Often times birds hide their illnesses until it is too late, which makes routine physical examinations critical. By being able to identify and correct husbandry problems and find signs of early illness, we can help to prevent and treat problems earlier for your pet. All too often we see pet birds after they have been ill for weeks or months which makes treating and “fixing” them much more difficult. Earlier detection means a healthier and happier pet!
A comprehensive evaluation of your bird’s health from the beak all the way to the tips of their tail feathers.
By performing a detailed examination we will be looking for:
Evaluation of body conditioning to ensure that your bird is at a proper weight and review nutritional recommendations with you.
Behavioral questions or concerns will be discussed, and we can perform nail, beak, or wing trimming.
Routine fecal examinations are recommended to look for intestinal parasites or any changes in color or consistency of feces which may indicate a health problem.
Your bird’s enclosure should have plenty of space to move and exercise comfortably. As a general rule the cage should be large enough to allow your bird to fully extend wings and still have room to spare. When choosing a cage make sure that it is lead and zinc free as these metals are toxic to birds.
It is also important to provide your bird with perches of different sizes (diameter) and texture to help prevent bumblefoot, foot sores.
Food and water should be easily accessible and easy to clean and change on a daily basis. If using a water bottle with a spout rather than a water dish, check bottle daily to ensure that it has not become plugged.
Toys are an important part of your bird’s environment and are essential to help entertain and enrich. Toys should the correct size for your bird to ensure small pieces are not broken off and ingested.
Just like your dog or cat, your bird needs regular maintenance care to be happy and healthy.
Common maintenance care includes nail trimming, wing trimming, and beak trimmings. We can help you decide when these services are needed for your bird.
NutritionBelow are some recommendations for suitable bird diets.
Pelleted Diet: Pellets are preferred over seed diets for most birds (exception finches and canaries) as seed diets are high in fat and can lead to health problems and obesity. Pelleted diets are also balanced for your pet bird’s vitamin and mineral needs.
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables: Avoiding avocado, tomatoes, raisins, mushrooms, limited amount of grapes, and no seeds or pits -as these can be toxic to your bird
Nuts and Seeds: as treats or in moderation, these contain large amount of fats. Please chose non-salted or non-flavored options. Some of the larger birds will prefer in shell nuts as it helps to keep their beak healthy by crushing the shells.
Many exotic animals including birds often hide signs of illness to avoid being seen as vulnerable in the wild. This is why it is extremely important to closely monitor your bird for even small changes as these may be signs of an illness.
If you see any of the above signs or are concerned that your bird may be sick, please do not hesitate to call us for a physical exam and health evaluation.
A comprehensive evaluation of your chicken’s health from the beak all the way to the tips of their tail feathers.
By performing a detailed examination we will be looking for:
Evaluation of body conditioning to ensure that your chicken is at a proper weight.
Review nutritional lifestage recommendations.
Nail or spur trimming and wing trimming.
Routine fecal examinations are recommended to look for intestinal parasites, and to evaluate for any changes in color or consistency which may indicate a health problem.
What People
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"I am truly amazed at the care we received for Rambo and Rudy. Dr Barr is very caring and treated both our dogs like we would treat them." - Nancy K., Green Bay
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