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Finding an Avian Veterinarian for Your Pet Bird

The number of veterinarians experienced in avian medicine is growing by leaps and bounds, as are advances in the field itself.  Today, most folks keeping parrots, finches, budgies, canaries, cockatiels, quails and even such exotics as turacos and toucans are within reach of competent medical advice.

Dr. Kevin Wright (Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital)

Those living within driving distance of Mesa, Arizona, are in the enviable position of having access to the foremost exotic animal veterinarian of our time, Dr. Kevin Wright (phone consultations are also available).  Co-founder of the Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital, Dr. Wright’s work with birds spans several decades in both the zoo world and private practice.

Many informative care sheets, addressing medical concerns and general husbandry, are posted on the hospital’s website.  Those of you with wide interests will find information on animals ranging from tarantulas to sugar gliders.

Association of Avian Veterinarians

The AAV lists practitioners by country and, within the USA, by state.  The website is also a great source of information on the organization’s many worthwhile activities.

Bird Clubs, Societies and other Organizations

Bird interest groups are great resources for those seeking a veterinarian, as they usually maintain a list of reputable practitioners.  Local veterinarians may even be members, or speak at monthly meetings.

Pet Station posts lists of bird clubs and similar organizations in the USA, Puerto Rico, Canada and the UK.

Other Resources

You can also inquire about avian veterinarians at your local zoo or nature center – try calling the Department of Ornithology or the Volunteer/Docent Office if dealing with a zoo.

Veterinarians who limit their practice to dogs and cats can often direct you to avian-experienced colleagues.

Further Reading

An informative article on choosing an avian veterinarian is posted here.

 

 

About Frank Indiviglio

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I believe that I was born with an intense interest in animals, as neither I nor any of my family can recall a time when I was not fascinated by creatures large and small. One might imagine this to be an unfortunate set of circumstances for a person born and raised in the Bronx, but, in actuality, quite the opposite was true. Most importantly, my family encouraged both my interest and the extensive menagerie that sprung from it. My mother and grandmother somehow found ways to cope with the skunks, flying squirrels, octopus, caimans and countless other odd creatures that routinely arrived un-announced at our front door. Assisting in hand-feeding hatchling praying mantises and in eradicating hoards of mosquitoes (I once thought I had discovered “fresh-water brine shrimp” and stocked my tanks with thousands of mosquito larvae!) became second nature to them. My mother went on to become a serious naturalist, and has helped thousands learn about wildlife in her 16 years as a volunteer at the Bronx Zoo. My grandfather actively conspired in my zoo-buildings efforts, regularly appearing with chipmunks, boa constrictors, turtles rescued from the Fulton Fish Market and, especially, unusual marine creatures. It was his passion for seahorses that led me to write a book about them years later. Thank you very much, for a complete biography of my experience click here.
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