All About Choosing A Qualified Avian Vet

Congratulations on your choosing a pet bird that could not only give you a sense of fulfillment, but would also satisfy the need for a companion! Now it is equally important to have a doctor to treat your pet bird during illness and in an emergency. 

You would be doing your pet bird a very beneficial thing by finding an avian vet and establishing a good relationship with him/her. Avian vets are qualified to treat birds whose anatomy is different from that of animals Choosing a qualified and experienced avian vet consists of a few important steps.

Finding an avian vet is more easily said than done; there are a few resources that could guide you to select the best avian vet. Local yellow pages are the first important resource where avian vets and those specializing in exotic medicines advertise their services with qualifications. The next resource is the Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV); they maintain a list of avian vets that are qualified to care for pet birds along with a handy vet locator that could help find one in the locality where you live. You may also like to get additional information by contacting your state's Veterinary Medical Association.

After locating an avian vet in your locality, it would be a good idea to go introduce yourself and your pet bird and also to ask the vet a few questions so as to know better about him.

Some important things you need to address during the first visit: 

The first important question to be asked is regarding the years of experience he/she has in treating birds; longer years of experience means your avian vet has a solid background in avian medicine and your pet bird is in good hands.

The next important question pertains to whether the avian vet is familiar with your bird’s specie, as different bird species react differently to various medical procedures and the vet has to be knowledgeable about what works for your bird.

Ensure your avian vet is a member of the AAV; this advocates the highest quality care for your pet bird.

Know if the avian vet has some pet birds at home; if yes then he/she is better equipped about the bird’s body language and could pick up subtle signs that may aid diagnosing problems.

Next question to be addressed is regarding after-hours or emergency care services that could help take care of emergencies. It is also necessary here to know if the avian vet makes home calls as some pets get very stressed in travel. Home calls are also useful to those that have a number of pet birds.

Veterinary expenses can be costly, so it would help to know the cost of an avian vet’s services; this helps to not only know about the expenses during routine check-ups but also in an emergency.

Next it would be best to address the frequency of check-ups to ensure the bird is in good health.

Lastly observe how the avian vet relates to the bird; having satisfied yourself in all these aspects you would make the right choice of a qualified avian vet.  

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