| Problems peculiar to pet birds |
| The clinic received a phone call recently from a bird breeder in the west Alabama area who was concerned about the threat of Newcastle Disease to her business. Specially, she was worried about the costs of testing birds she might be shipping out-of-state for resale. This call highlights several important points about Indian Hills Animal Clinic and about avian diseases. (1) We serve Tuscaloosa and surrounding communities with experienced, knowledgeable care. As one of the Tuscaloosa/west Alabama area's only veterinarians practicing avian medicine, Dr. Philip Smith is your source for bird care: from sexing your exotic to testing for bacterial and viral infections to routine beak, wing and nail trims, Indian Hills is the place for you to bring your pet. Since Exotic Newcastle Disease is a relatively new threat in the United States, we had to turn to academic experts in order to access the threat to avians in our state. (2) Indian Hills maintains close ties with experts in every field of veterinary medicine. Our doctors can call on experts as close as Birmingham, Auburn and Starkville to as far away as Arizona and California. Whatever conditions your pet is facing, Indian Hills Animal Clinic takes a problem-oriented approach and will find a solution. In order to find out more on the prevalence, threat and testing for Newcastle Disease, we called the State Veterinary Labs in Auburn. Although Newcastle Disease is not currently a problem in Alabama, state veterinarians are interested to know of any avians being imported into the area. Newcastle could have a devastating effect on the state's large poultry industry as well as on people's beloved pets. As far as testing for the disease goes, specific methods of testing do exist and can be performed at Auburn. For more information on testing your macaw, African gray, cockatiel, lovebird or other feathered friend for Exotic Newcastle Disease, please call our office at |
| 345-1231 |
| Our hours of operation are Monday through Friday 7 am to 5:30 pm and Saturdays 7 am until noon. If you would like to have your bird tested for Newcastle or the more common Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD) and polyomia virus, please contact us about the requirements for testing (some samples may require special equipment or preparation) and scheduling. Although we do a walk-in business, it is best to call and verify that Dr. Smith will be available to treat your pet. Thorough examinations and health certificates are available for pets travelling with their owners as well as pets being sold in other states or countries. Testing and certification will be based upon the requirements of the destination state or country. |
| Indian Hills Animal Clinic and Pet Hotel 200 McFarland Circle North Tuscaloosa, AL 35406 |
| information on boarding pets yes, we board birds... and cats and dogs and even fish! |
| photos of Indian Hills: our staff our facility our pets |