How to Find a Veterinarian for Emus

Raising emus is a fairly low maintenance type of farming. Emus don't require as much care as other livestock, but, like domesticated animals of all kinds, veterinarian care is important for keeping the animals' vaccinations up to date and for maintaining their general health.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Note that not all veterinarians are trained to care for birds and other exotic animals. Most veterinarian medical students are required to only take courses that cover caring for typical domestic animals, such as dogs, cats and cattle. Most vet schools may offer avian or exotic animal care courses as electives only, and some schools don't offer them at all.
2. Know that it's not easy to find a veterinarian for emus. Most veterinarians who know avian medicine had to learn it beyond or outside of their basic medical training.
3. Ask around. Find out from other farmers and other veterinarians which doctors specialize in avian medicine. Make sure you get advice from reliable sources, as some animal breeders and store owners use unscrupulous methods and rely on dishonest veterinarians to sell sick birds.
4. Check also with avian organizations, such as the "AVV" (see Resources below), to find a veterinarian for emus. Many avian veterinarians don't just care for birds but may also care for other types of exotic animals like reptiles.
5. Find out what certifications and continuing education courses veterinarians have completed in avian medicine to find a veterinarian for emus. Consider what experience level each veterinarian has and what percentage of their practice is focused on birds, especially avian livestock, such as emus.
6. Locate a veterinarian for your emus who is reliable, well-qualified and trustworthy. Read as much as you can on emu illnesses and immunizations. Learn all you can, too, about sustaining emu health on your own so that you'll know what to expect from a vet and can ask important questions.