Choosing a Veterinarian for your Cockatiel
Finding a good veterinarian for your cockatiel may be more difficult than you think. Unlike regular veterinarians that specialize in cats and dogs, finding one that understands birds could be hard. Usually you may have a few to pick from, so here is what you
should ask before deciding on an avian vet.
The most important question should be their hours of operation. Cockatiels are prone to night frights, which is where they start to fly around their cage frantically. They may break their wings, beak, or
blood feathers during the early hours of the morning. Most vets are only open until 6 PM and are then closed overnight. This could be potentially fatal for a bird emergency at 10PM. Always ask whether or not they respond to emergencies or have a clinic in the
area that is open 24 hours a day for emergencies. Veterinarians are usually closed during the weekend, so try to have a back up in case of emergency.
Make sure that this veterinarian has worked with cockatiels previously and understands how their
bodies work. They should be able to stop serious bleeding and be able to remove blood feathers if one becomes broken. If they just have basic training in avian care, then it is up to you whether or not to take your cockatiel there. Ask them whether or not they
are up to date with their avian training as well.
It is best to ask how much their office visits and emergency visits cost upfront, so there are no surprises when a tragedy occurs. Finding good quality care can be rather expensive in certain areas of
the country, so be prepared to dig deep into your pockets. Emergency visits can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on the procedures involved. If your cockatiel needs to spend the night, expect a large bill for its care.
Always have an
avian vet picked out before an emergency occurs. This will cause less stress for the owner and cockatiel. If you are frantically searching for a vet as your cockatiel is bleeding or struggling to breath it could become a problem. Check your local telephone book
for listings of avian vets and ask your local pet store. It is also best to find other bird lovers in your area to see which vet they go to for emergencies. The best source is from other cockatiel and parrot owners because they have first hand experience with the vet.
Caring for Sick Birds
Although caring for any sick pet can be a bit tricky, caring for sick birds is extremely challenging. By the time many bird owners realize their pets are sick, the birds are seriously ill. If your bird is sick, you should contact your avian...
Determining the Sex of Your New Bird
Many people are not concerned with whether they have a male or female bird. After all, if you're not going to breed your bird, it doesn't really matter, right? Actually, it is important to know whether you have a female bird because you will need to...
Feeding Your Bird
Feeding a bird is easy. After all, you just toss some seeds in a bowl and give them some water and you're done, right? Actually, if you want a healthy bird, you will need to do a bit more than that. There are quite a few different bird diets you can...
Dangerous Household Products to Cockatiels
There are many products in your house that are dangerous and lethal to your cockatiel. Knowing which products and what to look for is necessary. Having a healthy environment for your bird should be number one priority. Certain fumes, plants,...
Cockatiel Avian Vet Visits
Taking your cockatiel to the vet can be traumatic or stressful to your bird. However, it is necessary to have them checked at least once a year for any signs of illness or disease. If your bird is already showing signs of illness, then he should...
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