I phoned up our local veterinary hospital today to see if the vets there are avian vets. We know all the vets there really well as we own a bull terrier who has had more visits than the average dog over her 11 years and we trust them completely with her.

 

The vet nurse, who is also really good, said they're not specialist avian vets but do treat a lot of birds and are familiar with the common illnesses and also know enough to refer us onto an avian vet if they are unsure of the problem.

 

Unfortunately I'm finding it really hard to find a local avian vet and the one we used to see in town is no longer there. Would you recommend I just take our budgie there if he's unwell or should I continue to seek out an avian vet to be sure? What experiances have other had with general vets and their budgies?

 

As we're up in the hills our vets have to see a lot more than just dogs and cats, so I suspect they would be more multi-skilled perhaps than your typical suburban vet.

 

EDIT: Oh the other thing is they're available 24x7.

Edited November 26, 200816 yr by Hills

If it is an emergency I would go if you have some time Liv is in Adelaide she may know or have a look

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

 

Glenside Veterinary Clinic

Pin Needham

294 Greenhill Road

Glenside 5065

08 8379 0222

 

Adelaide Zoo

Dave J. Schultz

Frome Road

North Adelaide 5006

08 8267 3255

 

Pam Scanlon

Pam Scanlon

25 Clarke Street

Port Noarlunge 5167

08 8384 4363

 

 

I. J. Hough

22a Chasewater Street

Lower Mitcham SA

08 8277 7788

 

There maybe one close to you

Thanks Neat, I did see those. I suspect I J Hough would be who our vet would refer us to.

 

I guess no where in Adelaide is "too" far :rofl: but they're not as convenient as our hospital which is only 5 min away.

Edited November 26, 200816 yr by Hills

Avian vets are something i am still struggling to find. There is an okay one in Salisbury on the Main North Road.

I have heard Pin (mentioned by neat) is very good but is a bit far from me

 

I don't have one i would recommend yet, still searching.

 

Ernest is okay isn't he :rofl:

Ernest is okay isn't he :rofl:

 

Absolutely!! He's in tip top condition, I just want to be prepared and not have to panic at the time. I like to have action plans in place, I'm a bit anal about things like that...

Edited November 26, 200816 yr by Hills

We have a list on BBC :question:

Kaz is right in the FAQ there is an Avian Vet Look-Up that may help you out.

Avian Vet List

Thanks Elly & Kaz, yes I did see those and if its not urgent and I can get there during office hours I will use either I J Hough or Pin Needham in town. Our local Vet hospital is only 5 minutes away and they're available 24 x 7, so I was wondering what experiences people have had with general vets compared to specialists. Do they typically resolve most issues or do they often misdiagnose and make the situation worse.

 

I guess Neat aswered this though, if its an emergency after hours I'll go straight to the hospital and see how they go. It can't be any worse than waiting till Monday morning and seeing the specialists.

 

Thanks for the replies!! :question:

Regular vets usually make misdiagnosis and treat with a spectrum antibiotic vs doing avian testing. I had my own experience with Pretty in this situation. In the end, he could have not saved him but he didn't do any testing either. Now I know symptoms, look at the poops daily, and behavior I would have probably caught Pretty's illness quicker but I can't look back it was a learning experience for me and helps me keep Merlin under check.

I am lucky, I live in the country but my vet is only 40 minutes away by car. Dr Doug Black

That's no good Elly!! That's exactly the situation I want to avoid. If they diagnose without taking any tests then I'll seek a second opinion from an avian vet.

 

Haha, thats a long way to us near city dwellers, splat.

I go to Pam Scanlon. I am so lucky she is just round the corner. She has treated some of my birds, done an autopsy on one for me and just recently diagnosed a hen who was not only egg bound, but the egg had gone back up inside her and was out of the birthing tract (my words, hers were a bit more technical than that). She told me my options and didnt actually say she should be put down, but after hearing her diagnosis, I decided that was the best thing. I was quite upset when I walked out of the consulting room with an empty cage - death is never easy. A few days later, I got the loveliest card in the post from the vet saying they were sorry for my loss of Lou

 

I thought it was a very nice, personal touch :rip:

They sound good. I hope i can find some one like that out my way

Yeah that's great service Sunnie, you're very lucky to be close to her!

 

When we had to get our last Bull Terrier, Tessa, put down at 13 years of age, the vets at this hospital sent us a card saying they were sorry for our loss and that Tessa was lucky to have had us as owners. That's why we keep going back there and also the reason I hope they are able to look after Ernie as well. I know they genuinely care.