Birds: The Parrots

Feathers, only two legs and feet and past ancestors that were dinosaurs make our feathered friends different than any other pet.  Smart, inquisitive and sometimes messy or raucous, birds are not for everyone.

Cleanliness and good nutrition are the secrets of success when living with these pets.  Daily changes of floor coverings, water and food help them stay fit.  Frequent physical examinations (two times each year), and diagnostic tests at times, often identify developing problems before they are too advanced.

Different species may live for from twenty to more than fifty years, making them some of our longest lived animals.  Many have not achieved these lengths of life because of prior lack of knowledge of their diets and habits.  New information, with more available every day, now helps remedy that unfortunate situation.  For example, did you know that feeding seed diets may cause malnutrition.  Seeds should never be more that 5% to 10% of a bird's diet.  The best food for pet birds is a manufactured, pellet diet that contains all of the nutrition, vitamins and minerals the pet needs for good health.  Two brands that give good nutrition and good results are ZuPreem and LaFebers.

Remember, seeds should be NO MORE than 10% of a bird's diet!

And, we also treat birds other than those in the parrot family but not nearly as many.  People's pet preferences sometimes amaze me.  Over my thirty-five years of practice here, I have been presented with many chickens, some of which lived long and happy lives in their owners homes.  Once a hen was brought in because she had a broken leg; the owner had inadvertently hit her with a bedroom door as they walked through the house.  We pinned the fracture in her leg, and she went home.

And, did I mention canaries? 

I have treated a variety of types of owls that have suffered a multitude of accidents, the most common being hit by a car.  Owls are avian aerobatic daredevils, but they cannot survive a car.  Broken wings are the most common result when these beautiful birds and automobiles collide.

So whatever avian species you may have, call us.  Chances are we can help your's, too.