avian fund saved or look into pet insurance to help cover larger bills. Providing great care for your feathered companion is worth the investment!
Home care after the avian vet
Follow all post-visit instructions carefully:
Administer medications
Give medications exactly as prescribed. Never stop early even if your bird seems better.
Monitor appetite and droppings
Watch your bird’s food intake and droppings consistency. Notify the vet if abnormalities persist.
Limit activity
Rest is important after injury, surgery, or illness. No flying or over-exertion during recovery.
Provide supportive care
Offer easy-to-eat foods and supplemental heat, fluids, or nutritional support as needed.
Separate from other pets
Isolate treated birds during recovery to prevent disease transmission or bullying by cagemates.
Return for rechecks
Bring your bird back for necessary rechecks to evaluate healing progress and medication efficacy.
Proper aftercare and close monitoring facilitates healing and prevents complications in your recovering bird. Be vigilant and don’t hesitate to call your avian vet with any concerns.
Conclusion
Regular vet visits keep pet birds healthy, catch problems early, and provide life-saving care when emergencies occur. Birds are masters at masking illness until it becomes severe. Don’t wait to seek veterinary help – birds can deteriorate very quickly. Establish a relationship with an experienced avian vet and bring your feathered friend in for checkups at least annually. Given appropriate medical care when needed, birds can live many years with their owners and thrive. Your avian companion is worth the investment!
