Conference 7.286::pet_birds

    I would like to HIGHLY recommmend:
    
    Dr. Roxanne Knight-Plouff
    Weetahmo Vetrinary Hospital
    Leslie Road (Route 133)
    Rowley, MA
    948-2323
    
    They are a full service, EXCELLENT, small animal hospital with a
    speciality in birds (they have 67 of their own).

    oh well, when I started to reply, re .2, there were no others...
    when you is second, you try harder!!!
    

    Dr. Knight-Plouff will also do house calls -- forgot to mention
    that!  She trained at Tufts with the doctors mentioned in .2.
    I have been incredibly impressed both with the knowledge, quality
    of care, and time spent with me and my animals.
    

    For CA residents...
    Dr. Brian Speer
    Oakley Vet Clinic
    Oakley, CA  415-625-1878  (this is from memory, so...)
    
    I really am impressed with him, especially the way he helped my
    little Hahn's and her formerly spraddled legs!
    
    Ed

    I just happen to have a Veterinary Directory that covers the whole
    50 states!  It's a 600 page book, certainly cannot enter all the
    names, but, let me know where you live, and I will gladly post the
    information for you!  complete with address and phone numbers too!
    
    -jean

    
    re: .6
    
    Jean-
    
    Unlike most other Noters (and DECies!) I don't live in MA, NH, VT
    or ME.  I live in Maryland, just outside Washington, DC.  I would
    greatly appreciate the name of an avian vet in the area.  Though
    I only have a parakeet at present, I am interested in getting some
    other birds, so I thought it would be a good idea to check into
    vets.  Thank you very much!
    
    Wayne
    (a southern boy)
    

    Hi Wayne....I married me a cowboy...talk about displaced...
    
    Wayne, can you be more specific about your location?  I stopped
    counting at 125 cities and veterinarians listed so far for Maryland!
    Gee, I'd need a fax machine to send you all that!!!  8^}
    
    jean

    
    Jean-
    
    Silly me!  I guess I figured since your answers to bird questions
    always seem so knowledgeable, that you'd be able to pull the most
    convenient vet in Maryland right out of your hat! (Maryland is a
    pretty small state, right?)
    
    Sorry.  Anyway, the best locations for me are Bethesda, Silver Spring
    and Rockville (no, this is not the Flintstones), MD.  I'm sure somebody
    will be in one of those places.  Thanks again.
    
    
    Wayne

    Quite comic aren't you Wayne???  ;-)  Thanks for the compliment too!
    <Blush>!
    
    Bethesda:  Sam Abramson, 5415 Linden Ct. |  Steve Antic, Bradley
    Blvd Vet. Clinic, 7210 Bradley Blvd.  |  Albert Benson, 7818 Old
    Georgetown Rd.  |  Raymond Currey, 6260 Bradley Blvd.  |  Gordon
    currey, Butler Rd.  |  John Donovan,, 9000 Rockville Pike  |  Kathleen
    Dougherty, 9314 Parkhill Terr.  |  Rudolph Fanari, 6108 Maiden Lane
     |  William Gay, 5200 Chandler St.  |  Fritz Gluckstein, 5603 Oak
    Place  |  Holly Woltz, 5506 Lambeth Rd.
    
    Rockville:  William Amoroso, 5409 Groveridge Way  |  Dan Berbert,
    14607 Carrolton Rd.  |  Richard Cardy, Hazleton Lab of America 1330
    Picard Dr.  |  Lewis Cooper, 12200 Rockville Pike (Montgomery Clinic)
    |  Marilyn Donovan, 11312 Rollinghouse Rd.  |  William Inskeep (Capt)
    5209 Continental Dr.  |  Diane Jeang, 14104 Artic Ave  |  Ron Moch,
    728 College Pky.  |  William Sims, 4925 Jasmine Dr.  |  Gordon Vacura
    (Col) 212 New Mark Esplanade  |John Wyss, 6011 Neilwood Dr.
    
    Silver Springs:  Ralph Anslow, 3540 Chiswick Ct.  |  Monica Aukward,
    604 Dale Drive  |  Diane Blackmore, 3501 Pear Tree Ct 22,  |  Mike
    Blackell, 13507 Rippling Brook Dr.  |  John Braddy, Piney Branch
    Animal Hosp, 632 University Blvd.  |  Jennifer Burris, 511 Forest
    Glen Rd.  |  Ray Craft, 109 Ednor Rd.  |  Ron Dutton, 1009 Windmill
    Lane  |  Bruce Farris, 2445 Lyttonsville Rd.  |  James Hailey, 2680
    Linden Lane  |  Ericson Isle, 2025 Powder Mill Rd.  | Jim McMillin,
    10210 Menlo Ave.  |  Edgar Ruebush, Ambassador Animal Hosital, 7979
    Georgia Ave  |  Clara Witt, 9505 Woodstock Ct.
    
    Wayne, these are only *SOME* vets!  I hope it helps you!  If you
    find one you do not like, please let me know, and I'll put a note
    beside the name!
    
    Happy Hunting!!
    
    j

    This ones for Laura and Mad Max...
    
    Milford:  Dale Clark, 110 Canal St.  |  Richard Duhaime, 7404 Highland
    Hwy  |  Judi Freid, 921 N Garner Rd  |  Theresa Krieger, 2101 Garner
    Rd  |  Ronald Mills, 3630 Lone Tree Road  |  
    
    Walled Lake:  Mary Jutte, 1250 E Lake Dr  |  Margaret Muns, 345
    Neptune Dr  |  Dave Roberts, Walled Lake Vet Hosp, 1501 W Maple
    Rd.
    
    Union:  Loren Burlingame, 727 Broadway 
    
    Wixom:  Sue Aiello, 31170 Woodland  |  Frank Marotta, 2075 Chickasaw
    |  Val Van Gieson, 50496 Pontiac
    
    Highland:  Gerald Schave, Highland Veteriary Hospital, 1255 S. Milford
    Rd.
    
    Laura, I had asked Wayne too, if you find one you do not like, please
    let me know and I'll mark the directory!
    
    thanks!
    
    J

    re: 12.5
    
    I called Dr. brian Speer he was not in but another Vet
    by the name of Dr. Flag was in. she is two hours away but
    she recomended Dr. Saunders @ Cottage Veterinary I will 
    let you know after 4:00 today.
    
    Donna
   

    Dr. Saunders is a wonderful doctor. He told
    me the other Vet that I had did a fine job so
    if I wanted to go back to her I could but seeing 
    Dr. Saunders work with spot. He was a lot more 
    confortable handling him. 
    
    Cottage Veterinary
    1590 Boulevard Way
    Walnut Creek, Ca.
    94596
    
    415-935-9080
    
    Donna

    For the first time this weekend we used Dr. Marty Kuhn.  She was
    wonderful.  She specializes in avian medicine/surgery.  We took
    my two quaker babies in to her for a general checkup including blood
    tests.  She spent a good two hours with me and the birds, showed
    me slides of their blood versus the blood of a sick bird and gave
    me a general education on their health and manicured their beaks,
    nails and clipped their wings.  For Colorado folks, I would recommend
    her very highly!
    
    Marty Kuhn D.V.M.
    Avian, Exotic and Companion Animal Medicine/Surgery
    P.O. Box 1163
    Monument, CO 80132
    
    (719) 488-3018

    I use Dr Prevost in Rocky Hill NJ for my cat.  I have always been
    impressed with him.  He does not do Birds.  He did recomend a bird
    vet in central NJ that seems to be quite good.  We took Chico for
    his initial check-up today.  His name is:
    
    Dr. James McKinley, M.S., D.V.M.
    347 Amwell Road (Rt. 514)
    Nechanic, NJ  08853 
    
    201-369-7373  
    
    He is located about 15 minutes north of Princeton on Rt 206.
    
    Dave
    

    I just "aquired" a cockateil last night.  Anyone know of a good
    vet in the No. Reading, MA area ?  (just for future reference)
    
    Thanks in advance.
    
    Ann
    
    ps ...his name is "Larry Bird"  I can't wait to teach him to talk...
    imagine the possibilities...8-)
    

    You're pretty close to Route 133 -- Weetahmo Vetinary Hospital....see
    previous reply......they're great!!!!

    I think I've heard good things about Dr. Phenix in Milford, NH.
    Or maybe that was just for exotic animals like lizards and
    tropical fish...  Anyone know about him?  I'd be very interested
    in hearing one way or the other since I live in Milford.
    
    Karen

         I'd like to recommend Dr. Nancy Clark of Tufts University in North
    Grafton, MA.  She took care of one of our pheasants who got an eye
    infection and not only had to have her sinuses flushed, but later had
    to have surgery to remove hardened pus that had formed.  There have
    been sightings of her over the past couple of months (the pheasant,
    Tiger, not the vet ;-) ), so she is still doing well (as long as she
    avoids cats, dogs and ferrets).
    
                                    - Andrea
    

Last Saturday I had an appt. with Countryside Animal Hospital in
    Chelmsford, MA.  I had never been before and called on Friday to
    make the appointment.  They were very accommodating, offering either
    a morning or afternoon opening.  I was very comfortable with both
    the reception staff and the vet that I saw.  Their info sheet that
    I was asked to fill out for their records was interesting in that
    it asked questions like do you consider your pet part of the family,
    are you limited as to treatment you would like performed, and would
    you like the doctor to explain all procedures.  If you answer honestly
    it makes it much easier for everyone to help do what is best for
    all concerned.  Last night I got a follow up phone call and a chance
    to talk with the "head vet"  Dr. Holub.   I would not ever hesitate
    to use their services again as compared to the other 'avian vets'
    in my area their prices were reasonable, their attitude outstanding,
    and most important they really cared about my bird and treated me
    as an equal.  And the bonus is that they are open some evenings
    and all day Saturday.  
    
    MaryAnne  MacDonald

    
               The Worcester Cat Hospital and Bird Clinic
                       Park Avenue,Worcester Ma.
       
    My wife Diana and I were very happy to find the services of Dr.
    Jan Belmonte and her husband when the health of our first parrot
    went into a tail spin of acute sinus-itus and after further testing
    psittacosis just several weeks after purchase,but thats another story
    (See "Little shop of horrors"-130.8). Since then weve purchased 
    our latest feathered friend "Sam",a 6 month old Yellow Nape Amazon.
    Things have gone well,Dr.Belmonte has given us nothing but professional
    service, sound advice and attentive care to our birds(4 keets,2
    fischer love birds and Sam) and all at a fair price.
    
                             If your in need,and in the area, Dr. Belmonte
    and her staff are top notch.                              
                                              Best Wishes,
                                                          Ken and Diana    

    I just tried to call Tufts university to see if they would be
    interested in the 2 free Cocatoos with PFBD for research, but the
    phone just kept ringing.  Anyone know the current phone number ?
    
    Doug

    The general number is (508)839-5302.  The operator will put you through 
    to the small animal hospital.  I am surprised that it just kept
    ringing, I never have had any trouble before.
    
    stephanie

    Now that I am an experienced Bird Person. I can recommend.
    
    In the Tracy-Livermore area Dr. Brian Spear at Oakley Vet
    Clinic in Oakley or anyone on his staff.
    
    In the Berkeley-Castro Valley area Dr.Harris at Montclair Vet
    Hospital in Oakland.
    
    Both Vet specialize in Birds.
    Donna Mappes

    .-1 it's Speer actually!
    
    Ed
    

    Does anyone have any names for bird vets in the Norwood or Boston
    area? I'm entering this for a friend who has a blue-front amazon.
    She used to take him to Angell but the bird vet there recently
    stopped taking patients and is focusing on administration (this is
    what she was told when she called). 
    
    She recently had an emergency on a weekend and had to go to Tufts.
    It made her a little nervous that she had to leave the bird someplace
    that she could not get to easily. 
    
    Thanks,
    
    Janice 

    I can not believe I've just read through this whole file and not a
    single mention of Dr. Alexandra Kilgore of the Littleton Animal
    Hospital.  I have had my yellow nape there twice and I have never seen
    anyone handle birds the way she does.  My bird will not go to anyone
    but myself and my son.  Never a woman. (She loves men).  Dr. Kilgore,
    after 5 minutes had her in her hands and playing with her with no
    problems.  As a vet you can tell she knows and enjoys what she does,
    it's not just a job.  I would highly recommend her if you are in the
    Littleton area.
    
    Roger

    Well, since this note is in here, I'd like to add my vote of
    confidence for Dr. Kaufmann of Tufts in Grafton.  She cared for my
    Larrybird through his recent trauma.  She is - great!
    
    BTW:  Larrybird is fully recovered.  He is his wonderful self again-
    his feathers grew back in well, the wound under his beak healed, and
    the scratch on his eye healed.  He is eating healthy again, filling in,
    and best of all-- SINGING TO ME again!

    I just brought one of my cockatiels to a place called (I think)
    Countryside Veterinary Clinic in Chelmsford.  They were very good with
    my bird and handled it very well.
    
    Chris D. 

    Just wanted to add my vote for Dr. Kilgore in Littleton (see note 276). 
    My husband, who is very difficult to please/impress, just took our
    parakeets there and was *very* pleased.  She handled the birds easily,
    advised us that they do not have mites, gave him lots of good
    information and some treatment for one bird.  She said the terra cotta
    perches we use are very good for birds (no nail/beak trimming needed,
    at least for these guys).  I may try her for my cats too.
    Judy Woo

     
    We just got Cassie, A grey Cockatiel so we decided to checkitout for
    an avian vet in our area. We found a Dr. Metz on Shelbourne Rd. In
    Shelbourne. We have never visited (we do have a visit scheduled for a
    well bird check just after Christmas) but ---- He did return our call
    very quickly and was personable, and informative on the phone. 

      I just read a few vet ideas, What about in Colorado Springs Colorado
    ? I hav a Indian Ringneck and a Red Crown Amazon.
    

    
    	I haven't been keeping up with this notes file, so if you've 
    found a vet already, you can ignore this.
    	I wholeheartedly suggest you go to East Springs Animal Hospital.
    The phone number is 591-4545. I've been taking my birds there for a 
    couple of years now. They have consistently bent over backwards to 
    help me. When I needed two wild Greys feather-sexed, they had no
    problems coming to my house and didn't charge anything extra. 
    	I wouldn't go anywhere else.
    
    						Mark

    Hi,
    
    I'm new to the conference. 
    
    Is there any bird vets for us Canadians. I'm in the Toronto area.
    
    hope someone can help.
    
    Rocco

    I'm taking my cockatiels, Saki and Sushi, to the vet tomorrow.  They've
    been waking up shivering, even tho their cage is covered and I can't
    find any drafts (my other birds are fine), and this morning Sushi
    sneezed twice.
    
    I've held off taking them for a week now because of the cold, but since
    it's definitely not my imagination, I figure I'd better get it over
    with.  Any tips on mid-winter travel?  I figured I'd wrap them in
    towels and put them in little boxes, then put the boxes in a plastic
    bag just for carrying.  Will that protect them enough until they get to
    a warmed up car?  Should I bring anything with me (like a cage)?
    
    Mary

    
    
    The red flag I see is putting the boxes in
    a plastic bag. Will they get enough air???
    Also make sure you put air holes in the boxes.
    
    chet
     p.s. it probably wouldn't hurt to check
          with the vet for suggested travel 
          methods. They deal with it every day.
    

    Hi,
    
    The boxes have holes and the plastic bag is just as a wind-breaker --
    open it up as soon as I'm in the car.
    
    Thanks,
    Mary

    Myself I warm the car up, put a towel over the cage and put the cage in
    the car. The towel is large enough that it covers the whole cage and
    the walk from the house to the car is less than 2 minutes and the same
    at the office.
    
    How ever you do it, it is a good idea to put some clean white paper in
    the bottom of the carrier, so that the vet has a clean, fresh stool. If
    the trip to the vet is real short you should bring some fresh stool
    from the papers at home. If you use corn cob, you should replace it
    with paper to get a fresh dropping.
    
    Good Luck,
    Doug

    Well, it turned out that Sushi and Saki both have sinus infections. 
    According to Dr. Sager, this is usually caused by a vitamin A
    deficiency. He gave them overall exams and did a fecal on Sushi (who 
    is the sicker of the 2).  He gave them antibiotic and vitamin injections 
    and a prescription (boy did I feel funny going to the pharmacy with a
    prescription for Saki and Sushi Mistovich).  He also flushed out their
    sinuses.  Finally, he gave me tips on how to get them to eat their
    carrots and broccoli.  
    
    Poor Sushi was terribly stressed by the ordeal and looked much worse
    when she got home.  She is now somewhat improved, but still
    trembling/shivering when she sleeps or rests.  I'm doing what I can to
    keep them quiet and warm.
    
    The fecals came up positive for bacteria and negative for fungus/yeast
    infection.  Does anyone else have experience with this in cockatiels? 
    How long should it take before they're better (actually, Saki looked
    *much* better this morning)?   Dr. Sager asked me to call him with a
    progress report on Monday or Tuesday.
    
    Thanks for the trip-tips!  The traveling went real well and Sushi was
    compliant enough to leave a stool sample right on her paper towel
    (Saki, ornery critter that he is, smeared his on the side of the box)!
    
    Mary

Hi Mary,

  I had a very similar experience with my cockatiel.  My vet said the same
things about vitamin a and d.  He gave Fitz a vitamin a and d injection and
an antibiotic prescription. Fortunately, I tried giving Fitz carrots and he 
really likes them!  I also removed sunflower seeds from his diet.  

Anyway, it took longer than I anticipated for Fitz to recover.  It was
about a week before all of the sneezing stopped.  I remember it was hard
to be sure he got the proper dosage of the anitbiotic because it was such a 
tiny amount.

I kept him in an aquarium with a heating pad (and a thermometer) for that
week.  The worst he ever got was near the end of the exam at the vet
(just like Sushi).  

Hope yours have a speedy recovery.

Roseanne

    Thanks, Roseanne,
    
    As of this morning, all the symptoms are completely gone.  The
    antibiotics continue for another 5 days...