The Center For Avian & Exotic Medicine

I definitely would not recommend this place. Most of the five-star reviews sound like they were written by a PR agency. (No typos etc...) The first time I took one of my rabbits there because he had an abscess. When I voiced my surprise at the projected bill for the removal of the abscess ($750), the technician (Lorelei) said that they charge more because they are at an expensive location. Recently, I gave them another try because there are very few rabbit-savvy vets in the city. I took one of my rabbits there because she had what appeared like a serious skin condition. A biopsy and culture was performed and the conclusion was that she had an allergy with a secondary skin infection. Antibiotic was prescribed. I paid almost $600. (She was only seen once by the Dr. Pilny.) When I dropped off my rabbit to have the stitches removed (from the biopsy) and pick up the antibiotics I asked whether the technician could cut the nails on her hind legs while she was at it. A charge of $21 appeared on the bill. I said that I would have preferred to be told in advance that they charge for nail clipping (especially since I just left more than $600 with them) and the receptionist's response was ""Oh, well..."" I emailed Dr. Pilny voicing my disapproval, no response. The infection went away briefly, then returned worse than ever. I emailed both doctors, Dr. Pilny (twice) and Dr. Wilson, asking whether there was anything else we could try, but never got a response. I think this place primarily cares about money, not about its patients and their owners. more

Well, I took my Quaker parrot in because he was picking his feathers. They gave me an e-collar and medicine with instruction. I followed the instructions correctly and woke up to a dead bird! The doctor's exact words after my bird's death were: ""This is a learning experience!"" (Dr.Maguire) They used my bird as an experiment. They didn't return the $500 I paid them to kill my bird and they promised to perform a free necropsy, but they lied. I've been waiting for a phone call (concerning the free necropsy) for a month now. I have yet to receive a call from them. DON'T TRUST THIS CLINIC!!!! To top this all off, I never received flowers nor a card. Not that this would bring back Cookie, but makes me question why I never received it (if its a ritual for them) and why I haven't received the promised phone call about the necropsy! more

i cannot recommend this place enough. we brought our ferret Addassa there when we noticed that she was getting sick. The Center took her in right away and ran all kinds of tests. while i will say it cost us quite a bit of money, i can honestly say it cost alot less than what i had expected. The cost wasnt the best part though, Dr. Maguire and Lorelei along with all the other staff we warm and caring. when they spoke about Addasa's condition i didnt feel as though they were talking down to me. they also understood that i was on a fixed income and talked to me before committing me to any procedures and they told me what procedures they didnt feel were needed. unfortunately Addassa's cancer was much worse than we all thought and she passed away after little more than a week. everyone at the Center seemed to genuinely care and they even sent a sympathy card in which Dr Maguire offered very comforting words. i think that these vets truly love what they do and care for the animals we put in their hands. this is the place everyone should go for their exotics. thank you again to everyone there. Jamie more

When your pet is in their hospital, and the pet dies, they send flowers and a sympathy card. I got one when my bird died. I was talking to someone who knows their florists, and apparently they send lots of flowers. more

I have been a client here since this practice first opened and only seen them improve. At first, their vets seemed a bit novice, but they have found a group of doctors now who are that perfect mix of insanely smart with a great bedside manner. They may be the only ""game-in-town"" but it's because they are the only ones who do it right! Pros: Great combination of compassion and competence! more

I have mixed thoughts about CA&E. Our pigeons have been going there since we have had them. They have been seen by Dr. Pesek, Dr. Wilson and Dr. Starkey, each of whom has brought a range of skills and knowledge to the job, each of which has had a unique and talented approach to the practice. Extraordinary care, especially hospital stays, are an entirely different matter. One of our birds ate the wrong thing, and was committed to care surgery &c. at CA&E. The surgery was difficult, and not entirely successful; I am unqualified to assess this. But a couple days later, when I went to see our baby, she had developed pneumonia. This had apparently escaped the attention of the CA&E staffer bringing the bird to the visit though the gasping and wheezing and rales were audible and obvious. Clearly no one had reported it to her attending vet, who was visibly surprised when I pointed this out to him. Yet CA&E staff and management adamantly asserted that they had not been negligent, and no one had been ""blind-sided"". My darling companion died of this hospital-acquired pneumonia (always considered a medical mistake) and care that was clearly inept. Her poor little body was wasted away; starvation and consequent weakness was clearly no small part of her lonely and painful death. So: While the veterinarian employees seem fine, the management, nursing and hospital staff appear inept, at best. It is clear that the veterinarian who owns the practice was not at all involved in the management of the practice. My greatest regret is that I did not immediately remove my companion from the inhumane care at the hands of these olent, stultissimous ""vet-care merchants"", and at least bring her home to die in some comfort. That course of action, so obvious in retrospect, was not something CA&E management would suggest; it would have curtailed their billing by half. CA&E was at the time the only show in town for our companion birds. That is no longer the case, and I have found other, equally competent veterinary care -- from the same veterinarians who have since left CA&E. I certainly do not recommend the Center for Avian & Exotic Medicine, Other veterinary practices now have suitably experienced and qualified small-animal/avian/exotic veterinary staff and are as accessible as CA&E. Pros: the only full-service game in town Cons: may have outgrown its resources and capacity more

I had been to 2 other vets with my parakeet, and been told there was nothing they could do, before I found the Center. The initial doctor was so thorough, and had a whole plan for how to actually find out what was wrong with Kiwi. They were amazing, did some tests, and after a few days in the hospital, i was able to take him home. The staff was professional, and I can't say enough about what a great experience it was. I will certainly be back there, hopefully for a wellness checkup! If only human doctors were as compassionate and thorough as these great vets! Pros: The vets really know about birds- not cats and dogs! more