HOUSE CALLS FOR PET BIRDS
Dr. McKinley has been providing veterinary care for pet birds for over 40 years and has been a Board-Certified Avian Specialist since 1994. He was the owner of the Amwell Bird Hospital in Hillsborough, NJ for 29 years, a 100% Avian Practice, and now is providing veterinary services in bird owners’ homes in the Naples, FL area.
A bird (and owner) will be less stressed by conducting a physical exam in the bird’s own environment, and many times, Dr. McKinley can recommend improvements with a bird’s cage and surroundings especially when psychological stress problems are suspected.
James McKinley, MS, DVM, DABVP-Avian
Dr. McKinley spent his childhood in the New Jersey shore town of Tinton Falls. At age five, his parents gave him “Taffy,” a mixed-breed puppy. His love for Taffy and desire to care for animals inspired him to become a veterinarian.
To fulfill his lifelong dream, Dr. McKinley received his bachelor’s degree in Biology from Rider College in 1974, then attended Rutgers University where his studies in the field of Animal Nutrition led to a Master’s degree in Animal Sciences in 1977. In 1981, he earned his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from the University of Parma, Italy.
Following graduation from veterinary school, Dr. McKinley spent a year in clinical training which included externships at the Philadelphia Zoo and with one of the most renowned avian veterinarians of the time, Dr. Robert Altman, (Franklin Square, NY). As a result of these experiences, Dr. McKinley acquired extensive knowledge in avian medicine and a love for working with birds and exotic animal species. During his first year as a veterinarian, he rescued and raised an orphaned cockatiel, “Alfalfa,” inspiring his already growing interest in avian medicine.
In 1987, Dr. McKinley opened the Amwell Bird Hospital, the first and only 100% avian hospital in New Jersey. In 1993, the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP) recognized avian medicine and surgery as its own specialty and in 1994, Dr. McKinley became the first Board-Certified Avian Specialist in the state and one of the first forty in the country. He has recertified for 3 additional 10 year periods in 2004, 2014, and 2024. His standing in the veterinary community, as well as his reputation for skill, knowledge, and care, bring referrals from both clients and other veterinarians.
In addition to practicing avian medicine, Dr. McKinley is an experienced aviculturist, having bred dozens of avian species for over 30 years including rare and endangered species such as the hyacinth macaw. By breeding, hatching, and hand feeding birds, Dr. McKinley has gained the ability to offer expert advice, education, and care regarding incubation, breeding, and pediatric issues encountered by aviculturists.
Dr. McKinley closed his bird hospital in 2016 and relocated back to the Jersey Shore for four years where he started an Avian Department at the Barnside Veterinary Hospital in Farmingdale, NJ. After Covid, Dr. McKinley relocated a few times and is now in Naples, Florida where he has started a house-call practice for birds called, “Dr. Jim’s Mobile Bird Clinic.”
Dr. McKinley’s other interests involve the underwater world, including scuba diving and cultivating corals as a saltwater aquarium hobbyist, passions which began in high school when he worked for the first pet shop in NJ to offer saltwater fish to hobbyists. Dr. McKinley is also a high school basketball official, a sport that has played an important part in his life. He is also an avid pickleball player.
Services
PHYSICAL EXAMS & ROUTINE CHECK-UPS
Every visit with Dr. McKinley starts with a physical exam. First-time visits also include a consultation designed to cover all facets of bird care including proper nutrition (and how to get birds to convert to healthy, formulated diets), understanding the 3 components of a bird’s dropping (which helps to determine when a bird is sick as well as being an aid with converting birds to a healthy diet), proper caging and environment, and recommended veterinary care.
Historically, as many as 90% of the sick birds Dr. McKinley has seen have been sick because of less-than-optimal diets so understanding proper nutrition is crucial.
If you suspect that your bird might need emergency medical assistance do not hesitate to reach out to Dr. McKinley!
LABORATORY TESTS
Many birds become ill because of simple bacterial and/or yeast infections in the intestinal tract (if having sloppy droppings) or in their sinuses (if suffering with a respiratory ailment); again, usually secondary to years of poor nutrition. These organisms can be easily isolated with a quick and simple Gram stain performed in your home.
Outside laboratories can be used for cultures (to confirm findings from the Gram stains and to find which antibiotics are the correct ones to use) and for blood tests including routine CBC and chemistries with electrophoresis (to help rule out various infectious processes), tests for specific viruses or other organisms, or for heavy metal toxicities.
PHONE CONSULTATIONS
Although house calls with physical exams and observation of the bird and it’s environment generally allow the most thorough diagnosis and treatment, there are times when phone consultations can be considered. Sometimes video calls can be helpful.
Please contact Dr. McKinley to see if a phone consultation might be appropriate.
GROOMING
Periodically, all birds need their nails trimmed. Dr. McKinley uses a Dremel to grind down nails which is preferred to clipping nails. The Dremel allows better shaping of the nail, eliminates bleeding that is common with clipping, and lengthens the time between needed nail grooming. Beaks can also be shaped if needed. Wing clipping is controversial but can be discussed.
HARRISON’S BIRD FOODS…the Pioneer in Avian Nutrition
The single most important thing you can do for your bird is to feed it right.
Harrison’s formulas were the first and remain the number one veterinary-recommended certified organic pet bird food Worldwide. Dr. Greg Harrison, the creator of Harrison’s Bird Foods, is a double board-certified avian specialist (retired) with over 40 + years of experience in bird care. He transformed his all-bird practice into an avian wellness clinic incorporating preventive medicine through precise, proper nutrition and this expertise was the forming foundation for all Harrison’s formulas. The formulas were created based on pet bird nutrition (not poultry like most other diets) and formulated by Dr. Harrison, other avian veterinarians, and avian nutritionists. The formulas are backed by over 40 years of successful feeding and breeding trials.
Dr. McKinley has been using Harrison’s Bird Foods for over 30 years, with birds in his former breeding facility and with most of his clients from his former practice, the Amwell Bird Hospital, during which time he was one of Dr. Harrison’s top three distributors.
Dr. McKinley will be happy to advise you as to which food would be best for your bird(s) as well as how to get your bird(s) to convert to it.
“Harrison’s Bird Foods are the highest quality foods the market for pet birds being made with all organic ingredients and meet the standards for human consumption.”
---Dr. McKinley
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