Avian Health Services-Jeanne Smith DVM

Dr. Smith is the best vet around. We’ve been her clients for over 15 years.

I’ve taken a couple of different chickens here for various issues –simple foot infection, to serious egg peritonitis. Dr Smith is really so knowledgeable and easy to talk to it is a relief to have found her. In all cases she quickly assessed the situation and administered the necessary procedure. When the situation was dire she was sensitive but direct, though she always did her utmost to save the bird first. She has been right on every time. Her Carmichael office is a bit utilitarian, but don’t let that turn you off. She is top-​notch and also reasonably priced enough to make the decision of bringing a chicken to a vet an easy one.

I’ve been taking my 24 year old while ringneck dove (peace dove) to avian specialist, vet Dr. Jeanne. She’s great and very reasonably priced. I’ve been to SF avian vets, UC Davis and Dr. Speer and Medical Center for Birds. I have to drive over 2 hours and it’s worth it to see Dr. Jeanne Smith. She gets back to me by email too. My local pet store in SF recommended her 3 years ago. I understand why a SF pet store would!

I am so grateful that Dr. Smith was recommended to me. She is the only vet that I have found who truly understands and cares about chickens. She spends time observing the hens behavior as well as doing a thorough physical exam. She explains everything she is doing as she does her examination and the reason why which is extremely reassuring. Our hen had multiple health issues, which Dr. Smith accurately diagnosed and supplied the necessary medications for. Before I knew of Dr. Smith, I had taken another hen to an avian vet in my area, for what turned out to be a simple infection which was corrected by 14 days of antibiotics. My bill was $ 600!!! due to all the unnecessary testing. Because of this experience I was very undecided on what to do when a new hen became ill. Thank heavens friends from Harvest Home Sanctuary mentioned Dr. Smith. She is a truly compassionate woman who is not only an expert on chickens, but keeps her costs for hen health care at a very reasonable rate in hopes that it will enable and encourage people to provide proper health care for these little birds. If I could give Dr. Smith 10 stars, I would. My hens and I cannot thank her enough

When my cockatiel fell ill last year i took her to UC Davis. The doctors there are amazing at what they do but have little control in anything other than treatment. I got a recomendation from the owner of Parrot Planet to see Jeanne Smith. Though the prognosis was the same I was able to get a second opinion from her and the peace of mind that i did everything i could for my bird without breaking the bank much more than it already was. Jeanne does most tests on the spot so you dont have to wait days for lab results to come back. Her medications are very reasonably priced. She tells you exactly what is going on and doesn’t give you false hope.

I am a San Francisco resident. yes, I maybe consider head over heels when it comes to taking care of my birds but this was so worth the drive. To all you bird lovers and caretakers, you should want the following:
Great care should include reasonable price, compassion for both animal and human and definitely an open educational dialogue. Sure convenience would be nice but it wasn’t much considered all the everyday memories, and fun I have had with my birds.
Bottom line is here is a vet who truly respect the personality of the animals (in my case, a $ 21 dollar parakeet) as well as the emotions of the owners and is able bring out the best result from both at a price that is fair. I enjoyed my experience so much I gave more than she had charged. Not only that, I drove back thinking how wonderful the trip was even though it was about a 140 mile round trip. Jeanne was reasonable, personable, a wealth of knowledge and patient. She is humble, and definitely approachable. I so wish she was in the city. Because God do we need a vet like Jeanne that is not into price gauging, and one that has compassion for the animals and human alike. A sign of a true healer. Thank you, Jeanne!