Business Details
41 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Exotic Pet Veterinarian in Elmwood Park
Midwest Bird & Exotic Animal Hospital has been a trusted leader in exotic pet care since 1985, specializing in avian and exotic animal medicine. Our team of board-certified veterinarians and trained professionals provides comprehensive services including wellness exams, advanced diagnostics, soft tissue surgery, and emergency care for pets ranging from birds to reptiles. With a focus on compassionate treatment and cutting-edge medical practices, we serve clients across Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, and Iowa. Our hospital maintains federal accreditation for issuing domestic and international travel certificates, ensuring pets meet health requirements for relocation. We also operate a 24/7 emergency facility in Elmwood Park, offering critical care for dogs, cats, and exotic animals outside regular hours.Through our externship program, we mentor veterinary students and international professionals, reinforcing our commitment to advancing exotic animal medicine. Every service we provide reflects decades of experience, specialized expertise, and a deep understanding of the unique needs of non-traditional pets. Our reputation for reliability and excellence is built on consistent, transparent communication with pet owners and a dedication to improving animal health outcomes. Clients trust us for our proven track record in treating complex cases and our unwavering commitment to ethical, patient-centered care.
Services
Exotic Pet Care
Emergency Services
Dentistry
Vaccinations
Travel Certificates
Soft Tissue Surgery
Diagnostic Imaging
End of Life Care
Wellness Exams
Reptile Treatment
Details
- Year established: 1985
Highlights and features
- We specialize in exotic animal care with 40+ years of experience
- Our team includes ER-certified veterinarians and dental specialists
- 24/7 emergency services for exotic pets and traditional animals
- Federally accredited for issuing international pet travel certificates
- Advanced surgical capabilities for complex exotic pet cases
Associations and certifications
- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
What people say
Compassionate care
Skilled specialists
Successful treatments
24/7 availability
Knowledgeable staff
Services
Exotic Pet Care
We provide comprehensive medical treatment for non-traditional pets including birds, reptiles, and small mammals. Our services cover routine wellness exams, disease prevention, and specialized nutrition counseling. With dedicated expertise in exotic animal physiology, we address unique health concerns through advanced diagnostic techniques and tailored treatment plans.
Emergency Services
Our 24/7 emergency facility handles urgent medical situations for exotic pets, dogs, and cats. Trained ER veterinarians stabilize critical patients with trauma, poisoning, or acute illness. We offer immediate diagnostic imaging, surgical interventions, and intensive care monitoring while coordinating follow-up with primary veterinarians.
Travel Certificates
As USDA-accredited practitioners, we issue official health certificates for domestic and international pet travel. Our documentation ensures compliance with destination-specific quarantine regulations and vaccination requirements. We provide acclimation guidance and pre-travel health assessments to guarantee safe relocation for exotic animals.
Soft Tissue Surgery
We perform specialized surgical procedures on non-bony structures for exotic pets. Our capabilities include tumor removal, gastrointestinal interventions, and reproductive procedures. Using precision instruments and species-specific anesthetic protocols, we minimize recovery times while maintaining optimal surgical outcomes for delicate exotic patients.
Dentistry
Our dental services address beak trimming, tooth extraction, and oral infection treatment for exotic animals. We utilize micro-dental tools and magnification equipment to perform precise procedures on small mouths. Regular dental cleanings prevent systemic health issues while specialized diets are recommended to maintain oral health in exotic species.
People
Dr. Alia Habhab
Managing DVM
Dr. Habhab leads our veterinary team with expertise in exotic animal medicine. She oversees clinical operations and complex case management while mentoring veterinary students through our externship program. Her leadership ensures consistent delivery of high-quality care across all species.
Dr. Andrea Biancalana
Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Biancalana specializes in avian medicine and emergency care. She provides urgent treatment for critical patients and conducts wellness exams for exotic pets. Her clinical focus includes diagnostic imaging and pain management for small mammals and reptiles.
Dr. Piper Gwyn Gauthier
Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Gauthier focuses on surgical interventions and dental care for exotic animals. She performs soft tissue procedures and develops treatment plans for chronic conditions. Her research interests include avian nutrition and metabolic disease prevention in exotic species.
Dr. Nicole Lopez Vargas
ER Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Lopez Vargas specializes in emergency medicine for exotic and traditional pets. She manages trauma cases, toxic exposures, and acute illnesses during overnight hours. Her expertise includes critical care stabilization and life-support techniques for diverse animal species.
Sarah Senior
Lead Veterinary Nurse
Sarah coordinates our nursing staff and oversees patient care protocols. She assists in complex procedures, administers treatments, and educates pet owners on post-operative care. Her 15 years of experience ensure consistent nursing excellence across all exotic animal cases.
Questions
What exotic animals do you treat?
We care for birds, reptiles, small mammals (ferrets, rabbits, rodents), sugar gliders, and other non-traditional pets.
Do you offer emergency services?
Yes, our Elmwood Park facility provides 24/7 emergency care for exotic pets, dogs, and cats.
Can you issue international pet travel documents?
As USDA-accredited veterinarians, we provide official health certificates for domestic and international pet relocation.
What surgical capabilities do you have?
We perform soft tissue surgeries including tumor removal, gastrointestinal procedures, and reproductive operations on exotic animals.
Do you accept routine cat and dog appointments?
We specialize in exotic animals during regular hours but provide emergency care for cats and dogs after hours.
Reviews (5)
Diana Melendez
Jul 19, 2022
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Great service!!! I love the fact that they give you a lot of information about your animal and the vet was very informative
J. G.
Jun 05, 2022
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Thank you for seeing my cockatiel! I can tell the staff really loves what they do & everyone was great! The doctor was very informative and answered all my questions! I def felt comfortable leaving the care of my bird in their hands : My bird was completely at ease at the end of her exam & relaxed! Def recommend for all bird owners to bring their pets here when they need to. Also, FYI, parking was confusing. I parked two buildings down next to the restaurant. Wish it was more clearly labeled where to park once you are there or at least mentioned on their website.
Angela Hart
Jun 04, 2022
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We took our dog here for an emergency a few years ago and they were the sweetest to work with. They made a terrible situation so much better. But even more recently we brought our Rabbit here and once again they were amazing. I love that they break all the costs down before they do anything and don't make you feel bad if you can't spend the money on everything the suggest.
Kaylee Carrera
May 25, 2022
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My baby Coconut was sick and I immediately rushed him there after talking with staff on the phone, they were so kind and gave me lots of time to sit with him before and after he was put down. I wouldn't go anywhere else when it comes to taking my ratties to the vet. They were so helpful and immediately took him in once I arrived even though I was earlier than expected. I can't thank the staff enough for their help
Cupcake Castillo
May 14, 2022
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My rat had mass removals at her regular vets and was fine that evening yet the next a.m. Her lower hind leg incision had come open the next morning so we called midwest they got her in for an exam, yet kept her in overnight to help fix the incision the next day. We prepaid, as expected. The next morning they called to explain she handled the procedure well that they want to keep her again overnight, free of charge, to assure she did not get to the incision again. Well, we pick her up today, they try to tell us we owed HUNDREDS, we prepaid.
They said my rat got to her incision overnight. They ended up dropping it down to materials eventually. She had no cone, so who was watching her, as you asked to keep her overnight to prevent this. I feel completely lost. I will not reference others here.
They said my rat got to her incision overnight. They ended up dropping it down to materials eventually. She had no cone, so who was watching her, as you asked to keep her overnight to prevent this. I feel completely lost. I will not reference others here.
