Avian vets seem worthless...

[cindy]

Dogs are generally seen once a year for well visits/boosters. Does your mother's dogs have an underlying conditon? To me if the dogs have nothing wrong it is uncalled for to have them seen monthly unless ill.

[Zebrafincher]

Avian Vets are generally fairly important if you have finches or canaries. I've had people tell me that finches or canaries are tough birds but I've always needed to take birds to the vet. Try and find a genuine vet. Having said that, I always get my birds initially tested for everything when I get them (via the vet) and also quarantine them for at least a week. I only have 4 birds, so I can appreciate if you have an aviary of them it gets expensive. Re: moving sick birds, I've always been able to safely move sick finches or canaries, usually by travelling slower and keeping them covered up and warm.

[Lisa]

Sadly enough, I think many vets consider the little birds to be in the same category as fish... expendable. I have even seen and heard of many bird owners that tend to think the same way.

I think if you have a large bird, such as a parrot or macaw or something, then it's definitely worth it to take them in. Honestly, when something goes wrong with one of my birds, I feel like the folks here are about as knowledgeable as they come and trust the advice based on the vast experience many have had with birdkeeping. For example, I value Sally, Martie's or Candoaviary's word on bird illnesses/problems pretty implicitly.

[cindy]

I sat in my avian vet's office, not only were there large birds but small birds waiting to see her. My vet spent time both on the phone and in the visit. I can honestly say she is one in a million.

I had an emergency once, my avian vet was out of town so I called another avian vet nearby. He took the call personally and talked me through what to do. He even called back a few hours later to check on things.

There are good ones out there that honestly do care even for the smallest of birds.

[Zebrafincher]

The Vet I go to see specialises between 50% cats/dogs, and 50% birds. One time I was there they had 2 canaries, 2 budgerigars, 1 cockatoo (cages), a chook (in a basket), a duck (held freely), my finch and a dog. Real menagerie!

[Lorddaxter]

I've not managed to find one I like:(

I did see one but man she was useless, I was not impressed and like others said it's just a guessing game, tests show nothing, $200 later your birds dead anyway:(

Luckily I found a breeder since with a ton of knowledge, any problems I call her & have taken my birds to see her, she's awesome & carries supplies the vets have anyway:)

[30 Seconds to Bob]

I believe a lot of the disdain and avoidance toward avian vets has to do with the cost of the vet visit and treatment compared to size and value of the bird. It should NOT cost more for a vet to examine my canary, than it did to spay and neuter both of my dogs. The dogs required anesthesia, surgery, post-op care and antibiotics. They are still with me four and ten years later - the two canaries and one love bird didn't last a week.
Who wouldn't bring their sick bird to a vet if they only charged say 15 or 20.00 for the visit and 10 for the medicine? Half the time all they do is a quick look over and a fecal float that can be done by anyone with a microscope and a book on parasites. A vet shouldn't take advantage of poor people wanting their 10.00 finches looked at to pay off their medical college bills. Let them come back to reality and I will have a lot more respect for them. Bob

[cindy]

When ever I took a bird into my avian vet, especially a hookbill...bloodwork, droppings were tested, an total exam, if needed an xray or ultrasound was done and medication was prescribed. Follow up phone calls by the vet were made to me, time well spent. My first visit with my avian vet was a long visit and once bloodwork and results came in she spent about 30 minutes on the phone with my going over care and discussing what needs to be done, answering any questions I had. Each time I came in it was not rushed and if my larger bird had to stay over night or require surgery I could call to check on it and discuss my concerns.

The larger birds do stand more of a chance of surviving an illness or having their lives extended for a bit longer than a small finch or canary which can hide an illness. The smaller birds may be hard to turn around once you discover it is ill or by the time you discover you need a vet and home treatments did not work.

You pay for the visit, the vets time, any tests to be done. I guess it depends on the circumstances. My experiences have been good.

[Meagan83]

I believe a lot of the disdain and avoidance toward avian vets has to do with the cost of the vet visit and treatment compared to size and value of the bird. It should NOT cost more for a vet to examine my canary, than it did to spay and neuter both of my dogs. The dogs required anesthesia, surgery, post-op care and antibiotics. They are still with me four and ten years later - the two canaries and one love bird didn't last a week.
Who wouldn't bring their sick bird to a vet if they only charged say 15 or 20.00 for the visit and 10 for the medicine? Half the time all they do is a quick look over and a fecal float that can be done by anyone with a microscope and a book on parasites. A vet shouldn't take advantage of poor people wanting their 10.00 finches looked at to pay off their medical college bills. Let them come back to reality and I will have a lot more respect for them. Bob

Soooo true.

[cindy]

As I stated before you are paying for their time...like going to the doctor's for your child. You are seeking their knowledge and help.

Some of us have had good experiences others not...personally what years my avian vet gave me with our grey that I may not have had otherwise was well worth it. I know others that swear by her as well. Perhaps you have not found a good one in your area yet.

[Zebrafincher]

Vets are genuine. I had my little star finch operated on to remove a very infected/bloody preening gland, and he only weighs 9.1grams - one of the smallest ever! He pulled through well, and is doing well, at home. Keep looking until you find someone. Maybe go by personal recommendation

[Nerien]

We took our first recently acquired parakeets to a local vet who was one of only two within an hour's drive who did "exotics" {like parakeets) because one had developed a wet bottom. With my two kids, ages 8 and 12 in tow, right in front of them, the guy said, "so what does one of these cost, $20? Is it really worth spending money on it?" He did give us medicine, a little bottle with literally 1 ml of medicine and a tiny syringe, for which he charged us $28, plus $60 for the visit. Plus other random charges.

Never went back to him. Jerk. Right in front of the kids he said their birds' life wasn't worth anything.

Switched to the other one in the area, very nice, friendly place. Switched all our pets to them, as they were so nice, and expressed understanding at reasonable charges vs beloved pets. Which, it turned out, only lasted the first few months. Then up and up the billing went. Last time we went there was when the dog woke up with a limp and a swollen foot, freshly raw pad scrape. Dropped him off on hubby's way to work. Vet calls a while later, tells me dog is limping on OTHER foot, which has an old scratch on the pad. Says she has poked & prodded all up and down both front legs without response from dog, can't see/find anything wrong, and proposes OVER $700 of tests and x-rays to see if she can find something wrong with THE WRONG LEG THAT ISN'T SHOWING ANY SIGNS OF ANY PAIN OR ANYTHING WRONG.

That last time we went with any of the animals was the last time because that was it. $700 of tests because she can't find anything wrong, including no pain and can't tell right from left? No thank you. Dog and cats now go to little old local guy working out of an old house, we just pray birds & other "exotics" stay healthy.

[cindy]

Shame that a few give them all a bad name in many peoples' eye. Trust me I to have been there with cold remarks made about a pet such as your dog had a seizure, you need to put him down...said before any hands on exam was done. They all are not like that.Some are kind and gentle and all pets are valuable. Some even come to your home during their own office hours.

The one my daughter works with is the best, she spends hours with you. While my dog went through chemo to shrink a tumor that went badly diagnoses by other vets she provided a cell number in case there were complications.

She bought the dog about 4 more years we would not have had with him. He passed at 11, others told us he needed to be put down at 3. We kept looking for answers, when we moved here and found her she listened closely to all his complications and told me he has crushings and she could bet on it....something none of the others tested him for. She ran a blood test, xrayed his liver and it was what he had. Chemo pills were started to shrink the tumor and he almost died during the treatment but she was right there....open door policy on his care. He beat the tumor for 3 years but it returned and was incorrectable at that point, she was right with us as we said goodbye. she will even go to the persons home to help assist in ending a pets suffering in the animals/owners surroundings.

We just went through a tough time with one of our Cavaliers recently. She has AHIA, our vet pulled her through it and she is great now. She has been spot on in her findings were as others in the past missed the diagnosis completely.

She even helped us with a hamster, no charge. I wish I could duplicate her for you. Sorry you had that issue in front of your children, to them that bird is priceless.

Yes vet prices are costly but if needed it helps to have a kind vet to work with.

[debbie276]

I don't think the problem is with vets and dogs, but with vets and small birds.

[cindy]

I understand that...I have taken small birds to my avian vet and have not had issue with care or cost. I think it is finding one that is fair, good. Even with the larger animals I have had issue with some on the past, to quick to judge the animal without really looking at all the facts.

I have also had friendships with some that are willing to even help in rescue situations or wildlife injuries. It is like with any service you pay for, you must be happy with it.