How to Find an Avian Vet: Where to Look and What to Ask

Birds need a vet who treats birds. The Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV) recommends a wellness visit at least once a year, so your vet has normal values for your bird to compare against, and a health check straight away for any new bird, whether bought or adopted.

Where to find an avian vet

Birbs does not list individual vets. These official directories are the best places to start; a listing is not an endorsement, and the AAV itself notes that a vet without a specialist board certificate can still be an excellent bird vet.

• Worldwide: the AAV Find-A-Vet search of AAV members, by city or zip code, state, specialty or name.
• Europe: the European College of Zoological Medicine specialist search, which can be filtered to avian specialists.
• United States and 16 other countries: the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners specialist finder.
• United Kingdom: the RCVS Find a Vet search of registered practices — ring a practice and ask whether its vets treat birds.
• Australia and New Zealand: the AAV Australasian Committee member list, by state and for New Zealand.
• Pakistan: the Pakistan Veterinary Medical Council register confirms that a vet is registered — it does not show experience with birds, so ask.

Questions to ask a new practice

The AAV suggests asking a few questions before you need help, including:

• Do all the vets at the practice treat birds?
• Are the nurses or technicians trained to handle and treat birds?
• How are emergencies handled, including out of hours?

Agree an after-hours plan now, before you need it: many emergency clinics rarely see birds. The AAV’s full list is on its finding a veterinarian page.

Signs your bird should see a vet

Signs of illness in birds can be easy to miss. The AAV’s owner handout recommends weighing your bird weekly on a digital gram scale: a change of about 10% either way is a reason to see your vet. Changes in droppings are another early clue, including:

• fewer or smaller droppings;
• urates (the white part) turning green or yellow;
• diarrhoea, or much more urine than usual without a moist diet;
• blood, or a strong smell.

The handout lists more signs, including those that need help immediately — read Signs of Illness in Companion Birds (AAV, PDF). If you are worried, call an avian vet: do not wait, and do not try home remedies or medicines without a vet’s advice.