Her passion for avian medicine and the health of birds is easily observed in her commitment to her specialty.
“A lot of vets are scared of seeing birds because when birds display illness, they're already quite fragile, and we often have to diagnose quickly,” Dr Rowe said.
She said early signs of illness in birds included eating less, loose stools, the bird puffing up its feathers and vocalising or singing less, but some illnesses could be prevented.
“The number one reason I see parrots is malnutrition,” Dr Rowe said.
“Parrots can survive on bird seed alone, but it's high in fat, and low in vitamins and minerals— it's basically McDonald's for birds.”
She encouraged owners to feed their birds vegetables to prevent common health problems, and to have regular appointments with a veterinarian.
Dr Rowe is training to be an avian medicine specialist vet, with two-and-a-half years left in her training at Melbourne Bird Vet.
“Around 95 per cent of the veterinary medicine university course was cats and dogs,” Dr Rowe said.
“Most bird speciality is learnt either on the job or in post-university training.”
Dr Rowe graduated from Melbourne University with Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine three-and-a-half years ago.
After completing two to three days a week at the Melbourne Bird Vet, Dr Rowe travels to Echuca every fortnight to work at the Echuca and Moama Veterinary Clinic on High St.
“Melbourne Bird Vet specialises in 100 per cent birds, and I still wanted to do a mix of cats and dogs,” she said.
Dr Rowe is available for avian consultations every second Thursday by appointment only at Echuca and Moama Veterinary Clinic.
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