Avian & Exotic Medicine Service
Emergency service is provided for all of our current patients and new patients, referrals and non-referrals, 24/7 all year long. Please contact the Small Animal Clinic at 519-823-8830 to inquire about all our services or schedule an appointment.
Certain animals cannot be admitted, examined, or treated at the OVC
Avian and Exotic Medicine Service without specific approval from the Head
of Service due to liability and safety issues. These include, among
others, privately owned non-domestic felids, large crocodilians,
primates, bats, raccoons, skunks, and opossums. We do not see venomous
snakes or venomous invertebrates. Clients presenting wildlife species as
owned animals must have the appropriate Ontario Ministry of Natural
Resources and Canadian Wildlife permits in order to be seen. Please
contact the OVC Small Animal reception to speak with a clinician if you
are interested in having us see an animal that falls under these
guidelines.
Below is a list of species the OVC Avian and Exotic Medicine Service will examine.
Birds
- Parrots, cockatoos, lories
- Birds of prey (falcons, hawks, eagles, vultures, owls)
- Waterfowls (ducks, swans, geese)
- Racing pigeons and other columbids
- Pet chickens, turkeys, and quails
- Passerine birds (fringillidae, estrildidae, exotic passerines)
- Toucans and other pet ramphastids
- Ratites (ostriches, emus)
- Zoological avian species (cranes, hornbills, pelicans, water birds...)
Reptiles
- Lizards
- Chelonians: turtles and tortoises
- Snakes (excluding venomous snakes)
- Other squamates
Companion exotic mammals
- Ferrets
- Rabbits
- Guinea pigs
- Other rodents: chinchillas, rats, mice, hamsters, gerbils
- Sugar gliders and African pigmy hedgehogs
- Pet pigs, goats, and small ungulates are seen by the Large Animal Clinic
Others
- Pet fish and invertebrates
Claudia Kabakchiev, DVM
Zachary Kline, DVM
Omar Zaheer, DVM
Sarah M. Birch, RVT