LYNNWOOD — Dr. Jennifer Graham is about as rare as the animals she treats.
The Lynnwood-based exotic pet veterinarian is one of less than 100 board-certified avian pet specialists in the nation, and only three in the state, meaning she can handle just about any bird you put in front of her.
"Birds of a feather flock together," said Dr. Bob Featherston, chief medical officer for Pet’s Choice, a chain of veterinary clinics that runs the Animal Emergency and Referral Center in Lynnwood, where Graham has worked since September.
Graham, 28, brought her specialty to Lynnwood after finishing a three-year residency at the University of California at Davis, and serving a couple one-year residencies at other major universities.
But her treatment doesn’t end with rare birds. She has to be ready for anything, from a ferret to an iguana, and just about anything in between.
"We had an axolotl come in," she said, referring to a salamanderlike amphibian with gills that lives under water. "It ate a bunch of rocks, and basically packed itself full of rocks.
"That’s been the most interesting thing here so far."
Featherston said the clinic was looking for an exotic pet specialist, as the need became greater. As more people move into apartments, they’re turning to smaller pets, such as ferrets, hamsters or birds.
"People who live where they don’t have a backyard are going to other animals. Birds are one of those in a growth pattern," he said. "People get attached to their birds, just like they get attached to other companion pets available for people to associate with."
In addition to treating exotic pets for emergencies, Graham wants to provide regular care, just as pet owners would have for dogs and cats.
"They should be brought in for regular checks," she said. "They’re very good at hiding signs of illness — especially birds, because if they showed they were ill, especially in the wild, they could get eaten."
Also, because many exotic pets are so rare, it’s important for owners to know how to care for them. There is a lot of misinformation about caring for rare pets, even from stores that sell them, Graham said.
"Certain products being sold can cause harm, or even kill an exotic pet," she said. "We can help owners avoid problems with their pet."
Birds, for example, shouldn’t live on an exclusively seed diet, she said. Such a diet can result in malnourishment and premature death.
Most of Graham’s patients, however, will come from referrals from regular veterinarians who might find themselves at a loss for how to treat certain pets.
Graham, from Huntsville, Ala., found her interest early on in veterinary school, when she worked with birds of prey, including eagles, hawks and owls. When she found there weren’t many specialists in that area, she decided to pursue it.
"It’s always been something I’ve been interested in, because it’s not the same thing over and over," she said. "You never know what’s going to walk through the door next. It’s exciting every day."
And she certainly is excited. Featherston, a general practitioner, focusing mostly on dogs and cats, said Graham impressed him right away. As part of the interview, every candidate was required to make a presentation relating to treating exotic pets.
"Hers was on dentistry in rabbits, and I can tell you, there’s not much that sounds less interesting to me than that," he said. "But she even got me excited about dentistry in rabbits. That’s a reach, I’ll tell you."
Reporter Victor Balta: 425-339-3455 or vbalta@heraldnet.com.
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