What to Expect at Your Bird's Wellness Visit
The treatments and services below are what you can expect when you bring your bird in for their routine wellness visit.
- New pet exam – Physical exam, fecal analysis, CBC, suggested disease screens
- 6 Month exam – Physical exam, fecal analysis
- Annual exam – Physical exam, fecal analysis, CBC/Blood Chemistry Panel
- Senior exam – Just like the annual exam, and we also recommend imaging (radiographs, ultrasound or CT) to screen for internal disease
Transporting Your Bird to Our Clinic
FOR YOUR BIRD’S SAFETY, PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS NO FOOD OR WATER IN THE CARRIER!
To safely and comfortably transport your bird, small plastic kennels (like for cats) and/or collapsible metal cages (with or without a perch) with a towel, newspaper or paper towels on the bottom work great. Individual carriers for each bird also makes caring for them easier. (acrylic cages are attractive but not ideal for transportation).
Remove any food and water from your bird’s cage before securing it, and place paper towels inside to absorb urine and, if needed, monitor fecal output.
Common Diseases & Conditions in Birds
Some of the more commonplace health conditions we see in birds of all kinds include:
- Malnutrition
- Obesity
- Hormonal issues
If you ever suspect your bird is unwell, call us right away at (843) 216-8387!
Signs of a Health Emergency in Birds
While some cases require urgent treatment, most after-hours concerns are best evaluated by our experienced team. Rather than going to an emergency clinic, the best thing for you and your pet is to come see our specialists at our next available appointment. If no appointments are available, we offer Emergency Admission Mon-Saturday beginning at 8am.
Signs Your Bird May Need Urgent Care
- Sitting at the bottom of the cage rather than perching
- Fluffed up or persistently ruffled feathers
- Weight loss
- Decreased appetite or not eating
- Closing/squinting of the eyes
- Discharge from the eyes, ears, mouth, and/or nose
- Difficulty breathing or tail bobbing
- Sleeping more than usual
- Loose droppings, blood in droppings, sudden stool changes
Signs Your Bird May Need Emergency Veterinary Care
- Straining to pass an egg for 12+ hours (if less, wait to see us)
- Major trauma or severe bleeding that cannot be stopped
- Unconsciousness
- Heavy or consistent open-mouth breathing
- Active seizures
Save on Essential Care with the Bird VetCare Package
Bringing home a new bird comes with a lot to learn, and we’re here to make getting started easier. Designed specifically for new bird owners, our Bird VetCare Package provides a convenient, affordable way to cover essential routine wellness and preventive care for a healthy new bird. With our Bird VetCare Package, you receive $842 worth of care for only $620.
Book your VetCare Package appointment below. Select the “Other Visit” option when booking and select your VetCare Package from the “Appointment Type” drop-down menu.
This VetCare Package is intended for essential care for new bird owners only and does not cover visits, diagnostics, or treatments related to illness or injury. Because our VetCare Packages are already discounted, they cannot be purchased with CareCredit, Cherry, or Scratchpay, and no coupons or other discounts can be applied.
Includes Everything Your Bird Needs to Give Them a Great Start in Life:
Comprehensive Health Checkup
The Bird VetCare Package includes a full physical examination by one of our vets. These checkups help us look for underlying issues that may not be outwardly noticeable to you.
Fecal Analysis
The Bird VetCare Package includes parasite screens, which we use to check for intestinal parasites, negative bacteria, and yeast overgrowth, which can put your bird’s health at risk.
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
The CBC uses a small drop of blood to screen your bird for issues such as infection, inflammation, and/or anemia.
Chlamydiosis, Polyoma Virus, Pacheco's Disease, and Pissttacine Beak and Feather Disease Screening
We will screen your bird for chlamydiosis (parrot fever), polyoma virus, herpes, and other contagious and serious diseases.
Chlamydiosis (Parrot fever): This disease causes severe illness in birds that can be passed on to humans.
Polyoma Virus: This virus causes severe systemic disease in birds. There is a vaccine available that can be given to young birds, but all birds should be screened.
Pacheco’s Disease (Herpes): Herpes attacks the liver in birds.
Psittacine Beak & Feather Disease Virus: This disease causes feather abnormalities and immune system suppression.
Nail Trim
We will trim your bird’s nails for their comfort and safety.
Package Add-Ons
Wing Trim: ($10 save $12). DNA Sexing: ($40 save $60) — Knowing your bird’s gender is very important. It can save valuable diagnostic time if your bird becomes ill, as reproductive complications are a major concern for females. Microchipping: ($30 save $20) — Microchip identification is a safe and highly effective means of identifying your pet. It enables lost pets to be reunited with their owners. You will register your pet’s microchip online. Blood Chemistry Panel: ($140 save $80) — Blood chemistries can reveal any issues related to tissue and internal organ dysfunction and help to detect diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, and other disorders.
Disclaimer: Our VetCare Packages are for healthy pets only. Because the VetCare Packages are already discounted, they cannot be purchased with CareCredit, Cherry, or Scratchpay, and no coupons or other discounts can be applied
Need to Board Your Bird While You’re Away?
Your pet is in the best hands at our exotic pet boarding facility, where our experienced staff caters to their individual needs and offers them all the comforts of home. Birds, reptiles, pocket pets, and other exotics require a lot of time and attention that most pet sitters and boarding facilities cannot provide.
Care Sheets and Handouts
Below are some useful resources to help you provide the best care for your bird:
Basic Care for Birds
Caring for Backyard Chickens
Caring for Ducks
Chlamydiosis and Psittacosis
Digital Scales
Feather Loss, Cause and Treatment
Feeding Birds