Services

Center for Birds and Exotic Animals would like to be your partner in veterinary health care. Feel free to ask your questions and share your concerns with us. We will work with you to develop a wellness program for the care and treatment your pet needs.

We welcome you to our practice and look forward to caring for your pet.

Center for Birds and Exotic Animals provides a full range of veterinary services including the following:

Bird Health Examination

Birds, like all pets, should be taken for regular, usually annual, veterinarian checkups. Owners of birds should be careful to seek out a board-certified avian veterinarian since most vets who treat dogs and cats are not sufficiently familiar with avian health care. This is important because birds, unlike some other pets, frequently evidence only very subtle symptoms of disease. The annual examination is also a good time to discuss any concerns about the bird's health or behavior with the doctor. ...

Dental Care for Pets

Dental care for pets is one of the most commonly overlooked areas of pet health care. Dental disease is a common problem for pets, with the majority of pets over the age of five suffering from some form of dental disease. Dental disease does not just affect the mouth of a pet. Left untreated, it can also lead to more serious health problems, including heart, lung, and kidney disease. It is therefore very important for pet owners to make sure that their pets receive proper dental care. ...

Ear Infections

Ear infections, medically known as otitis externa, are one of the most common medical conditions seen in pets. An ear infection involves the inflammation of the outer or inner ear canal. An ear infection may cause various symptoms including inflammation, pain, or behavioral changes in a pet. Left untreated, an ear infection may lead to hearing problems, permanent damage to the inner or middle ear, or other health problems. Fortunately, most pet ear infections can be successfully treated. ...

Endoscopy

Endoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that allows for visual examination of the internal organs for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The procedure uses a thin, tube-like instrument with a camera on the end to allow the doctor to view the organs on a monitor. A doctor may perform an endoscopy to collect tissue samples for a biopsy, remove tumors, and provide a thorough view of a specific area. The endoscopy is a beneficial procedure because it is less invasive and safer than surgery and has minimal scarring and recovery times. ...

Ferret Basics

Ferrets have been domesticated for 2,000 years and can make good pets for people who have an understanding of their needs. No pet should be adopted on a whim, but ferrets are more than typically difficult to manage. Ferrets are never recommended for households with young children (under 7) and must be closely supervised if near infants. Nonetheless, for owners who research ferrets thoroughly and train them carefully, these animals can make playful and loyal pets. ...

Guinea Pig Basics

Guinea pigs are small, weighing only a couple of pounds, and have a lifespan of 5 to 7 years. They are excellent starter pets for children old enough to have learned to be gentle. Pleasant, docile, and responsive, they are cuddly and very rarely bite. There are three types of guinea pigs: smooth-coated, the most common type, Abyssinian, with tufts of fur going in different directions, and Peruvian, with long, flowing hair. ...

Hamster Basics

Hamsters make delightful pets, but it is important to become familiar with their types and habits before adopting one. Although clearly adorable small animals, hamsters have certain characteristics that may make them difficult for certain households. One is that they are nocturnal creatures. Not only does this make them possibly cranky and more apt to nip when awakened during the day, it also means that they will be making noise during the night by digging, exploring, scratching or running on a toy wheel. Because hamsters are prone to nipping, they are inappropriate pets for households with children under the age of 6. ...

Heartworm Disease

Heartworm disease, which is transmitted through mosquito bites, is caused by a parasitic roundworm named Dirofilaria immitis. Dogs are the animal most susceptible to heartworm disease, but it also affects cats and ferrets, among other animals.The disease is called "heartworm" because, once the roundworms mature, they live in the heart, although they can also reside in the lungs and associated blood vessels. Once an animal is infected, it takes the parasites 6 months to develop into mature heartworms. ...

Hedgehog Basics

Hedgehogs can be delightful pets, but would-be owners should be certain to research these creatures before deciding to adopt one. Although hedgehogs have become popular as house pets in recent years, they are not as easy to maintain as it might first appear. For one thing, in several places, including California, Georgia, Hawaii and New York City, it is illegal to own a hedgehog. For another, these small animals are prone to allergies, disease and certain accidental injuries. Nocturnal creatures, hedgehogs are naturally inclined to sleep for large portions of the daytime, so their routine is not suited to most human schedules. ...

Lizard Basics

Lizards can make fascinating pets, but a responsible owner should become informed about lizards in general, and the species being considered for adoption in particular, before choosing such a pet. While some lizards can be responsive to humans, many are difficult to handle. Lizards can also transmit illnesses, chiefly salmonella, to their human companions. ...

Microchip Implants

Microchips are tiny devices that are implanted under the skin of animals to help identify them if they stray or are lost or stolen. The microchip, about the size of a large grain of rice, uses passive RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology to provide permanent identification, including a special code number and data such as the pet's breed, gender and age and the pet owner's name and address. Microchips are now used by kennels, breeders, rescue groups, humane societies, farms, stables, and pet stores. While in the past similar information could be found on a tag on the animal's collar, an implanted chip is much more permanent. Since approximately half of all lost animals are found at shelters without a collar, the microchip implant provides peace of mind for the pet owner. ...

Pet Bird Basics

It is important for anyone who is going to adopt a bird to take the time necessary to understand birds in general and the particular species under consideration in particular. There are many fine books, DVDs and training courses available to acquaint the would-be bird owner with the characteristics and habits of particular types of birds. Understanding what will provide the safest, healthiest and most enjoyable environment for the pet bird will make the experience of the owning a bird more pleasurable for all concerned. Most pet birds are intelligent and social and will form a close bond with the person who cares for them. ...

Rabbit Basics

Rabbits can make wonderful pets, but it is important to understand some basic rabbit characteristics before adopting one. Although usually timid in new surroundings, rabbits can quickly acclimate to living with people, becoming friendly and affectionate. They are easily trained to use a litter box and most often get along well with other domesticated pets in the household. Because rabbits are neither diurnal or nocturnal, but crepuscular, (most active in early morning and early evening), their natural schedule fits easily in with human comings and goings. Like all pets, rabbits require an initial examination by a veterinarian when adopted and annual checkups thereafter. ...

Snake Basics

Snakes can be fascinating pets, but it is important that would-be snake owners do their research to make sure a particular species of snake is appropriate for their household. People who adopt snakes should be prepared to make a long-term commitment since snakes often live 20 years or longer. Snakes must be fed prey animals, so anyone adopting a snake has to be comfortable with feeding rodents, or other small animals, to the pet. ...

Turtle Basics

Although turtles have a reputation for being low maintenance pets, this is not actually the case. For their own well-being and for the health of the humans around them, turtles require careful tending. Any potential turtle owner should be aware that the Humane Society recommends against adopting turtles as pets, particularly in households with children, primarily because of the risk of Salmonella. Still, under the right conditions, with informed and dedicated owners, turtles can be enjoyable and interesting pets. ...