|
Veterinarian Dr. Don Harris checks
a toucan housed in his new boarding facility.
|
Veterinarian Dr. Don J. Harris, whose Pinecrest office
is an important source of care for owners of birds and exotic pets,
recently opened a state-of-the-art boarding facility that allows pet
owners to leave their feathered friends and animals in a safe,
suitable environment.
"We basically built the 'Embassy Suites' for
birds and exotics," said Harris. "Every animal has its own
brand-new, self-contained unit."
 Today, there are a very few pet stores that offer
boarding for this type of animal and Harris says he is unaware of any
other veterinarians who offer this type of boarding service,
particularly one for birds.
"We understand the special needs of these animals," he said,
"and it became increasingly clear that there was a scarcity of
facilities that could take care of them [avian and exotics], the way
there are facilities to care for other animals."
Harris pointed out that having a veterinarian near by
means a much higher standard of care can be afforded to pets.
"We can pay close attention to the animals,"
he said, "monitoring their food intake, droppings and their
weight. Occasionally signs of illness will arise from a stressful
situation like boarding, and what better place to respond to those
needs than a vet's office."
Just two weeks ago, Harris went on to say, he admitted
a bird that was left with a friend while the owner was away on
vacation. The bird suffered from anxiety at the owner's absence and
the friend didn't recognize the signs. As a result, the bird did not
immediately receive the treatment it needed.
There are strict disease control measures in place at
the custom-built new facility that will ensure that a pet returns to
its owner just as healthy as when it was left with Avian and Exotic.
And, Harris says he will not accept baby animals or birds, which he
says are more susceptible to illness.
"There is a potential for disease transmittal
whenever you put a number of animals in one place," Harris said.
"But, we've taken several steps to minimize that risk. First, we
only allow regular clients to board here and their pet must have had
at least one annual, up-to-date check-up with us before we'll take it.
Secondly, we have self-contained units made of impervious materials,
including cleaning trays and grills, where viruses and bacteria can't
hide. Finally, animals being treated by the office are kept in a
separate facility, apart from the healthy boarders."
The office even maintains a special climate controlled
room for animals that require a certain degree of incubation,
particularly reptiles.
Harris's associate, Dr. William Chavez, does much of
the work on exotics and is especially skilled in work with reptiles.
Harris has worked in Miami for four years and has been a veterinarian
for 20 years. He has gained international stature for the
groundbreaking work he has performed.
"I've pioneered some techniques for birds, such
as endoscopy, for instance," he said. "I was one of the
first veterinarians to perform arthroscopic surgery on birds and I get
invited to speak everywhere because of that. Recently, I was asked to
be a spokesperson on behalf of avian practitioners at a conference on
pet bird insurance."
Since the avian field is his primary area of interest
and expertise, Harris does a great deal of work for Parrot Jungle.
However, he also is respected for his efforts with marine mammals and
he works with the Miami Seaquarium, handling the majority of the
marine facility's manatees problems.
To learn more about the boarding facilities or to make
reservations -- Harris recommends at least a two-week notice -- stop
by Avian and Exotic Animal Medical Center, 12125 S. Dixie Highway, or
call 305-234-2473.
|
