Services

Owner Consultation

$ Rates Vary

For owners and animal care providers. Dr. Byrd offers virtual consultations Monday through Saturday. Scroll to learn more.

Use BYRD10 to get 10% off your virtual visit!

Basic Species Husbandry Review

$150

For zoos, exotic animal associations, and other animal care providers. This applies to species with established husbandry guidelines. Scroll to learn more. 

Advanced Species Husbandry Review

$4,000

For zoos, exotic animal associations, and other animal care providers. This is for species whose husbandry is still not understood or pose a significant risk to human health. Scroll to learn more.

Pre-Vet Advising

$ Free Initial Consultation

Dr. Byrd is committed to supporting the next generation of veterinarians. Initial consultations are free, prolonged support may require a fee. Scroll to learn more. 

Virtual Consultation

Speak with Dr. Byrd from the comfort of your home. Virtual visits are great opportunities to discuss

• Pet health questions 
• Emergency preparedness 
• If a pet needs a vet visit
• If a treatment is safe and effective
• Hospice and pain management
• Nutrition and supplements
• Quarantine reccomendations
• More!

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Professional Consultation

Dr. Byrd collaborates with other professionals to help with

• Safe handling of exotics
• Exotic pet diagnoses and treatments 
• Research questions: e.g. what medications are available for bunnies with arthritis? How do you anesthetize a turtle?
• More!

Rates vary based on the complexity of the request.

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Included in Husbandry Reviews

Social

Discussion on whether animal should be housed individually or with a group and sex recommendations of the group. 

Environment

Includes recommendations for habitat size, substrate, temperature, humidity, and ventilation/aeration

Nutrition

Main diet, supplement, vitamin, snack, and treat recommendations and frequency of feeding. Includes tips for identifying nutritional deficiencies and toxicities.  

Water

Water quality parameters, water volume offered (i.e. misting, teas, pools) and recommendations for management.

Enrichment

Includes information on common species behavior and options for improving welfare (climbing, digging, hunting, grooming, etc.)

Disease

How to monitor health in your species, how to avoid common diseases, and which screening tests can help protect your pet. 

Basic Species Husbandry Review

Basic Husbandry Reviews are reserved for species with established husbandry practices that have demonstrably promoted the welfare of that species. The following species are eligible for the Basic Husbandry Review.

Mammals: Alpaca, Chinchilla, Cow, Degu, Domestic Cat, Dog, Ferret, Guinea Pig, Hamster, Hedgehog, Mouse, Pig, Rabbit, Rat, Sheep, Sugar Glider

Birds: African grey, Cockatiel, Cockatoo, Conure, Chicken, Dove, Duck, Eclectus, Lovebird, Parakeet, Lorikeet, Canary, Finch

Reptiles: Ball Python, Bearded Dragon, Box turtle, Leopard Gecko, Iguana, Panther Chameleon, Red Eared Slider, Russian Tortoise, Tegu

Amphibians: 
Argentine Horned Frog, Dart Frog, Red Eyed Tree Frog, White’s Tree Frog

Fish: 
Beta, Gold Fish, Koi, Neon Tetra, Zebrafish

Invertebrates: Currently, no invertebrates are listed for basic species husbandry reviews

Unlisted species may be eligible for a Basic Husbandry Review pending approval by Dr. Byrd.

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Advanced Species Husbandry Review

Advanced Husbandry Reviews are reserved for species whose husbandry needs are elusive OR for animals that pose a significant risk to human health and safety.

Advanced Husbandry Reviews generally take 4-12 weeks to complete. They often require extrapolation from similar animals and include intensive interviews with the care provider to ensure that both the human and the animal will be safe at the proposed residence.

Reviews may begin with or result in a recommendation that the human select a different animal that better matches the needs and resources of the caregiver.

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Pre-Vet Advising

Dr. Byrd’s Admissions Background

Dr. Byrd began evaluating applications for competitive programs in 2014 when she was asked to interview incoming freshmen at the University of Missouri for the George C. Brooks Scholarship. She continued that work for two years and wrote her first article advising other students on how to get into veterinary school in 2016.

While in veterinary school, she was hired by the Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine Admissions Committee to report on the admissions practices of veterinary schools, medical schools, and dental schools in the United States.

In 2023 she began teaching graduate students in the University of Illinois Master of Veterinary Science and Certificate in Veterinary Science programs. Beyond instructing students in anatomy and physiology, she dedicates much of her time to helping students strategically approach their future endeavors.

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Memberships

Dr. Byrd is a member of the following professional organizations.