Board-Certified Exotic Animal Veterinarians: ABVP and Zoological Medicine Specialists
15 Verified Board Certified Veterinary Clinics Listed
Board certification means a veterinarian completed years of extra training or case experience in a field and passed a credentialing exam. For exotic pets, the main credentials in the United States are ABVP certification in Avian Practice, Reptile and Amphibian Practice, or Exotic Companion Mammal Practice, and diplomate status with the American or European College of Zoological Medicine. Membership in groups such as the Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV) or ARAV shows interest and continuing education, but it is not the same thing as board certification. The clinics below report at least one board-certified veterinarian on staff.
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Pricing & Partner Disclosure: Any veterinary cost figures or savings ranges referenced on Exotic Vets are independent, aggregated industry estimates for informational purposes only, are not provided by any individual veterinary clinic, and are subject to change without notice. Always contact the clinic directly for current fees.
All Animals Veterinary Hospital
Calabasas, CA
All Animals Veterinary Hospital
Calabasas, CA
All Animals Veterinary Hospital in Calabasas, CA (4.9/5 across 380 reviews) provides specialized exotic veterinary care for birds, reptiles, small mammals, farm animals, including comprehensive diagnostics, in-house laboratory, surgery and anesthesia.
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Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota - Oakdale
Oakdale, MN
Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota - Oakdale
Oakdale, MN
Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota - Oakdale in Oakdale, MN (4.8/5 across 520 reviews) provides specialized exotic veterinary care for small mammals, birds, reptiles, including CT scanning, MRI imaging, soft tissue surgery.
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Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital - Phoenix
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital - Phoenix
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital - Phoenix in Phoenix, AZ (4.8/5 across 850 reviews) provides specialized exotic veterinary care for birds, reptiles, small mammals, amphibians, including in-house laboratory, digital radiography (X-rays), soft tissue surgery.
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Avian & Exotic Animal Clinic
Indianapolis, IN
Avian & Exotic Animal Clinic
Indianapolis, IN
Avian & Exotic Animal Clinic in Indianapolis, IN (4.8/5 across 425 reviews) provides specialized exotic veterinary care for birds, reptiles, small mammals, amphibians, including in-house laboratory, digital radiography, soft tissue surgery.
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Bay Area Bird & Exotics Hospital
San Francisco, CA
Bay Area Bird & Exotics Hospital
San Francisco, CA
Bay Area Bird & Exotics Hospital in San Francisco, CA (4.8/5 across 450 reviews) provides specialized exotic veterinary care for birds, reptiles, small mammals, including digital radiography (X-rays), laboratory testing, soft tissue surgery.
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BluePearl Pet Hospital - Tacoma/Lakewood
Lakewood, WA
BluePearl Pet Hospital - Tacoma/Lakewood
Lakewood, WA
BluePearl Pet Hospital - Tacoma/Lakewood in Lakewood, WA (4.6/5 across 520 reviews) provides specialized exotic veterinary care for birds, reptiles, small mammals, amphibians, including advanced diagnostics, electrocardiography (ECG), soft tissue surgery.
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Center for Avian and Exotic Medicine
New York, NY
Center for Avian and Exotic Medicine
New York, NY
Center for Avian and Exotic Medicine in New York, NY (4.6/5 across 380 reviews) provides specialized exotic veterinary care for birds, reptiles, small mammals, amphibians, including advanced medical care, diagnostic imaging, advanced surgical care.
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Exotic Vet Care
Mt Pleasant, SC
Exotic Vet Care in Mt Pleasant, SC (4.9/5 across 520 reviews) provides specialized exotic veterinary care for birds, backyard poultry, small mammals, reptiles, including advanced imaging, digital radiography, anesthesia and surgery.
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Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital - Exotics Department
Norton, OH
Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital - Exotics Department
Norton, OH
Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital - Exotics Department in Norton, OH (4.9/5 across 380 reviews) provides specialized exotic veterinary care for birds, reptiles, small mammals, amphibians, including in-house laboratory, complete blood work, soft tissue surgery.
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Parrish Creek Veterinary Hospital & Diagnostic Center
Centerville, UT
Parrish Creek Veterinary Hospital & Diagnostic Center
Centerville, UT
Parrish Creek Veterinary Hospital & Diagnostic Center in Centerville, UT (4.9/5 across 467 reviews) provides specialized exotic veterinary care for birds, small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, including CT imaging (3D computed tomography), digital radiography, soft tissue surgery.
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Pet Hospital of Penasquitos
San Diego, CA
Pet Hospital of Penasquitos in San Diego, CA (4.9/5 across 520 reviews) provides specialized exotic veterinary care for reptiles, amphibians, birds, small mammals, including diagnostic imaging, digital radiography, soft tissue surgery.
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Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital
Nashville, TN
Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital
Nashville, TN
Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital in Nashville, TN (4.8/5 across 410 reviews) provides specialized exotic veterinary care for small mammals, birds, reptiles, including in-house laboratory services, digital general radiology, soft tissue surgery.
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South Texas Avian & Exotic Hospital
San Antonio, TX
South Texas Avian & Exotic Hospital
San Antonio, TX
South Texas Avian & Exotic Hospital in San Antonio, TX (4.9/5 across 320 reviews) provides specialized exotic veterinary care for birds, reptiles, small mammals, amphibians, including CT scanning, advanced imaging and diagnostics, advanced surgical procedures.
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UW Veterinary Care - Special Species Health Service
Madison, WI
UW Veterinary Care - Special Species Health Service
Madison, WI
UW Veterinary Care - Special Species Health Service in Madison, WI (4.8/5 across 350 reviews) provides specialized exotic veterinary care for birds, reptiles, small mammals, amphibians, including digital radiography (X-rays), ultrasound, soft tissue surgery.
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Veterinary Center for Birds & Exotics
Bedford Hills, NY
Veterinary Center for Birds & Exotics
Bedford Hills, NY
Veterinary Center for Birds & Exotics in Bedford Hills, NY (4.9/5 across 485 reviews) provides specialized exotic veterinary care for birds, reptiles, small mammals, amphibians, including digital x-rays, ultrasonography, surgery for birds, reptiles, and mammals.
View ProfileWhen to See a Board Certified Veterinarian
- check_circleA Diagnosis That Is Not Improving: If treatment has not helped after two or three visits, a specialist can review the records and suggest a different approach.
- check_circleComplex or Long-Term Disease: Kidney or liver disease, cancer, chronic respiratory infections, and seizure disorders benefit from specialist input on testing and treatment plans.
- check_circleAdvanced Imaging or Surgery: Referral hospitals with board-certified staff are more likely to offer CT, endoscopy, and complex soft tissue or orthopedic surgery for exotic patients.
- check_circleSecond Opinion Before a Major Decision: Before an expensive surgery or end-of-life decision, a specialist consult can confirm the diagnosis and options.
Red-Flag Symptoms Requiring Immediate Vet Care
- warningSymptoms that keep coming back after each course of medication ends.
- warningWeight loss that continues even though your pet is eating.
- warningAbnormal blood test results that your current vet is unsure how to interpret for the species.
- warningAny emergency signs such as open-mouth breathing, collapse, or bleeding. These need the nearest emergency clinic first and a specialist second.
Estimated Board Certified Veterinary Exam & Diagnostic Costs (Aggregated Industry Estimates)
| Procedure / Service (Estimated) | Estimated National Range (Aggregated, Not Clinic-Specific) | Clinical Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Specialist Consultation (Estimated) | $120 to $250 (Est.) | Aggregated national estimate; usually longer than a general exam and includes a records review |
| Full Blood Panel With Species Interpretation (Estimated) | $150 to $300 (Est.) | Aggregated national estimate; complete blood count and chemistry |
| Endoscopy (Estimated) | $500 to $1,500 (Est.) | Aggregated national estimate; used for biopsies and foreign body retrieval |
| CT Scan (Estimated) | $600 to $1,800 (Est.) | Aggregated national estimate; includes sedation in most cases |
Questions to Ask Before Booking Your Appointment
- Which veterinarian holds the board certification, in which specialty, and will that person see my pet?
- Do I need a referral from my regular vet, and can you request my pet's records directly?
- Will you send a written summary back to my regular veterinarian after the visit?
- Is the specialist available for follow-up by phone or telehealth if my pet needs ongoing care?
Frequently Asked Questions About Board Certified Veterinary Care
How can I verify that a veterinarian is board certified?
The American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP) and the American College of Zoological Medicine (ACZM) both publish directories of their certified members on their websites. Search by name or state. A certified veterinarian will list the credential as Diplomate ABVP (with the specialty) or Diplomate ACZM.
Is a board-certified exotic vet more expensive?
Often, yes. Based on independent, aggregated national estimates, a specialist consultation runs about $120 to $250 compared with $75 to $145 for a general exotic exam. For a complicated case, an accurate diagnosis can save money on repeated treatments that do not work.
Do I need a board-certified vet for routine care?
Not usually. An experienced exotic animal veterinarian can handle wellness exams, routine testing, and common illnesses. Board-certified specialists are most useful for difficult diagnoses, advanced surgery, and second opinions.