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Recommended Avian Vet in Central Illinois?

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Naiera

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The birdies and I will be living in central Illinois for most of the coming summer. I hope we will have no need for a vet while we are there, but you can't be too prepared!

I want to try and have a skilled, knowledgeable, and reliable vet available just in case something does happen. Does anyone have a recommendation from personal experience?

We will be in the Bloomington/Normal area if that helps at all. Within an hour of there would be ideal. I've seen some recommendations for AVs in the Chicago area and have made note of those, but am hoping to find something a bit closer if possible.

I found the list of certified AVs for the state, but personal experiences/recommendations would be helpful still :)!
 

Ziggymon

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Dr. Welle at the University of Illinois vet clinic in Champaign-Urbana. I live not quite an hour further away from him than you will be (I'm northwest of Bloomington Normal.) The only vet in Bloomington Normal with any bird experience that I've been able to locate is the one who treats the zoo animals, so I think his experience with birds is pretty limited.

Dr. Welle is very good and very highly regarded. There are other vets in the zoo med program at the U of I that can also step in if he's out of town. The vet clinic also has a 24 hour emergency department. That emergency department does not have an avian vet on staff, but there are avian vets on call if needed.

There's an emergency clinic in Bloomington Normal, but based on a couple of experiences there with dogs and cats, I would not take another animal there if I had a chance to get him/her to the U of I instead, and I would certainly never take a bird there.

The U of I vet clinic number is 217-333-5300. They have been very good about fitting me in immediately with emergencies. The emergency clinic is reached through the same number. A week ago last Sunday, when I called to let them know I was on the way with Ziggy, they called in a zoo med intern so that she was there when we arrived.

It'll take you less than an hour to get there from Bloomington Normal.
 

Macawnutz

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Not sure how far you wish to drive I use Dr. Sakas in Niles. Dr. Scott Mcdonald is also fantastic and travels. I have not heard of Dr. Welle but if Ziggymon recommends, I'd use him. :D
 

Naiera

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Nice! Thanks you two. I don't mind a drive up to Chicago if the issue doesn't need *immediate* attention, but it's nice to have somewhere close(r) in case the problem is time sensitive. I think Champaign would be a lot more accessible from where we will be staying.

And thanks for mentioning the emergency clinic immediately in the area too Ziggymon - do NOT think we will ever be going there. Especially with birds (and mine being so small and fragile!) I feel like an uncomfortable or inexperienced vet can almost make things worse sometimes :(
 

Birdasaurus

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I don't have personal experience with any of the vets, but U of I's vet school is highly regarded so I'd second Ziggymon's suggestion. If you don't need immediate attention and are looking for holistic, I'd recommend my vet Dr. Ness in Lisle. He'd be about 2 hours away though in the Chicago suburbs.
 

Ziggymon

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I believe that Milo also uses Dr. Welle, and thinks very highly of him. He's the only board certified avian vet in Illinois. Exotic/Zoological Animal Services | University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital I've also seen Mark Mitchell in Dr. Welle's absence.

I'm constantly running into people who have travelled from Chicago with their pets to see various specialists at the clinic. The clinic also has certain imaging and diagnostic equipment that is not available elsewhere in Illinois, which is another reason people travel from Chicago. (And yeah, between Gracie and Ziggy, I practically lived there last year. :o: )

Alyssa, I agree about the harm that an unknowledgeable vet can do, which is why I mentioned my opinion of the emergency clinic.

From Bloomington-Normal, it's easy to get to the U of I vet clinic. You would take 74 east to Champaign-Urbana. The Lincoln Street exit is the third exit once you reach Champaign-Urbana. You would take a right on Lincoln and take Lincoln to West Hazelwood Drive, where you take a right. The small animal clinic is on the right hand side, the first driveway off of West Hazelwood. The entrance for the 24 hour emergency clinic is the same as for the regular small animal clinic.
 

Milo

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I second the recommendation for Dr. Welle. He's who sees my two, and he saw Milo through his Asper treatments. I fully trust him to care for my fids!

I wanted to add that as far as I know, Dr. Welle is still the only board certified AV in Illinois. I can't express how much I love having him as our avian vet. He will completely and fully explain all procedures and will take the time to make sure that you understand the diagnosis and treatment treatment, as well as the risks with either. He didn't downplay the risks with Milo due to his tiny size, and helped me to feel completely confident in the treatment decisions.
 
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Naiera

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He didn't downplay the risks with Milo due to his tiny size, and helped me to feel completely confident in the treatment decisions.


Really glad to hear that since my three are small too :)

Thanks so much for sharing your experiences. I'm so glad that we will have such great vet care available while we are there if we need it. Puts my mind at ease a bit!
 

Milo

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It's the great vet care here that makes me dread the day that the hubby and I have to move! Dr. Welle leaves some big shoes to fill in terms of quality of care and sheer awesomeness. I can't imagine trusting anyone else with Milo's healthcare. Bartleby hasn't been in to see him yet (he got his exam at my work, she will only do wellness exams for birds, any big issues and they are referred to Dr. Welle), but I imagine it will be very much the same way. If he came down with something (perish the thought), I wouldn't think twice about bringing him in.
 

65sunnyday

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Oh, we should all be so lucky to get such great referrals to such well thought of AVs. And driving directions!:rolleyes::D
 
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