Do you take your bird to the vet?

[M&M Ninja]

I hope we can all keep this civil...

I don't take my dogs to the vet more than necessary. Vets and doctors are great for acute injury and responses to certain diseases. However, I have found lifestyle to be the number one determinant of health and well-being. Tending to lifestyle has made it so my dogs never had/have issues, and neither has my parrot.

As I think about adopting a second bird and getting it disease tested, I decided maybe it was time to get some baseline info on my current parrot. I'd love to see her bloodwork and maybe even confirm her sex. BUT...after calling the three places within an hour of me, it became immediately clear that an exotic appointment with these clinics is primarily about grooming (and probably habituating a bird to being handled in a clinical setting <- I agree that this is important).

It turns out the nearest avian vet is 4 hours away, assuming zero traffic. Honestly, that isn't a trip I'd make outside of an emergency.

When I asked the local vets about disease testing, they didn't have prices handy and said they only order if the bird is symptomatic. Every office had to put me on an extended hold for consultation with various techs. Seeing a bird in my area must not be common.

So I ask - Why would I take my bird to a normal vet? And then the question on this post - Do you take your bird to the vet? How often?

 

[Zilga]

I get being skeptical about non-avian vets. We are lucky enough to have an avian vet close by and we take the birds in for yearly checkups and as-needed for any issues that crop up. Mostly they do great, but we do have one bird (a Bourke's parakeet) that does not seem to tolerate the vet well and was very stressed by her last visit. Since the visit was recent, it won't come up again for a while unless we have a problem, so we may adjust her schedule depending on what the vet thinks. The other Bourkes were okay.

 

[Mizzely]

Everyone goes when they first come home. I then usually do every 2-3 years for checkups for all my animals. Dog is the only exception since he has to go yearly for Rx renewals.

 

[Respect]

Going to the vet for a yearly wellness exam is good idea because then the vets can get a baseline to compare to when things go wrong, and make sure no issues or medical conditions develop unnoticed. Negative disease tests and health records are also good to have in case you ever need to board somewhere, as many boarding facilities require certain tests and/or a certificate of health.

Ideally, I’ll be taking my green cheek to the vet once a year for a wellness exam and for additional visits as necessary. The person whom I’m dependent on for transportation unfortunately has a long history of making excuses and delaying vet appointments until things go seriously wrong; but I am hopeful that we will be able to cooperate as she seems to care for Buddy much more than other pets we’ve had in the past.

 

[M&M Ninja]

Going to the vet for a yearly wellness exam is good idea because then the vets can get a baseline to compare to when things go wrong, and make sure no issues or medical conditions develop unnoticed. Negative disease tests and health records are also good to have in case you ever need to board somewhere, as many boarding facilities require certain tests and/or a certificate of health.

Ideally, I’ll be taking my green cheek to the vet once a year for a wellness exam and for additional visits as necessary. The person whom I’m dependent on for transportation unfortunately has a long history of making excuses and delaying vet appointments until things go seriously wrong; but I am hopeful that we will be able to cooperate as she seems to care for Buddy much more than other pets we’ve had in the past.

Do you go to an avian vet?

 

[Dona]

Because I can't clip Gigi's nails myself she goes to the avian vet for a trim 3-4 times a year. In order to have your bird groomed they must be up to date with yearly exams. So Gigi has gone for a physical every year. The vet checks her out and tests her poop. I've never had bloodwork and she has never been sexed. If I didn't need the clip I would probably go every few years or if she seems sick. Luckily our avian vet is 15 minutes away and Gigi is a trooper. She might be a little quiet for an hour after returning but then she's back to her normal sassy self.

 

[T. gillii]

So. I have ten birds. For now. Nail and beak trimming is not needed for most, and I can even do nail trimming at home. Local stores offer services as well. I have a great vet that I trust, but there is no good reason to take my healthy, disease tested animals in for a check-up right now. Preventative care really is not the same for birds as it is for cats and dogs (who get heartworm/flea meds, vaccinations, etc). If you know the signs of illness and are caring for your bird, I don't see a good reason to do check-ups (unless just purchased or if they have a pre-existing condition).

 

[Respect]

Do you go to an avian vet?

I have seen a “vet who sees birds” in the past once, but have an appointment scheduled with an avian specialist in a couple of weeks who will likely become our primary vet for Buddy. Luckily she’s only 45 minutes away, and my boy has no issue with travel.

I thought I read somewhere that once a year is usually good, but based on others’ responses it looks like I was wrong! I think I mixed birds up with cats

I agree with others that once every few years sounds good as long as everyone’s healthy.

 

[T. gillii]

I have seen a “vet who sees birds” in the past once, but have an appointment scheduled with an avian specialist in a couple of weeks who will likely become our primary vet for Buddy. Luckily she’s only 45 minutes away, and my boy has no issue with travel.

I thought I read somewhere that once a year is usually good, but based on others’ responses it looks like I was wrong! I think I mixed birds up with cats

I agree with others that once every few years sounds good as long as everyone’s healthy.

I recommend yearly for new owners who may not know what to look for, but I use my own discretion haha

 

[conurehrdr]

Hrrrrm... generally, I do see a vet when the birds need to go, but I don't bring them yearly unless it's a problem that needs to be seen regularly.

 

[T. gillii]

Hrrrrm... generally, I do see a vet when the birds need to go, but I don't bring them yearly unless it's a problem that needs to be seen regularly.

Yeah. I personally have been to the vet ... too many times to count this year. But that is because I have two special needs birds that need regular medication, check ups, and monitoring. I also had two emergency visits with two of my other birds due to injuries. The more birds you have, the more likely you are to end up going to the vet (just numbers wise)! But I would not hesitate to seek vet care if I had any health concerns for any of my other birds, which is why Gizmo was seen by the vet the day after he started feeling sick. BUT I think it is a good idea to find a vet you trust.

 

[AussieBird]

To my knowledge the nearest Avian vet to me is a 3hr drive, one way, and I don't drive.
But I do have a wonderful vet clinic that sees all animals. Small animals, large animals, "exotics" i.e. guinea pigs, rabbits, ferrets etc and wildlife. They do not have the equipment or skills to treat complex problems in exotics and avians and tend to refer where possible, but this is where I take my birds when they need it. I mostly own very small birds (budgies) so I don't see point in stressing them out with regular appointments that won't be able to provide much (I can't even say if I'd ever trust a vet to do bloodwork on a budgie). I have and do take them if there's something that requires attention. Blocked preen gland, heart failure and a likely tumor are a few of the reasons I've gone had over the last couple years.
My galah has only "been" once, back when I first got him about 3 yrs ago, that was only really a brief physical exam.

 

[thedogtor]

From the flip side - having a yearly exam keeps you an established client. Established clients are more likely to be squeezed in during times of need.

At least in my area, there is on average a 2-6 week wait to get a new pet into most vet practices and quite a few that aren’t accepting new patients. Those that don’t have a primary vet established end up at the ER unless they are lucky enough to find someone to squeeze them in. In my area we have 2 board certified avian vets and handful of general practice veterinarians that are competent with exotics, but the exotic emergencies can sometimes still need to drive hours to be seen. The value of taking your pets to the vet once a year is not only for preventative wellness and establishing a baseline/monitoring trends, but also so that WHEN you need to have them seen urgently, you have a relationship and are more likely to be able to be seen rather than turfed to the ER.

 

[T. gillii]

From the flip side - having a yearly exam keeps you an established client. Established clients are more likely to be squeezed in during times of need.

This is pretty important! Luckily, having multiple birds (and birds with a chronic condition) I am familiar with my vet (in fact, that is how Frankie came home). But I think with a large flock of disease tested and generally healthy (not geriatric, no chronic issues) that you can maintain a good relationship without taking each individual in for a check up yearly. If you can do it and your birds are not overly stressed, there isn't much downside.

For non avian vets... Check up wise... For an experienced owner, there is likely nothing this vet will tell you about your bird that you wouldn't catch on your own. Heck, a lot of the time they miss obvious signs of illness in birds showing symptoms. Unless you are spending money on bloodwork, there is not a lot to learn from a general check up most of the time. For new owners or owners with one bird (especially a first bird) a check up when the bird first comes home is a good idea to get familiar with your vet and have the bird checked for anything you may miss. Yearly exams can be decided as you gain confidence and understanding with your individual bird. But knowing your vet personally can save your bird's life.

Gizmo went to his first vet appointment in January at 6 months old. The vet (non avian, but "sees" birds. clinic has an avian vet but I did not know to ask for him). Though she was fairly knowledgeable, if I listened to the advice she gave and treatment options, Gizmo would not be alive today.

And I say all of this as someone who wants to join the field of veterinary medicine. Know your vets, but more importantly, know your bird!

 

[M&M Ninja]

If you know the signs of illness and are caring for your bird, I don't see a good reason to do check-ups (unless just purchased or if they have a pre-existing condition).

This is how I feel as well. Dogs really don't need to go in yearly either. The studies I've read show that immunity from the puppy vaccines last for (at least) 8 years. The study ended at that point, so it's quite likely it extends beyond that. One of our prior vets told me that if they didn't request/require annual vaccines, they'd never see their patients.

With uninformed or lazy owners, I imagine it is important to see them regularly. You catch their weight getting out of control. You notice odd behaviors which might be associated with pain. Etc.

From the flip side - having a yearly exam keeps you an established client. Established clients are more likely to be squeezed in during times of need.

This is totally true. Fortunately, my dog vet 'sees' birds, so I know I'd get in there if needed. Also, one of the other vets I called immediately offered an afternoon slot when I asked if they saw birds. It sounds like they're used to getting bird calls only when it's a desperate situation; and it also sounds like they can get people in pretty quickly.

For an experienced owner, there is likely nothing this vet will tell you about your bird that you wouldn't catch on your own.

Unfortunately, this is probably true much of the time. When I asked my dog vet (who does see birds) a bird question, I received an additional two pieces of unsolicited advice, one of which was - Don't give your birds mirrors.

I don't know anything about mirrors and have never given them to my bird, but it gave me the feeling that birds were not really in his wheelhouse.

 

[Rebel]

From the flip side - having a yearly exam keeps you an established client. Established clients are more likely to be squeezed in during times of need.

This is a fact.

 

[Shannan]

While I agree that they probably don’t need to go yearly our vet (which is insanely close). The relationship is important. Every time I have been in there I have heard the receptionist tell a caller that they can’t see them for two weeks and then try to refer them to other vets. It breaks my heart but I understand. My gray didn’t go to the vet until his 20s. The conure goes twice a year.

 

[Tyrion]

Being a retired vet tech I feel that alot of animals are over vaccinated so my furries go every 4 yrs to get vaccinated ..my birds go even less ...they all went for a first visit when I got them but not much after ..I trim nails at home which is stressful for my birds so to stuff them in a carrier and take them for a 3 hr round trip to the vet just doenst seem good for them ...I also worry about what is at the vet disease wise that my birds can catch ...I feel that a good whole food diet and watching them closely for any issues I dont have to take them to the vet often... having a good vet connection is wonderful but I feel that yrly exams and blood work for a bird that is not ill only invites stress and than maybe illness from that stress ...

 

[Rebel]

.I also worry about what is at the vet disease wise that my birds can catch

I always bring my own dish towel with me for the vet to use to grab my birds if need be. I dont want them using their filthy rags that they use on other birds.

 

[Tyrion]

I always bring my own dish towel with me for the vet to use to grab my birds if need be. I dont want them using their filthy rags that they use on other birds.

Yes I do the same ..I bring towels and blankets for the vet to use but one time they didnt use them and use their own and I was abit upset that they used their own and we got into it about cross contamination and I was assured that this would not happen but I havent been back since they did that ...I am so freaked about cross contamination with all my animals that I only go to the vets now if there is something wrong