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Choosing a Qualified Avian Vet
By Tamara Sevigny
Finding a qualified avian veterinarian and establishing a good relationship is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your pet bird. Avian vets may be hard to find, depending on where you live, but a bird’s anatomy is very different from that of a dog or a cat. Birds require a qualified veterinarian who can give them the specialized care they require. Furthermore, if you are a new bird owner, an avian vet can answer all the many questions you may have about your new feathered friend.
There are a lot of things to consider when choosing a vet for your bird. There are a few basic steps that you can take to ensure that the doctor you choose is qualified and equipped to provide the care you and your bird require.
Locating an Avian Vet
The hardest part of choosing an avian veterinarian in Connecticut is simply finding one. But there are resources available to help you find the right vet for you. The easiest place to start with is the local yellow pages. Most veterinarians who specialize in avian and other exotic medicine will advertise this in their yellow page ads.
Another resource that you may not be aware of that is of excellent reference for all bird owners, is the Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV). The AAV maintains a list of qualified veterinarians. They have a veterinarian locator to help you find a vet in your area. Visit www.aav.org for more information.
Additionally, information on local vets can be obtained by contacting Connecticut’s Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA). The CVMA’s web site offers a search for veterinarians broken down by county. Visit www.ctvet.org for more information.
Questions to Ask
Once you have chosen a possible veterinarian you should schedule a visit to get acquainted and get any questions answered that you may have, not only about your bird and bird ownership, but also about the veterinarian and his/her practice. Make yourself a list of questions and write them down for your visit.
Some good questions to keep in mind for your first visit:
- How long have you been treating birds? Experience is the best teacher. Choosing a veterinarian with a lot of experience and schooling in avian medicine will ensure that your bird’s care is in the best of hands, not only for wellness checkups, but also in an emergency.
- Do you have pet birds? Subtle signs and body language are more obvious to those who are around birds all the time. This may help in diagnosing any problems.
- Are you familiar with my bird's species? There are so many types of birds and different birds will react differently to certain medical procedures. The vet needs to be knowledgeable about specific treatments that will and won’t work for your specific type of bird.
- Are you a member of the AAV or CVMA? These Associations advocate only the highest quality care.
- What are the costs of services? Owning exotic pets can be costly, especially when it comes to veterinary care. Make sure you get a copy of your vet’s fee schedule so there won’t be any surprises at the end of routine or emergency visits.
n Do you offer an after-hours or emergency care service? This is very important. Accidents can happen at any time. In the case of an emergency you need to know the procedure of getting your bird the care he needs as soon as possible.
- Do you make house calls? Birds easily get stressed when traveling. If your bird is very sick it may be necessary for the doctor to come to you.
A good veterinarian will provide clear answers to all of your questions, and will show a real interest in caring for birds.
Watch while your veterinarian relates with and examines your bird on the first visit. Does the vet seem comfortable handling the bird? Have they made an effort to make you comfortable? And to make sure your bird feels as little stress as possible?
Once you have made your final decision on a vet that is right for you and your bird make sure you keep an ongoing relationship with regular communication. Forming a good relationship with your vet early on in your bird’s life is important in providing a good, healthy, long life, and happiness to your feathered friend.
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