Tag Archive for 'avian vet'

Keeping Your Pet Bird Full Of Life

Published on June 3, 2011 in Aviaries and Birds. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , , .

You’ve probably spend some hundred dollars to get your pet bird. And in order to not throw good money away, you must gain knowledge in how to keep you bird buzzing.

First on the list is food and water.  You can seeds or pellets from the pet shop for your bird.  You may also jazz up their diet once in a while however do not give them chocolates, some fruits and vegetables which are verified as toxic for their health.  Hydrate your pet with lots of water so they will not perish.  Regularly check the water bottle you have in their cage and see that it’s working properly.

Grooming of your bird is also essential.  They need to have their wings clipped for graceful landing and prevent erratic flight.  And apart from clipping of wings, your pet bird also has to have a regular bath.  This can be done by having them wash in a bowl that mimics a puddle or shower them with hose.  However, do not use shampoo or soap as this strip them of their natural oil and damage their feathers.  Dry them by patting towel over or simply let them do it naturally.  Do not use hair dryer to prevent burning them.

Someone may have mentioned never to keep your bird by the window or expose them to drafts but no explanation were provided.  This prevents the bird from inhaling toxic fumes if they are placed near the kitchen.  Drafts can also lead to loss of body heat leading to sickness.

Smoking or exposing them to fumes of household cleaning agents could affect your bird’s health.  It may lead to inflammation, respiratory problems and even their death.

Your pet bird requires room to spread their wings so you will need big cage for them. Getting them an aviary also prevents them from having internal injuries if they bump their heads on the sides of their cage.

There are some bird owners who happen to have other pets in the house.  If you have multiple pets, set your eye on your bird if you take them out of their cage.  If you have different species of birds, be sure to have them caged separately as some type could not exist side-by-side.

If you bring your bird wherever you go, never leave them in the car.  They can die of heat especially in humid temperatures.

Regularly take your pet bird to the vet for checkup.  Sensing that something is amiss with your bird, bring them to the clinic immediately for closer evaluation to prevent more serious complications.

Lastly, do not forget to take your bird back into the cage during bedtime.  Instead of risking what may happen to your pet bird as you are sleeping, as well, better put them back in their cage for safety.

Even though we cannot foretell what perils can meet your bird, their longevity depends on how you take care of them.  Consult your vet is you need assistance.

 

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Deciding on the Best Physician for Your Bird

Published on May 24, 2011 in Birds. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , , , .

Deciding on the Best Physician for Your BirdOur bird ought to be regularly visiting a vet we’ve chosen to assist us in taking care of them.  However not all doctors can provide best care for our pet.  You might want to consult someone who specializes in birds and this someone is called an avian veterinarian.  Consider someone who belongs to the prestigious Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV).

Members of AAV have six (6) or more years of knowledge and skills in bird health.  There are few numbers of AAV members worldwide and that includes roughly 70 in Australia.

However if there is no certified AAV in your area, the best that you can do is seek advice from a veterinarian as per recommendations of other bird owners.  Bird breeders and organizations for bird care and ownership are also good places to ask about looking for a suitable avian vet for your pet.  Or you may also check on the Yellow Pages.  Alternatively you can search online and set appointment with them.

During your initial visit to the vet’s office, talk to them about your expectations and take note of their answers.  It’s good to be advised how long they have been dealing with birds, the paraphernalia they use or even the trainings they had.  Also note how your pet bird behaves with them.  Ask them, as well, if they can be reached or consulted for emergency cases.  If not, ask for an alternate whom they trust and can provide you and your pet bird the attention your vet gives.

It is also nice to note prior or after speaking with prospective vet if they have a clean place and if it has a generally friendly atmosphere.  We wouldn’t want our pet to stay a night, say for observation, if the clinic is unhygienic as our bird may easily catch other bird’s disease.

A reliable doctor is someone who is interested in our pet only when they are sick but someone who offer pointers on handling small issues on our own.  You may be instructed on discerning if your bird is not feeling well and what you might need to do until you can bring your pet over.

As bird owners, we should have the apt avian first aid kit at home.  Included in this is a carrier to transport our pet bird as their aviary may not fit in the car.  Cotton swabs, betadine, tubing, gauze tape and some other things that your vet may recommend.  Ensure you have adequate supplies at any given time.

Our best friend in taking care of our pet is our veterinarian.  Their skills and knowledge about birds should be ample to give our trust to them and anticipate all is well.  While there are plenty of veterinarians, know which would be right for your pet bird.  Being able to speak with them initially should give you an idea on who to choose for your bird.

 

Finding Suitable Bird Doctor

Published on April 11, 2011 in Birds. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

Giving food, water and ample space for our pet birds is not our only tasks in caring for our birds.   It is also not enough to just spend time and bond with them.   In caring for our pet birds, it is important that we have a reputable avian veterinarian that can help us make our pet healthy so that it can live a long life.

It is possible that you have other pets such as a dog or a cat and may have an existing veterinarian for them.   However, this vet may not be the right kind of vet for your bird because birds have different anatomy compared to dogs and cats.   Thus, birds may have different needs that should be taken into consideration.

Where could you possibly find an avian doctor?

Try checking the Yellow Pages to get information or if not, you can try surfing the web and logging in to sites that may provide more facts and data that can assist you in selecting an avian vet.  The Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV) has a list of certified veterinarians that you can choose from.   The local Bird Club and local pet breeders may also be tapped for recommendations. They would most probably give the best advice based on their experiences.  You may also solicit help from the Veterinary Medical Association in your state.

After determining the vet that you would consult, make an appointment to know more about the vet’s work background and experiences.  Inquire about the length of his practice and what kind of animals/birds he has taken cared of.  Do not forget to inform him about what kind of bird aviary you have and ask if he is knowledgeable about the care of such bird.

Know the availability of the vet. Ask if he is amenable to making house calls. A slight difference in your pet birds’ environment can easily distress them which can make them difficult to move or travel. If in case the vet is not available, make sure that the vet who is taking over for the day has the know-how in attending to avian sicknesses and concerns.  Finding Suitable Bird Doctor

It is advantageous to question the vet if he is regularly posted on new methods in the avian medicine, especially if you have an exotic pet bird.  It is important too, that you know how much the vet will charge for his services.   You would want to be working with an expert vet without putting a hole in your budget.

Once you have finally decided to get the vet’s services, ask how often your pet should visit for check-ups.  It is advised to have your pet bird checked regularly in order to diminish incidence of sickness or accidents. A once a year vet appointment is beneficial.

It is also a big plus if the vet clinic has a warm and cozy set up. It would truly be a comfort to know that the pet clinic you visit has nice and friendly staff and you would be confident that your pet will receive the best care possible.

Another thing the vet can do is make a diet plan for your pet. This can help make your bird well nourished, healthy and be in good form. You may ask the vet for ways on how to provide emergency first aid when your pet is not well.  Building a healthy working relationship with your vet is an advantage so you can easily call the vet whenever emergencies happen.

Caring for your bird is a joint effort of both owner and the avian vet.  The vet wouldn’t know if the bird is ill if you, the owner, doesn’t know about it.  Having an avian vet is like having a partner in nurturing your well loved pet.