Avian Medical Center

Introduction / Overview

For bird owners across Oregon, particularly those in the greater Portland metropolitan area, finding a veterinary clinic with truly specialized expertise in avian medicine can be a challenging, yet crucial, endeavor. Unlike general small animal practices that primarily focus on dogs and cats, birds possess unique anatomies, physiologies, and medical needs that require specific knowledge and experience. The Avian Medical Center, located at 15952 Quarry Rd, Lake Oswego, OR 97035, stands as a rare and invaluable resource for the feathered companions of the Pacific Northwest. Established in 1984, it holds the distinction of being the only veterinary clinic exclusively for birds in Oregon, making it a pivotal establishment for dedicated bird enthusiasts.

The Avian Medical Center is renowned for its deep specialization and commitment to providing exceptional care for all types of birds, from parrots and finches to pigeons, chickens, and geese. Their team, led by Dr. Marli Lintner DVM, is composed of experienced and well-trained staff who are often bird owners themselves, bringing a firsthand understanding of the unique bond and concerns associated with avian pets. This specialized focus ensures that even uncommon conditions are diagnosed quickly and accurately, often saving lives, as highlighted by grateful clients. For Oregon locals, the Avian Medical Center represents a "breath of fresh air," offering a level of knowledge, kindness, and dedication specifically tailored to the unique veterinary needs of their cherished birds.

Location and Accessibility

The Avian Medical Center is conveniently located at 15952 Quarry Rd, Lake Oswego, OR 97035, USA. This address places the clinic in Lake Oswego, a prominent suburb just a short drive south of downtown Portland. Its location is highly accessible for bird owners throughout the greater Portland metropolitan area, including nearby communities like West Linn, Tigard, Milwaukie, Happy Valley, and even those further afield in the Willamette Valley and beyond.

Quarry Road provides straightforward access, and while it may not be on a main arterial road, its proximity to major routes facilitates travel from various directions. For pet owners with birds, who often require specialized transport or simply prefer a less stressful journey for their delicate companions, accessible parking and a relatively calm approach to the clinic can be beneficial. Given that it is the only avian-exclusive clinic in the state, pet owners from all corners of Oregon and even neighboring states may find themselves making the journey, underscoring the importance of its well-situated location. The clinic is open Monday through Friday, with specific appointment hours, and is closed for lunch daily from 12 PM to 1 PM, a detail important for planning visits.

Services Offered

The Avian Medical Center provides comprehensive veterinary care exclusively for birds, catering to their unique anatomical, physiological, and behavioral needs. Their specialized services include:

• Routine Wellness Examinations: Thorough physical examinations tailored to avian species, assessing overall health, feather condition, beak, feet, and general demeanor. These are crucial for early detection of subtle signs of illness that birds often hide.
• Diagnostic Testing:
  • In-house laboratory services for rapid and accurate blood work, fecal analysis, and other diagnostic tests specific to avian health.
  • Radiography (X-rays) for detailed imaging of skeletal structures and internal organs.
  • Additional diagnostic procedures as needed for accurate diagnosis of avian-specific conditions.
• Treatment Planning: Development of tailored treatment plans for a wide range of avian illnesses, injuries, and infectious diseases, including prescribing appropriate medications and therapies.
• Surgical Procedures: Performance of various surgical procedures specific to birds, which may include beak trims, wing clipping (done humanely), removal of tumors, foreign body removal, and other soft tissue surgeries.
• Preventive Care: Administering vaccinations where appropriate for avian species, providing nutritional advice, and guiding proper husbandry practices to prevent health issues and ensure long-term well-being.
• Emergency Care: Responding to avian emergencies during open appointment hours, including injuries, sudden illnesses, or acute distress, providing immediate supportive care.
• Behavioral Consultations: Assisting bird owners with behavioral issues, understanding species-specific behaviors, and providing strategies for enrichment and modification.
• Client Education: Comprehensive education for bird owners on proper care, species-specific nutritional requirements, housing, and general husbandry practices to enhance the health and longevity of their avian companions.
• Treatment for Uncommon Conditions: Expertise in diagnosing and managing less common conditions in birds, such as Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) in pigeons, as highlighted by client testimonials.

As a clinic exclusively for birds, their entire focus, equipment, and knowledge base are dedicated to the unique needs of avian patients, from the most common companion birds to more unusual poultry and non-psittacine species.

Features / Highlights

The Avian Medical Center in Lake Oswego boasts several outstanding features and highlights that make it a premier choice for bird owners in Oregon:

• Oregon's Only Exclusive Avian Clinic: Established in 1984, it is the sole veterinary clinic in Oregon dedicated exclusively to birds. This unparalleled specialization ensures that every aspect of the clinic, from equipment to staff training, is geared towards avian health.
• Highly Knowledgeable and Specialized Expertise: Clients consistently praise the vets and staff for being "incredibly knowledgeable" and having a deep understanding of avian medicine. This is crucial for bird species with unique physiologies, where general veterinary knowledge may fall short.
• Compassionate and Kind Care: Beyond their medical expertise, the team is noted for being "kind, thorough, and humble." They genuinely "love and care about birds," creating a reassuring environment for both the birds and their owners.
• Fair and Reasonable Pricing: Despite their specialized nature, the clinic is described as "extremely fairly priced," which is a significant advantage for owners of specialized pets, where care can often be perceived as more costly.
• Honest and Research-Oriented Approach: A key highlight is their willingness to "admit when there’s things they don’t know and need to research." This humility and commitment to continuous learning are highly valued by clients, particularly when dealing with uncommon conditions like EPI.
• Life-Saving Diagnoses for Rare Conditions: The clinic has a proven track record of diagnosing and effectively treating "uncommon condition" that other vets might miss, directly leading to pets' lives being "saved."
• Expertise with Non-Psittacine Birds: They are particularly recommended for owners of "non-psittacine" birds (like pigeons), a niche that very few general vets or even exotic vets are equipped to handle effectively.
• Prevents Harmful Prescriptions: Clients appreciate that the avian-specific knowledge means vets don't try to "prescribe my birds certain medications they tried to as they were toxic," ensuring safe and appropriate treatment.
• Experienced Staff with Personal Bird Ownership: Many staff members own birds themselves, providing a level of empathy and practical understanding that enhances the overall care experience.

These features collectively solidify Avian Medical Center as the definitive choice for avian veterinary care in Oregon.

Contact Information

Address: 15952 Quarry Rd, Lake Oswego, OR 97035, USA
Phone: (503) 635-5672
Mobile Phone: +1 503-635-5672

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For bird owners across Oregon, from the immediate Lake Oswego area to the broader Portland metropolitan region and beyond, the Avian Medical Center stands as the unequivocal and most suitable choice for their feathered companions' veterinary needs. Its unique specialization, combined with an outstanding reputation for expertise and compassionate care, makes it an invaluable resource that no general veterinary clinic can truly replicate.

The paramount reason for its suitability for locals is its exclusive focus on avian medicine. In a state where it is the *only* clinic dedicated solely to birds, this means that every aspect of their practice—from the veterinarians' deep knowledge, like Dr. Marli Lintner DVM, to the specialized equipment and the entire staff's training—is optimized for avian health. This level of specialization is critical because birds have vastly different physiologies and health concerns compared to dogs or cats, requiring a nuanced understanding that general vets often lack. For Oregonians with birds, this translates to accurate diagnoses, appropriate treatments, and ultimately, better health outcomes, even for rare conditions that might be missed elsewhere.

Furthermore, the Avian Medical Center is consistently praised for its compassionate approach. Clients highlight the staff's kindness, thoroughness, and genuine love for birds, creating a less stressful experience for often-fragile avian patients. The transparency and humility of admitting when further research is needed, as noted by a client whose pigeon with EPI had its life saved, builds immense trust. This ethical approach ensures that owners receive honest guidance and that their pets receive the most informed care possible.

The affordability, despite the highly specialized nature of the clinic, is another significant benefit. Being "extremely fairly priced" makes top-tier avian care accessible to more families in Oregon, dispelling the misconception that specialized care must be prohibitively expensive. This combination of unparalleled expertise and reasonable cost provides exceptional value.

In essence, for any Oregon local who considers their bird a cherished member of the family, the Avian Medical Center in Lake Oswego is not just a veterinary clinic; it's a dedicated sanctuary for avian health. It offers the peace of mind that comes from knowing your unique pet is in the hands of true specialists who are both highly skilled and genuinely caring. For comprehensive, expert, and compassionate avian veterinary care, there is no more suitable choice in the region.

Avian Medical Center

15952 Quarry Rd, Lake Oswego, OR 97035, USA