Avian & Exotic Clinic of Palm City - Palm City, Florida

Erin Fine

Dr April has been treating my two ferrets for about six months. We only met when I reached out to her office on a Friday night at 8 o'clock in a panic because my ferret collapsed while I was holding him. I was not currently a patient of hers, but I knew that she specializes in exotic animals and that my regular vet was closed. The office gave me her private cell phone number and she answered. When I explained to her the symptoms, she immediately was able to diagnose him with insulinoma over the phone and had me bring him in immediately. She stayed with us there until midnight running all the tests and creating plan of care including a medicinal regiment of which she created in-house so that I could take the prescriptions home and immediately begin treatment. She took the time to explain every facet of the disease and her reasoning behind his plan of care and answering all of my questions even as we're at her car at midnight. And he is doing great! Then my other ferret began being so howing signs of respiratory distress and Dr. April took the time to rule out multiple possible causes before diagnosing her with a rare case of heart worms, which have a high mortality rate and for which there is no approved treatment. Dr April was willing to collaborate with other experts in the field and created an experimental treatment plan. We are four months into a six month treatment and my little girl is doing ok. I am grateful for Dr April for going above and beyond and taking the time and research and think outside the box to try and save my ferret and for being available to respond to my texts at any time. And throughout my visits, I've seen her take care of all kinds of exotic animals and be in emergency surgery as late as midnight. It's clear that helping animals is her life, not just her job, and I would recommend her to anyone❤️

Art Berte

As our beautiful and loving parrots age unfortunately many begin having seizures! Seizures are bad these birds can pass within minutes of having a seizure. I moved to Port St Lucie and within a month of being there my 40 yr old African Grey had a seizure she was shaking and screaming feet both closed she almost passed! I immediately google searched and thank God I found Avian & Exotic Clinic. Dr April spent a minimum of 20 minutes with me on the phone patiently helping me to bring Sammy back! I drove directly to Dr April's office she and her staff prescribed a seizure medication for Sammy and honestly the seizures have stopped!!! 6 months now no seizures!!! Please anyone living in Florida/ South Florida listen to me seizures can kill our birds! As soon as they begin to seizure it will never stop till you get them medication. Without my Sammy 's medication she probably would have passed by now. Seizures are not a future death sentence anymore. Call this office they will help you!!! BTW. Older African Grey's are prone to seizures.

Jason Johnson

I was referred by my Aunt who has been a loyal customer for about 10 years. I went in and was going to establish myself as a new client. I met with the receptionist who was extremely professional and accommodating her name escapes me but she has really long dark hair.Anyway while filling out the client and pet info sheets I witnessed the extremely unprofessional berating of this poor receptionist up front. I assume it was the vet or owner of this establishment but needless To say but I felt terrible for this poor girl. I am professionally employed in martin county and have been in this area for several years And have dealt with difficult Clients and other people in the past and I Must say this was pathetic. In closing I must say I will be spreading the word about my experience and will urge all others to steer clear of this office . Please BEWARE!!!

Christian Murderous Toyz

I brought my angora rabbit in with a decreased appetite and he ended up having severe overgrown teeth. We are so thankful for Dr April and her staff keeping us updated throughout the surgery and for taking great care of him overnight. Even after he came home Dr April and the amazing staff called to check up on him and answer any additional questions we had about medicine and aftercare. Truly thankful too all at Avian & Exotic Clinic of Palm City.

Dena Murphy

Dr. April and staff are amazing! I have a Fennec Fox, and she had extensive ear damage due to a bite she got from her mom. The ear canal was completely shut and had to be opened surgically. Dr. April explained everything to me and was very up front with what was going to be involved and that multiple surgeries would be needed. I was kept up to date during every surgery on the progress that was being made. I read other reviews regarding Dr. April and how she communicates to her client's, but during one surgery Dr. April did have to call me and did sound "rushed" but she had my baby on her operating table, and I would rather her focus be on my fox and quickly explain decisions that needed to be made with regards to my fox's procedure. Her focus is her patient's, and I am so grateful she is in this area to care for all of my exotics. Her expertise is worth every penny she charges to care for my babies with her very capable hands. Thank you, Dr. April and staff, for all you do. My little girl is thriving today because of the care all of you provided during her time of need.

Carrie Gauthier

Outstanding. This was my first visit to a vet to see the very special cockatiels I inherited from my late father. Since they were such a big part of his life, these little girls mean the world to me. I am so relieved to report the level of care I received from Dr. April and her compassionate staff was beyond expectations. Dr. April is a phD and is of genius-level intelligence. Very similar to Dr. House, MD (of the TV show), she was able to instantly detect what the issues my birds were having were, and explain why they were having trouble. She expertly recommended I switch foods and perches and left no stone unturned, ensuring my girls who are up in age, are set up for a successful and healthy life; and under her expert care, I am certain these two will have an extended lifespan. Dr. April is an animal lover and speaks the language of her animals, she truly understands them, and she looks at root cause, rather than just treating symptoms. If your bird or exotic pet needs care and you will only accept the most compassionate, professional, and expert care, bring them to Dr. April. You will not be disappointed.

Jeremy Picard

BEWARE - DO NOT USE THIS VET!! TAKE ALL BAD REVIEWS SERIOUSLY!!!

Never written a negative review in my life, and this is proudly my first. Called and made an appointment to have the metal band removed from my macaws leg. Asked if this was a simple, quick, and cheap procedure and was told “yep I would imagine so” by the man on the phone and was given no other information.

Arrived 15 minutes prior to our appointment to fill out paper work. Waited for well over an hour before a woman (Dr. April) pulls infront of the building playing on her phone. The doctor we’ve been waiting on. We were then moved to a room before she came in.

The DOCTOR enters our room wearing both her heaphones trying to talk to us without any apologoy for being over an hour late. (We ended up being at the office for over 4 1/2 HOURS)

During the visit, I mentioned our macaw has been scratching around her head alot and her sinuses might be irritated and wanted it looked at. Our parrot was put through hell and stressed while she examined her in no timely manner at all. Dr. April had her assistant hold our parrot by the neck for an absurdly long time as she kept pausing to talk to us. All while terrorizing her yelling in her face “HI BIRD HI BIRD HI BIRD!!!”

Dr. April spoke extremely condescendingly to us because we didn’t want to have her microchipped that same day as she had already gone through enough stress. We simply said we’d make another appointment yet she kept making rude remarks like “Well since you’ve made it very clear you don’t want to do the microchip or any bloodwork, which I think is stupid, I wont even ask to do this or that” (WHICH WE NEVER EVEN SAID) “You better have cameras and a good security system if you’re not going to do the chip today because people will break into your house you’ll never see your bird again!!”

She took our parrot to do the band removal (which we were now regretting) and had us stay in the room to wait. All we could hear was her yelling and swearing at her staff, talking down to them, etc. They used giant bolt cutters to remove a tiny band from her insanely delicate leg and all we could hear in the other room is “AM I ON IT? CAN I SAFELY CUT IT SHUT UP AND LOOK WITH YOUR EYES! I NEED YOU TO LEAVE THE ROOM RIGHT NOW!” and all we could think was our parrot was about to have her leg mutilated. The entire experience was extremely unsettling and unprofessional.

They had us go back to the waiting room while she put together a bill. The assistants came out with a bill with a few highlighted tests/meds the vet wanted to do to treat the sinus infection I mentioned. That wasn’t the issue. The issue was the original $600+ BILL with hundreds of dollars of tests we never agreed to or were told about.
When I was handed the bill I was shocked and said how mad I was about it. I stepped outside to make some phone calls to see if any other friends with parrots had encountered problems with this vet before, along with checking reviews and sure enough I was one of many! The vet pulled us back into the office and couldn’t be more rude/condescending. I have NEVER been this furious at a business in my entire life. I was mislead, scammed, and belittled. She kept stating this has never happened before (which it has time and time again at this office just read the reviews or ask around!) Argued with me about each individual item on the bill making condescending comments and neurotically changing prices on the bill. She admitted fault in her staff not informing us about hundreds of $ worth of tests needing to be done as an initital exam BEFORE the band could be removed. She agreed to remove only $150 off the bill, I just wanted to pay it so we could get our parrot back safely and leave.

Finally the icing on the cake. It’s it’s been 10 days since the appointment. We’ve called every day. 0 test resuts, 0 prescriptions, 0 returned phone calls, NOTHING. She’s refusing to speak to us or provide us with any of the info she made us pay for. Spare your sanity, your pet, and your wallet and find another vet which I’ve now also had to do

Deborah Milbut

I have a Cockatiel aviary. In a few devastating days, my birds became profoundly ill. Dr. April was there for me from the onset. She communicated very honestly and compassionately the awful truth of what was happening, and promptly provided medicine. In addition, she was available to answer messages at any time, which truly only begins to demonstrate the dedication she has toward her creatures.
Very sadly, 2 of my little bird family passed on, but that was because I didn’t get them in sooner, I have no doubt. From the start, Dr. April was on it, and she put much effort and work into my situation, clearly trying to save my beloved birds. She made sure that when my second bird became ill, I was able to bring him right in. Without hesitation. Did I say dedicated? Indeed, and then some. She ensured that my birds received the care they needed, and she did so immediately.
Avian experts aren’t around every corner. They are few and far between . I am so happy I found Dr. April, and she will be my go-to vet for any issues with my Cockatiels.
I hope a happy future is still in store for my remaining birds, but no matter what happens, I am secure knowing I had the very best in veterinary care for them.
I drive an hour to bring my Cockatiels to Dr. April. That right there should tell it perfectly. Just go there. You will know your birds are in excellent hands. Thank you, Doc!