Services - Avian (Bird) Care

Care-Pets Goes to the Birds!

CARE-PETS is expanding our services to include birds. Dr. Sam Vaughn, an avian (bird) specialist from Veterinary Associates Stonefield in Louisville, is teaching Dr. Evinger the fine (and fun) points of treating birds. Dr. Vaughn is a Diplomate of the American Board of Practitioners (Avian). (See Dr. Vaughn’s entire list of credentials at www.vetcity.com.)

The “patient” in the pictures is Dr. Evinger’s Patagonian Conure, “Aurora. “ Appearing with her in the left-hand picture is (from left to right) Todd Taylor (Veterinary Technical Assistant), Dr. Joan Evinger, Dr. Sam Vaughn.

Aurora had been having delusions of being an eagle. After a session with Dr. Vaughn, she decided that being a Conure was just fine so she waved bye-bye to all delusions of “eagledom.”

Birds are experts at hiding illness. By the time you recognize that they are sick, it is often too late to help. A change in droppings, sitting fluffed up for extended periods of time, and appetite changes are just a few of the subtle signs a bird will exhibit when ill. Then consider that birds are more sensitive to environmental elements than are most of our pets and you have potential problems waiting to happen. Heavy metals are a large source of toxicity in birds and there are multiple sources of zinc, lead, and copper in the environment … often the bird’s own toys or cage. That is why it is imperative for birds to have annual health checks including blood work.

Call us for a wellness check for your bird. Often things can be found and treated before serious or permanent harm is done.