Do you have a sick chicken? Are you in need of an avian vet in Nashville to take a look at your chicken?
I’ve put together a list of all the veterinary practices and animal hospitals that offer bird care services I was able to find in Nashville, TX.
Avian vets specialize in the care of birds. General vets may be able to help, but you’re better off finding a specialist if you have one locally.
Table of Contents
List of Avian Vets in Nashville, TN
| Name | Location | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avian and Exotics Center of Nashville | 3806 Old Hickory Blvd, TN 37138 | 615-360-0944 | avianandexotics.com |
| Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital | 2445 Morris Gentry Blvd, TN 37013 | 615-361-4646 | priestlakevet.com |
Avian and Exotics Center of Nashville
Address - 3806 Old Hickory Blvd, TN 37138
Phone - 615-360-0944
Contact - Contact page
Website - avianandexotics.com
Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital
Address - 2445 Morris Gentry Blvd, TN 37013
Phone - 615-361-4646
Contact - Contact page
Website - priestlakevet.com
What Do Avian Vets Do?
The reason why there are specialist avian vets is that birds are very different from cats, dogs, and other common household pets.
That doesn’t mean some animal hospitals will not see your chicken, they might. Some will advise you to find an avian specialist, however, I’ve experienced that myself firsthand.
You might see avian specialists categorized as either poultry or “companion” vets. This means they either typically work with chickens and other poultry, or household pets like parrots and songbirds.
In my experience, either will see a chicken though. Don’t be put off calling if you see a business listed as an exotic or companion bird veterinary practice.
In regard to qualifications, all vets must have graduated with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM).
You may also see the letters, AAV or ABVP. These demonstrate a vet is a member of the Association of Avian Veterinarians and/or the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners
Avian vets can help in regards to any bird-related healthcare concerns. This means identifying and treating illness, drawing blood, performing surgeries, whatever it takes to get your bird back to health.
If you think you have a sick chicken, or just want to know you have a vet nearby in case of an emergency, I recommend finding a local avian vet.
Signs a Chicken Is Sick
Like most animals, chickens aren’t going to tell you when they’re sick. It’s up to use as backyard chicken owners to spot the signs and symptoms that one or more of our flock is sick.
Some of the common signs and symptoms that a chicken is sick includes:
Lethargic behavior - Signs that a chicken is not as active as they usually are is a sign they’re not feeling well. You know your chicks well, if they’re laying or sitting instead of socializing and foraging, take a closer look.
Pale comb/wattle - A chicken’s comb and wattle is a good indication of their general health. If their comb and/or wattle is more pale than normal or showing signs of damage, they might be dealing with some health issues.
Diarrhea or vomiting - Diarrhea and vomiting is always a sign that something is up. More often than not, it’s nothing serious. But if it doesn’t pass, it may mean there is a more serious underlying problem.
Not eating or drinking - A chicken that is not eating or drinking enough is cause for concern. Their health will deteriorate quickly if you don’t get to the root of why they aren’t eating and/or drinking.
Not laying eggs - Not laying eggs is not always a sign that a chicken is sick. It might simply come down to the number of hours of daylight, their breed, or some other things. It’s worth investigating, however, as it may be an indication that they’re sick.
What To Do if You Have a Sick Chicken
If you think or know you have a sick chicken, the first thing you should do is separate them from the rest of the flock.
There are two reasons for doing this; the first is that chickens tend to pick on those they see as weak. The other is that they may spread any illness or disease they have.
Try and find a large dog crate if you don’t have space outdoors. The important thing is that you isolate them so you can monitor their health and how much they’re eating.
It’s a good idea to call an avian vet at this point and ask for their advice. If you don’t think it’s serious, they may not need to see them. Their advice is invaluable though, especially if you’re not experienced with caring for a sick bird.
Did You Find an Avian Vet Near You?
You now know what role avian vets play, why it’s important you find out if you have one local to you, and why or when you might need to call one.
I hope you were able to find one near you. There were not a lot of avian vets in Nashville that I was able to verify at the time of writing this, but the businesses I listed had some awesome feedback.
Related articles; check out avian vets in Houston, TX, and San Diego, CA.
Disclaimer -These were veterinary practices offering avian services at the time of publishing. I cannot be held responsible for any changes in services, personnel, or otherwise in the meantime. If you spot any inaccurate information, please contact me and I will verify and change it. Many thanks.
Image credits – Photo by Joey Csunyo on Unsplash
