By Dr. Laurie Hess, DVM, Diplomate ABVP (Avian Practice) In veterinary school, most students receive very little training in the field of bird care. Therefore, most new graduate veterinarians are ill-equipped to care for this unique species. To truly understand how to provide medical and surgical treatment to birds, veterinarians must complete, at minimum, a …
By Dr. Laurie Hess, DVM, Diplomate ABVP (Avian Practice) “My bird has never been sick before, so I’ve never needed to bring him to the vet.” This is what I often hear from bird owners when I ask them whether their pets have ever been treated by a veterinarian. In fact, all birds should have …
By Dr. Laurie Hess, DVM, Diplomate ABVP (Avian Practice) Just like us, birds love to eat treats. Whether you are rewarding your bird for performing trained behaviors or just giving him a little extra love, a treat can help you both build strong bonds. There are a variety of different foods that can be given …
By Dr. Laurie Hess, DVM, Diplomate ABVP (Avian Practice) Birds are flock animals that are used to living in groups of dozens to hundreds, making them very social creatures. Their social and active nature makes it necessary for them to spend some time out of their cages every day. Many bird owners wonder how much …
By Dr. Laurie Hess, DVM, Diplomate ABVP (Avian Practice) It would be great if you could simply offer your pet bird nutritionally complete pelleted food and immediately wean him off a high-fat, nutrient-poor seed diet. But most of the time, it doesn’t work that way. Many species of birds are stubborn and unwilling to try …
“Tough Love” Conversion Method: Creating a Routine for Your Bird Read More »
The holidays are here, and it is celebration time, loaded with extra trimmings, decorations and merriment that surround our hearth and home. But, there are many challenges that we as bird owners need to keep in mind so that our feathered friends stay happy and safe. Consider these tips to keep your bird safe and …
By Dr. Laurie Hess, Dipl ABVP (Avian Practice) As social eaters, wild birds feed in flocks of hundreds to even thousands in the wild. Pet birds, too, like to share mealtime with their flock-mates – either other birds in the house or their human caretakers. Eating with feathered companions is a great way to socialize …
Dr. Laurie Hess, DVM, Diplomate ABVP (Avian Practice) What makes a good diet? Ideally, every bird should be on a pelleted diet. Pellets are a nutritionally complete food specially formulated for birds and should make up at least 60% of your bird’s daily food program. The other part of your bird’s diet can come from …
By Dr. Laurie Hess, Dipl ABVP (Avian Practice) As with other pet animals, obesity is a problem often encountered in pet birds. Obesity is a major problem in older birds and can contribute to diseases that are commonly seen in geriatric birds such as fatty liver disease (hepatic lipidosis) and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries …
African Greys are terrific birds but they are not for novice bird owners. Watch this video as Dr. Laurie Hess and her African Grey parrot Target discuss things you should expect should you decide to own one. https://youtu.be/u5fEzPywt80 Watch Do African Greys Make Good Pets on Youtube. Video Transcript Hi, I’m Dr. Laurie Hess, Director …
