I brought in my Lovebird for an annual check up. The vet, Dr, Marcucci, was rather abrupt in handing the bird. Rather than asking me to hand the bird to her she turned off the lights and tossed a towel on him. She proceeded to take blood from my bird's neck ( this can be done by clicking a nail and using a smear) I saw immediately that she was taking too much blood and said so. She said "No, it's fine." At this point her assistant said " He has stopped breathing." They rushed out of the room with my bird and when she came back she said "He's dead, sometimes these things happen." I was in shock! She killed my bird before my eyes. Not even an "I'm sorry." I reported all of this and met with the owner. No on ever held her responsible. I would not go there if my own life depended on it.

Dr. Marcucci saw my parakeet, did some routine bloodwork, and then took over 10 days to provide results. A routine lab would have reported same in 24 hours. I found her rather condescending and not particularly good with people skills. She seemed more interested in selling me pellet food than in learning about the particular bird I had. (I explained that I had repeatedly and unsuccessfully attempted to switch the bird to pellets and that she would not eat them). She also wanted to run a lot of expensive tests because the initial battery of tests had found nothing.

I was unconvinced that the tests would be necessary or helpful, and did not see the utility in subjecting the bird to additional stress. She seemed perfectly healthy after the visit. The waiting room was rather cold for a tropical bird and I was concerned about my parakeet having to spend time in such a chilly space while waiting for the appointment. I did not go back, even though it's the only avian vet in the Bay area. Too bad, as there is a real need for such services in the area. I might try Dr. Dustin, but I'd avoid giving Marcucci repeat business.

They're nice to our lizards, but their expertise is birds.  The place is clean, but I get the feeling that they need to overcharge everybody just to stay in business.