An avian veterinarian is a veterinarian who specializes in the healthcare and treatment of birds. Avian veterinarians have advanced training and knowledge in avian medicine and provide medical care to pet birds, zoo birds, wild birds, and poultry.
What kind of education and training does an avian veterinarian have?
To become an avian veterinarian, a person must first complete a 4-year bachelor’s degree, usually in biology, zoology, or a pre-veterinary track. After earning a bachelor’s degree, they must complete a 4-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or VMD degree at an accredited veterinary college. During veterinary school, they can take elective courses and training in avian medicine and externships with avian veterinarians.
After earning a DVM degree, an avian veterinarian completes a 1-3 year internship focused on avian medicine and surgery. They must then pass the AVBP board certification examination to become a board-certified avian veterinarian. Ongoing education and training are also required to maintain certification.
What types of birds do avian veterinarians treat?
Avian veterinarians can treat all types of birds, including:
- Pet birds – Parrots, parakeets, cockatiels, canaries, finches
- Zoo birds – Penguins, flamingos, ostriches, eagles
- Poultry – Chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese
- Wild birds – Hawks, owls, pigeons, sparrows, robins
While some veterinarians may treat an occasional bird, avian veterinarians have specialized knowledge and experience caring for avian species. Seeing an avian vet ensures your bird receives expert care.
What services do avian veterinarians provide?
Avian veterinarians provide complete medical services for birds, including:
- Wellness exams and preventative care
- Diagnosing and treating illnesses
- Performing lab tests and diagnostics
- Surgeries and other medical procedures
- Emergency and critical care
- Management of chronic conditions
- Nutrition and diet advice
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Behavioral counseling
- Consulting and advising owners on pet bird care
Many avian vets have special skills and experience with certain types of birds based on their training and career focus.
Why are avian vets important for bird health?
There are several key reasons why birds need specialized avian veterinary care:
- Unique anatomy and physiology – Birds have a very different anatomy and physiology compared to dogs, cats, and other mammals that requires specific medical knowledge.
- Specialized medicine and handling – The administration of anesthesia, surgery, lab testing, and medications requires the specialized training of an avian vet.
- Preventative care – Birds are very good at hiding illness. Avian vets provide wellbird exams, detect issues early, and advise owners on proper husbandry.
- Fragile and sensitive – Birds are very fragile. Avian vets have the experience and expertise to handle bird patients safely and reduce stress.
- Uncommon pets – Since birds are less common as pets, many general vets have limited clinical experience with birds compared to dogs/cats.
Consulting an avian vet helps ensure pet birds, aviary birds, and wild birds receive appropriate medical treatment for their health and wellbeing.
What are some common conditions avian vets treat?
There are many medical conditions that can affect bird health. Common issues that avian veterinarians diagnose and treat include:
Condition | Description |
---|---|
Infections | Bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infections |
Respiratory diseases | Aspergillosis, pneumonia, air sac infections |
Feather picking | Damaging feathers due to behavior or medical issues |
Gastrointestinal issues | Sour crop, proventricular dilation, megabacteria |
Egg binding | Difficulty passing eggs in female birds |
Nutritional deficiencies | Hypovitaminosis A, calcium deficiency |
Trauma | Broken wings or legs, bite wounds |
Toxins | Lead, zinc, Teflon poisoning |
Tumors | Lipomas, adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma |
Avian vets have the advanced training needed to properly diagnose and treat these and many other bird diseases. They help manage both acute issues and long-term chronic conditions in birds.
When should you take a bird to see an avian veterinarian?
Here are some common situations when birds need to be seen by an avian vet:
- Yearly wellness exams and preventative care
- Any signs of illness – decreased activity, fluffed feathers, change in droppings
- Injuries – bleeding, limping, inability to fly
- Exposure to toxins or poisons
- Egg binding or breeding issues
- Behavior changes – increased aggression, screaming, lack of vocalization
- Recommended health screenings based on age and species
- Follow up exams to monitor chronic diseases
- Nutrition and diet issues – obesity, weight loss, change in appetite
New birds should see an avian vet right away for an initial health check. Waiting to seek veterinary care when a bird is ill can greatly impact treatment success and outcome. Your avian vet can advise you on warning signs that require prompt medical attention.
How can you find a qualified avian veterinarian?
Here are some tips for locating an experienced avian vet:
- Ask bird-owning friends or local bird clubs/breeders for recommendations.
- Search the Association of Avian Veterinarians directory to find certified avian vets.
- Look for an avian vet who is ABVP board-certified in avian practice.
- Contact local veterinary clinics – some have avian vets on staff or provide referrals.
- Call zoos with bird exhibits – their vets often treat private birds too.
- Search online directories like Veterinarians.com.
Schedule an initial consultation to make sure the vet has substantial experience and knowledge treating your particular bird species.
Conclusion
Avian veterinarians are specially trained to provide medical care for all types of bird species. Their advanced knowledge of avian medicine and ability to safely handle bird patients makes them critical for maintaining the health of pet birds, aviary collections, zoo birds, and wild bird rehabilitation. Birds have unique medical needs that general veterinarians may not be able to fully address. Consulting an certified avian vet ensures your feathered friends get high quality care for long and healthy lives.