Birds

The practice has a good avian caseload and we treat a range of species from very small finches, small parrots and budgies, standard-sized parrots, larger macaws, all birds of prey, and the largest bird treated so far was a Rhea (see the gallery).

It is important that owners are aware of the need to see a sick bird quickly, as birds often only look sick when they are desperately ill.

We have full diagnostic, hospitalisation, and surgical facilities for these species, including Sevoflurane anaesthesia, which is widely regarded as being very safe for birds. We are stockists of Harrison's bird food as well as other supplements for birds, including Ultraviolet Light systems.

The different anatomy and physiology of birds are very important in their treatment. It is crucial to have a detailed appreciation of this, both in terms of hospitalisation and anaesthesia/surgery.

Blood tests, radiography, and video endoscopy are tools regularly used at this practice to diagnose and treat problems in birds.

It is a must that we get to the diagnosis quickly in avian cases and advise rapid referral if vets or clients are unsure.

We encourage insurance of birds in all cases. This is simply because we need to quickly diagnose disease in birds before it becomes life-threatening, meaning rapid work-up of cases.