Avian Necropsy Form 1
Download this avian necropsy form, adapted from a form by the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Research Animal Resources Center.
Channel: Resources & Education
Avian History Form 5
Avian History Form from the University of Georgia at Athens College of Veterinary Medicine provided by Dr. Heather Barron.
Avian History Form 4
Avian History Form created by LafeberVet
Avian History Form 3
This two-page Avian History Form was shared by Thomas Tully, DVM, DABVP (Avian Practice) of Louisiana State University.
Avian History Form 2
This one-page Avian History Form was provided by Dr. Tom Tully of Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine.
Avian History Form 1
Download this avian history form, shared by Dr. Jörg Mayer from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine.
Why Does My Rabbit? House Rabbit Behavior
Why Does My Rabbit? Common house rabbit behavior questions answered.
In many instances, rabbits kept in hutches, pet stores, or laboratories do not receive enough stimulation or physical space to demonstrate their full behavioral repertoire. Owners of house rabbits know these are intelligent creatures with distinct personalities and a range of behaviors. In this educational handout, clients can review normal husbandry, age, and sex-related behavior as well as normal sounds and actions like chewing and digging. The challenges of multi-rabbit households are also discussed.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A plays an important role in maintaining a healthy….
Unsafe Foods For Birds
Better safe than sorry. Veterinary health professionals rely on a wide range of information because it is generally considered best to err on the side of caution. This client educational handout divides potential danger foods into three categories.
Training Basic Skills
Many parrots instinctively strive for a position of dominance within their flock (your household). Many of the behavioral problems that can arise from such a situation, may be prevented when…
Toxic Plants
Toxic plants reported in small animals include aloe vera, Amanita mushrooms, Amaryllis sp…
Teaching Bathing Skills
Many companion parrot species originate from tropical environments with high humidity in which they bathe often. Even parrots from arid environments enjoy and benefit from bathing. Bathing stimulates preening and is essential for normal feather health. In fact, inadequate bathing and low humidity have often been linked to feather picking. Use this client education handout to explore bird bathing methods as well as Do’s and Don’t’s to encourage the pet bird to bathe or shower.
Syringe Feeding Small Herbivores: Rabbits, Guinea Pigs and Chinchillas
This client education handout reviews the basics of this essential technique, from the indications for syringe feeding and the equipment needed to potential complications as well as step-by-step instructions.
Sugar Glider, Care of the
Sugar gliders are small, nocturnal marsupials native to Australia and New Guinea.
Signs of Illness in Your Bird
It is a natural instinct for parrots to hide signs of illness. In the wild, this skill serves them well, and in fact, may save their lives…
Savannah Monitor, Care of the Pet
The Savannah monitor is native to the savannahs of eastern and southern Africa.
Responsible Reptile & Amphibian Ownership: Know the Facts On Salmonellosis
“Simply having a reptile in the household increases the risk of Salmonella spp. infection”. Learn who is most at risk and what you can do to minimize your family’s risk of contracting disease.
Rat, Care of the Pet
Rats are clean, friendly, playful, and quiet, and of all the “pocket pets” they are considered uniquely responsive to their owners.
Psittacosis in Birds & Humans
Psittacosis is an infectious disease of birds and people caused by Chlamydia psittaci. This client education handout discusses types of birds commonly associated with human psittacosis, persons at risk as well as details of psittacosis in humans and birds and measures to prevent disease.
Prepare Your Home For Your New Baby Bird
This client education handout provides a checklist for the new bird owner that can be used to smooth the transition for a new baby bird in its new home.
Prairie Dogs
The free-ranging black-tailed prairie dog is a social rodent that lives in “towns”.
Plants and Branches for your Bird
Few studies have been conducted to determine which houseplants are toxic to birds, so all plants that contain known toxic chemicals have been excluded from the Safe Plant List
Parrot Toys & Toy Safety
Parrots are extremely intelligent creatures; and toys are one of the most important items we can purchase for our birds. Many avian behaviorists recommend four types of toys for pet birds. Download a PDF of this client education handout, or modify the DOCX version to best meet the needs of your veterinary hospital.
Orphaned Wildlife: Baby Birds Short Version
This 2-page document provides guidance on what to do when one finds a baby bird.
Orphaned Wildlife: Baby Birds
This 4-page manuscript provides guidance on what to do when one finds a baby bird.
Normal Parrot Behavior
Pet bird behavior is complex, and it is crucial that bird owners have a realistic understanding of what to expect from their pets…
Mouse, Care of the Pet
Mice are good-natured, inquisitive creatures that make great, inexpensive, low-maintenance pets.
Medicating Your Bird
Keeping your pet healthy is everyone’s goal. However if your bird becomes ill, effective treatment will require that medications are given at the right dose and frequency for the…
Litter Training the House Rabbit
Rabbits naturally choose one or a few places (usually corners) to deposit their urine and most of their fecal balls.
Insulinoma in the Ferret
This Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians client education handout provides a comprehensive overview of insulinoma, an abnormal growth of the pancreas that secretes excess amounts of insulin. Unfortunately, insulinoma is an extremely common disease of middle-aged to older ferrets in some nations. Client education is crucial for owners of affected ferrets. Teach owners to recognize signs of hypoglycemia and to prevent hypoglycemic episodes from occurring. Owners must also recognize situations that can precipitate a hypoglycemic crisis and take measures to minimize stressors whenever possible. Additional preventive measures are also explored.
Household Dangers
There are a host of potential household dangers that may confront our winged companions.
Holiday Hazards
When including feathered friends during the holiday season, bird owners must keep their pets safe. This client education handout explores potential holiday hazards for pet birds during the holiday season, from plants and cleaning agents to foods and stressors.
Hedgehogs
The African pygmy hedgehog, also known as the 4-toed or white-bellied hedgehog, originates from central Africa.
Care of the Pet Guinea Pig
Native to South America, the guinea pig is a lively, lovable rodent that requires relatively easy care. This client education handout reviews housing and diet recommendations as well as the basics of safe handling, enrichment, and grooming. Download the PDF version to distribute to veterinary clients or modify the Word document for your hospital’s needs.
Green Iguana, Care of the
The green or common iguana (Iguana iguana) is a tree-dwelling reptile native to the tropical and subtropical regions of central and South America and parts of Mexico. The iguana is a solitary creature
Forgaging Behavior in Companion Parrots: Behavioral & Environmental Enrichment
In the wild, parrots exhibit four main behaviors: social interaction, grooming, foraging, and sleeping. The vast majority of their days are spent foraging or searching for food.
Care of the Pet Ferret
Ferrets are playful, friendly animals that can make excellent pets for the right person. This client education handout reviews basic care of the pet ferret. Topics covered include natural history, diet, housing, behavior and handling, grooming, as well as proper preventive care.
Feeding Your Pet Bird a Healthy Diet
In their native habitat, some parrots like cockatiels, budgerigar parakeets, as well as many
cockatoos and macaws are seed-eaters. These birds are able to balance their diet because of the
large numbers of seeds eaten (over 60 types). Companion birds are often weaned onto all-seed
diets, but the number and type of seeds offered in captivity is insufficient to offer a balanced
nutrition. Commercial seed mixes lack the normal complement of nutrients including vitamins A,
D3, E and K, certain amino acids (the building blocks of protein), calcium, and other minerals.
Over time, seed diets lead to vitamin A deficiency, poor feather quality, and…
Feather Destructive Behavior
This client education handout presents a brief overview of feather destructive behavior, which represents a range of actions from excessive preening to feather plucking or feather picking to self-mutilation.
Corticosteroids
Dispense this client educational handout to owners of ferrets suffering from insulinoma or lymphoma and other patients on steroids.
Converting Your Bird to a Healthy Diet
Conversion to a healthy diet will improve the well-being of your pet bird. This client education handout first describes the evaluation by an avian veterinarian that your pet bird should undergo before beginning a dietary conversion. Several common techniques for converting the bird’s diet are then discussed. Download the PDF version of this client education handout, or modify the DOCX version for your veterinary hospital.
Chronic Egg Laying
This client education handout answers questions for the concerned pet bird owner: What is chronic egg laying? What species are most likely to suffer from chronic egg laying? Why are some birds more likely to be chronic egg layers, and what measures can be taken to minimize egg laying in the hen? What can your avian veterinarian do to help?
Chinchillas
The long-tailed chinchilla is native to the mountains and foothills of the Andes Mountains in South America. These rodents are known for their large ears and soft, luxurious fur. Chinchillas make charming pets, but they are naturally skittish and are not considered a good choice for small children because of their delicate bones and their hyperactive natures. Most pet chinchillas live 6-10 years.
This client education handout reviews basic husbandry recommendations, including diet, housing, dust bathing, exercise, as well as handling and behavior.
Cats Indoors
Every year, cats kill hundreds of millions of birds in the United States alone. Download the American Bird Conservancy PDF brochure that advises clients on the best way to protect birds and cats.
Caging the Companion Parrot
The ideal bird cage should be spacious and clean, with multiple perches and stimulating toys. Specific cage requirements will vary with the species and the amount of time your…
Blue-Tongued Skink, Care of the
The blue-tongued skink is a stocky, cylindrical lizard with small legs and a large head, known for its deep, vivid blue tongue…
Biting in Companion Birds
The parrot beak is not inherently a weapon. Instead it is a sensory organ used to touch and explore the world. Much of the exploration parrots do with their beak is not biting, however this exploration can get a little rough, or even…
Behavioral Modification Techniques in the Companion Parrot
There are a number of medical reasons for feather picking and a complete diagnostic evaluation of your bird’s health status is always recommended. The following techniques may be helpful, however, whether the underlying cause of the feather picking is behavioral or medical.
Bearded Dragons, Care of the Australian
Bearded dragons are omnivores that accept a wide variety of foods. Variety is the key to good nutrition and foods offered should include…
Bats and Rabies
A public health guide on bats and rabies by Bat Conservation International.
Avian Reproductive Behavior
This client education handout reviews some basic principles of reproductive behavior in the companion bird. When is puberty seen in popular pet birds? How do breeding pairs behave in the wild, and what does broody behavior look like in in the pet bird? What environmental cues promote avian reproductive behavior and what can be done to minimize reproductive behaviors in the pet bird?
Avian Polyomavirus
Avian polyomavirus is one of the most important viral diseases seen in the companion parrot. Avian polyomavirus or APV can cause serious financial losses for aviaries and pet stores as well as considerable heartache for owners. Use this client handout to review susceptible species, clinical disease, and of course prevention.
Avian Influenza
Use this client education handout to answer the following questions: What is bird flu? What are the signs of disease in birds? What are the signs of avian influenza in humans? And why are some strains of bird flu cause for international concern?
Avian influenza or “bird flu” is a group of viral infections that occur naturally among birds. Some wild birds like waterfowl can carry influenza viruses in their intestines, but usually do not get sick from them. Infected birds shed flu virus in saliva, nasal secretions, and feces. Other birds may be easily infected when they come into direct contact with secretions from infected birds or…
Avian Bornavirus Infection
This Association of Avian Veterinarians client education handout discusses avian bornavirus, which was experimentally confirmed to be the cause of proventricular dilatation disease or PDD in 2008. Avian bornavirus (ABV) infection is one of the most frustrating diseases encountered in avian medicine today. Since its initial recognition in the United States, ABV has been reported worldwide and infection poses a significant threat to the captive breeding of endangered psittacine (parrot) species. At least eight different psittacine bornaviruses have been identified in captive parrot populations worldwide, and researchers around the world are working on learning more about ABV infection.
Aspergillosis
Aspergillosis can develop in any bird, but companion birds most frequently diagnosed with aspergillosis include…
Are You the Right Pet For Me? House Rabbits
What you need to know before adopting a house rabbit.
Adrenal Disease in the Ferret
Adrenocortical disease is a common endocrine disorder in middle-aged to older ferrets. This Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians client education handout answers several questions for the ferret owner: What is the adrenal gland? What causes adrenocortical disease? What are the clinical signs of adrenal disease? How can adrenal disease be diagnosed and treated? And finally, why should I treat adrenal disease and what can be done to prevent this medical condition?
Online Resources: Herptile Medicine
A collection of online resources related to reptile and amphibian medicine. This list of links come from a variety of professional organizations and conservation websites.
2014 T.J. Lafeber Avian Practitioner of the Year
The T.J. Lafeber Avian Practitioner of the Year is nominated by their peers and selected by an independent Committee of AAV members.
Recommended References for Herptile Practice
Looking for a list of education resources on herptile medicine? Review this list of books and journals.
Reptile and Amphibian Equipment List
Are you prepared to see herptiles in your clinical practice? This equipment list, created by a veterinarian board-certified in reptiles and amphibians, provides recommendations for basic equipment needs as well as tools for advanced reptile care including amphibians and even crocodilians.
Foraging and Enrichment Webinar
Enrichment has become a common term when describing proper care of captive animals. The RACE-approved webinar recording explores the importance of enrichment and how its proper implementation can be highly variable between and within species. Multiple animal (avian and otherwise) video examples are used to highlight concepts of enrichment. Basic principles are highlighted with the end goal to get people to start thinking about ways to enrich the lives of captive animals, especially birds.
Fascinating Facts on Foraging and Enrichment
Foraging, the act of searching for and finding food, makes up a significant part of the wild parrot’s day. In the wild, most animals, including psittacine birds, spend a significant part of their daily activity on foraging. In fact, many free-ranging parrots regularly travel several miles between feeding sites in search of food. Once wild parrots arrive at a feeding site, a wide variety of foraging behaviors are observed including searching, manipulating, as well as consuming food. Depending on the species and the season, time invested on these behaviors can range from…
Egg Laying Problems
Reproductive problems are a common problem in many small pet bird species, particularly cockatiels, budgerigars parakeets, lovebirds, finches, and canaries. Use client education handout to briefly explain egg laying problems, from egg binding and egg yolk peritonitis to chronic egg laying to the companion parrot owner.
Vitamin A Client Handout
Techniques to introduce healthy foods are described in this client educational handout donated by Dr. Larry Nemetz. Vitamin A deficiency is one of the most common problems in pet bird medicine, especially in South American species like Amazon parrots, conures, and macaws. At least one vitamin A-rich food should be fed to your pet bird EVERY DAY. Remember, birds can discern color and texture, as well as taste, so changing the form and presentation of the food can make a big difference in acceptance of the new food. Be patient when it comes to new foods with your pet bird!
Feather Picking
Feather picking is the most frustrating behavioral condition in pet birds from both the veterinarian’s and the owner’s perspective. This client education handout, donated by Dr. Eric Klaphake, explains that feather picking is a symptom and not a particular disease. Potential causes of feather picking are summarized and possible veterinary tests and treatment recommendations are listed.
Cold Weather Tips for Exotic Animal Pets
While most exotic pets are housed indoors, there are still some key concepts to keep in mind when winter comes around. Donated by Dr. Eric Klaphake, this client education handout describes exotic pet housing, transport, and household hazards during cold weather months.
Avian Polyomavirus Client Handout
Avian polyomavirus infection is a disease in psittacine birds or parrots of greatest concern in chicks. This client handout briefly explains this important disease from signs and transmission to diagnostic testing and control or prevention.
Practical Communication: Tools for Your Practice
Veterinary medicine education and clinical management increasingly incorporates communication and relationship skills. Improving communication through understanding and applying emotional and social intelligence leads to greater job satisfaction, commitment, efficiency, management, and decreases stress, burnout, and client dissatisfaction. In this live, interactive, web-based course, Dr. Joyner reviewed the importance and application of communication and relationships.
Catheters in Reptiles
Fluid therapy is an important part of supportive care, and there are several routes available for fluid support in the reptile. Subcutaneous and/or oral fluids are appropriate for mild to moderate dehydration, while intracoelomic, intravenous, or intraosseous fluids are administered to critically ill reptiles or to patients with moderate to severe dehydration.
Procedure Equipment Checklists
Do you have everything? Shared by registered veterinary technician and veterinary technician specialist, Jill Murray of Oklahoma State University, review our collection of procedure equipment checklists. Checklists are used in clinical practice to make preparation for procedures more efficient and more consistent, thereby improving the quality of care. Use these equipment checklists to train students and staff, or simply to jog your memory for procedures performed only sporadically.
Administration of Medication in Reptiles
Reptile owners are routinely instructed on oral or intramuscular drug administration techniques for outpatient care. In many instances and in many species, parenteral injections are preferred over the oral route. Injectable medications can be delivered intramuscularly, subcutaneously, intracoelomically, intravenously, or…
Esophagostomy Tube Placement in the Ferret
Esophagostomy tube placement is an excellent choice for nutritional support of the debilitated small mammal patient requiring long-term feeding or for individuals that have suffered major orofacial trauma. Use this video clip or text with still images to review this important technique in the ferret.
Yearly Checkup: Promote Exotic Pet Annual Exams
Too many exotic pets miss their yearly checkups. This video clip promotes the importance of preventive health care for special species. Copy and paste the embed code for this video clip to your own hospital webpage. This free resource can be posted to most websites and most web browsers.
Epidural Anesthesia in Small Mammals
Are you using epidurals in your practice? The epidural is a neuroaxial technique that provides preemptive analgesia by injecting drug into the epidural space surrounding the spine. Epidurals can be used for abdominal surgery, perineal surgery, and orthopedic procedures involving the pelvic limb or spine. Some opioids can also travel cranially to provide supplemental analgesia for chest and thoracic limb procedures. Epidurals serve as an adjunct to systemic analgesia, and epidural analgesia also reduces the amount of anesthetic drug needed. Epidurals can also shorten recovery time.
Intravenous Catheter Placement in Small Mammals
Intravenous catheters are commonly placed in ferrets and rabbits to administer fluids and medications, induce anesthesia, and for delivery of analgesic drugs during and after surgery. Intravenous catheters are also placed with growing frequency in chinchillas, guinea pigs and other small exotic companion mammals. Use this video clip or text with still images to review patient selection, potential complications, equipment needed and step-by-step instructions for this technique, as well as daily fluid requirements, catheter maintenance, and patient monitoring.
Macaw ID Slideshow: Photos & Fast Facts
Which macaw is that? Use LafeberVet’s Macaw ID Slideshow for a review of species commonly seen in captivity.
What makes a parrot a macaw? Macaws possess very large beaks in proportion to the head with a fairly wide lower beak or gnathotheca in most species. Most macaws also have a bare facial patch with varying degrees of…
Nasogastric Tube Placement in the Rabbit
Nasogastric tube placement in the rabbit is an excellent choice for the weak, dehydrated patient that requires enteral nutritional support. Use of a nasogastric tube can be less stressful and more successful than syringe feeding. Nasogastric intubation is also indicated in rabbits that will undergo surgery involving the oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, or biliary tract. Use this video clip or text with still images to review contraindications and potential complications, equipment needed as well as the technique involved.
Blood Collection in Ferrets
All but the weakest ferrets can be challenging to restrain for blood collection. Consider sedation or general anesthesia, particularly if the handler or phlebotomist is relatively inexperienced; however remember that anesthesia can affect ferret hematology.
Use this video clip or article with still images to review equipment needed, and potential venipuncture sites including the jugular vein, cranial vena cava, lateral saphenous vein, and cephalic vein.
Case Study Survey Radiographs: 5y Cockatoo With Open-Mouth Breathing, Poor Grip
Interpretations of radiographs from the article Veterinary Answers Case Study: 5-Year-Old Cockatoo With Open-Mouth Breathing and Poor Grip.
Veterinary Answers Case Study: 5-Year-Old Cockatoo With Open-Mouth Breathing and Poor Grip
This case study is based on a report prepared by Veterinary Answers Consultant, Gwen Flinchum, DVM, Dipl. ABVP (Avian). A 5-year old female umbrella cockatoo is presented for lethargy, open-mouthed breathing, and difficulty gripping of 2-3 days duration.
Rabbit Physical Examination Form
Form donated by Dr. Tom Tully of Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine. Download Rabbit Physical Exam Form.
Avian Neurologic Exam Form 2
Created by LafeberVet – Download Neurologic Exam Form 2 PDF
Pocket Pet Physical Examination Form
Form donated by Dr. Tom Tully of Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine. Download Pocket Pet Physical Exam Form.
Reptile Physical Examination Form
Donated by Dr. Tom Tully of Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, use this reptile physical examination form to document evaluation of the reptile patient.
Rabbit History Form
Form donated by Dr. Tom Tully of Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine. Download Rabbit History Form.
Ferret History Form
History and physical examination forms donated by Dr. Tom Tully of Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine. Download Ferret History Form PDF.
Oral Examination in Rabbits and Rodents
Evaluation of the oral cavity is considered an essential part of the complete physical examination in small exotic companion mammals, both symptomatic and clinically normal individuals alike. Use this video clip or article with still images to review equipment needed as well chemical and manual restraint techniques for extraoral and intraoral exams.
Nutritional Assessment Form
Developed by LafeberVet to evaluate dietary history and much more – Download this client questionnaire.
Lafeber in the Field: Stick-A-Roos at Zoo Atlanta
Lafeber Company’s work isn’t always tied to our family farm and production facility. Lafeber Company has worked with Atlanta Zoo veterinarian, Dr. Samuel Rivera, to create Stick-A-Roos (Stickaroos), a diet designed for use in interactive parakeet and cockatiel aviaries. Stick-A-Roos provide maintenance nutrition and foraging enrichment.