Equipping the avian practice.

The interest in avian medicine grows every year, and the degree of successful diagnosis and treatment in our avian patient has increased tremendously over the last 2 decades. For a veterinarian interested in avian practice there are many decisions to be made before one just accepts a patient. As outlined in this summary, there are many decisions to make regarding the level and diversity a practitioner wishes to explore (only exotics, poultry, ratites, Columbiforms, raptors, and so on) and then which equipment will be necessary to perform that level of practice. There is no master list of equipment that every avian practitioner must own. Needs must be catered to the species seen and the individual interest of the practitioner. Continuing education courses are now offered throughout the country on various aspects of avian medicine. The Association of Avian Veterinarians provides a journal, yearly conference, Web site, and a wide range of support materials. The author implores interested veterinarians to investigate these great learning experiences before casually deciding to add avian patients to a general companion animal practice.