Avian – Second Street Animal Hospital

2nd Street Animal Hospital

Your Bird Is Hiding How They Feel. We Know the Signs.

Birds evolved to mask illness — a parrot that looks fine today may have been struggling for weeks. Our avian veterinarian, Dr. Sharonda Meade, is one of the few board-certified bird specialists (ABVP-Avian) in greater Philadelphia. Annual wellness exams catch what you can’t see at home.

Who walks (or flies) through our door

Species We See

Parrots

Doves

Pigeons

Finches

Canaries

Budgies

Lovebirds

Conures

Cockatiels

Chickens

Ducks

Geese

Parrotlets

Mynahs

Your avian specialist

Dr. Sharonda Meade

DVM

UPenn Exotic Internship

PhD

ABVP (Avian Practice)

Dr. Meade holds a PhD in veterinary medical sciences, a DVM from the University of Pennsylvania, a specialty internship in Exotic Companion Animal Medicine and Surgery, and board certification in Avian Practice through the ABVP — one of the most rigorous credentials in exotic veterinary medicine. She’s one of the few in greater Philadelphia.

Frequently Asked

Avian FAQ

How often should my parrot see a vet?

Once a year for a healthy adult bird. We recommend annual bloodwork alongside the physical exam — birds can have significant internal disease with no outward signs. If you’ve recently adopted a new bird, a post-purchase exam within the first week is especially important.

My bird is pulling out feathers. What does that mean?

Feather destructive behavior has a wide range of causes — infections, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal changes, allergies, psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD), or behavioral and psychological stress. It almost always warrants a veterinary workup rather than a “wait and see” approach, because the underlying cause determines the treatment entirely.

Do you see backyard chickens?

Yes — we see chickens, ducks, geese, and turkeys. We handle wellness, egg binding, respiratory issues, and injuries. Flock health consultations are also available if you’re managing multiple birds and want a general health assessment or biosecurity review.

My bird hasn’t eaten today. Should I call?

Yes — one missed meal is worth a call for a bird. Unlike dogs and cats, birds have very fast metabolisms and can deteriorate quickly when they stop eating. If your bird has skipped a feeding and is also sitting fluffed on the cage floor, has discharge from the eyes or nares, or is breathing with effort — call us immediately.

Can you do a CT scan on a bird?

Our in-house CT scanner handles birds of varying sizes. Avian CT is especially useful for respiratory disease, abdominal masses, egg retention confirmation, and skeletal issues. It helps reduce the need for referrals and provides diagnostic answers in a single visit.

Preventive

Medical & Urgent

Diagnostics & Advanced