Pets Information

Vet Check - Well-Bird Check Up


I know there are differing opinions on the subject of well-bird check ups. Some people believe in having your apparently healthy parrot checked out once a year by a qualified avian vet, while others claim that taking a health bird into a vet office exposes them to "germies" they might not otherwise be exposed to. I am not going to lecture you on either. That is your choice. I am lucky enough to have a mobile avian vet that visits my house and I do have my parrots checked out once a year. But, you do what you think is right.

If you do take your bird in for a well bird check-up, here are some things that should be included:

Visual check: Looking at the ears, eyes, nose, mouth, etc. and making sure things appear as they should.

The touchy feely test: Feeling the bird to see if there are any lumps or other abnormalities the vet can feel.

Weight: Weight should be taken, in grams, every time.

Grooming: Wing and Nail trims, if needed.

Gram stain: The poop test - to make sure there are no bad things in the poopie.

Blood Work: Maybe. Possibly a chlamydia blood test and a complete blood panel. You don't have to have these done every time. Ask your vet their opinion. Sometimes the vet may recommend more specific tests. And, just for the record, the bird does not have to be given anesthesia or "put under" to take a simple blood sample.

Ask Questions: Be sure to discuss any changes in behavior, health or diet related issues.

If your bird is not acting right, is tired a lot, lethargic, isn't eating like normal, has a nasal or eye discharge, or just sits there all "poofed" out, you need to get to an avian vet as fast as you can. I mean today - not tomorrow. Better to be safe than sorry. So, repeat after me, "If my bird looks or acts sick, I will RUN not walk to my avian veterinarian." Birds generally do not look or act sick until they are REALLY sick. They can take a turn for the worst very quickly.

Finding a vet
If you do not already have an avian vet, look in your local phone directory. Give them a call and see how many birds they treat. I know of several that advertise that they treat birds but only see a few per year.

You can also use these site to find an avian vet in your area.

The Association of Avian Veterinarians - Searchable http://www.aav.org/vet-lookup/

The Association of Avian Veterinarians - more complete listing http://www.aav.org/activemembers.html

or

The directory at Birds n Ways American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, Certified in Avian Practice: http://www.birdsnways.com/articles/abvpvets.htm

Your Parrot Place
Taylor Knight is President of Your Parrot Place, providers of the highest quality parrot food, toys, cages and supplies available. YourParrotPlace.com - Only the Best for Your Parrot!

Free Parrot eBook
140 pages of parrot tips, information, nutrition advice, safety and more! http://www.yourparrotplace.com/ebooks/ypp2004ebook.htm


MORE RESOURCES:

Malaysia Star

Pets as teachers
Malaysia Star, Malaysia - 35 minutes ago
But the lecturers at Sunway University College’s School of Health and Natural Sciences do — from the pets that accompany them to work. ...
Animals to the rescue Malaysia Star
all 2 news articles


Human food bank gets $9000 of dog food for pets
Houston Chronicle, United States - 11 hours ago
2008 AP FORT WORTH, Texas — A business owner celebrated opening day of her Texas dog food store by helping donate $9000 worth of items for a pet food bank. ...


Picture-perfect presidential pets
San Jose Mercury News,  USA - 4 hours ago
There have been First Pets as long as there have been presidents in the White House, and I have no doubt the Clintons and the Bushes are genuine pet lovers. ...


Ottawa Citizen

Pets on a bus harmful to health
Ottawa Citizen,  Canada - 16 hours ago
People with allergies will suffer if pets can go on buses, writes Rita Martinez. I have a severe allergy to dogs -- I can't be in the same room as a dog or ...


Pet subjects
Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom - 1 hour ago
Do they make good pets? Do cats and tortoises mix? Is it true that cats like to flip them over? PL, Chichester Tortoises can make excellent pets but it is ...


'Pets Need Suncream Too'
Sky News, UK - 17 hours ago
We are used to warnings about protecting our children from the sun, but now animal lovers are being told to protect their pets too. Animal charity The Blue ...


Seattle Post Intelligencer

Moving Family and Pets into a New Home
Seattle Post Intelligencer - 10 hours ago
Recently, Mark and I moved from the city to the countryside. We love our new-to-us home, the hillside covered with mature trees, which our backyard ...


Heat Warning For Pets
KSBI 52, OK - 4 hours ago
Oklahoma City Animal Welfare workers are warning pet owners to give their animals plenty of water and access to constant shade. ...
Keep animals cool during hot weather OKC Business
all 3 news articles


Ailing pets being left at shelter
Daily Mail - Charleston, WV - 5 hours ago
Not only are donations down, but officials at the no-kill shelter in Cabell County say they think pets are suffering as more families struggle financially. ...


Pets a highlight for Fairfield's 1st Fridays Art Walk Aug. 1
Ottumwa Courier, IA - 9 hours ago
The Bark in the Park festivities includes a pet parade, pet costume competition, pet photos, pet blessings, pet communicator –psychic, and a visit from the ...

Pets - Google News

home | site map
© 2006