Client Education
The following are useful educational handouts which can be downloaded, printed and made available to your clients.
Adrenocortical disease in the ferret
Adrenocortical disease is a common endocrine disorder in middle-aged to older ferrets.
Aspergillosis
Aspergillosis may develop in any bird, but companion birds most frequently diagnosed with aspergillosis include…
Avian Influenza
Avian influenza or “Bird Flu” is a group of viral infections that occur naturally among birds. Some wild birds like…
Avian Polyomavirus
Avian polyomavirus is one of the most important viral diseases seen in the companion parrot.
Avian Polyomavirus
Avian polyomavirus (APV) is an important disease in psittacine birds. APV is of greatest concern in young birds…
Client handout donated by Dr. Eric Klaphake
Avian Reproductive Behavior
The onset of reproductive or “broody” behavior varies with the species.
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.
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…
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…
Chinchillas
The long-tailed chinchilla is native to the mountains and foothills of the Andes in South America. These rodents are known for their large ears and soft, luxurious fur…
Chronic Egg Laying
Chronic egg laying is the production of an excessive number of eggs or repeated clutches (or collections) of eggs. Chronic egg laying often occurs in the absence of a normal…
Cockatiel Concerns
The small, affectionate birds we call cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) have undergone extensive modification through their breeding in captivity. Color variations or mutations have increased in number over the years…
Client educational handout donated by Dr. Larry Nemetz
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. Client educational handout donated by Dr. Eric Klaphake
Converting Your Bird to a Healthy Diet
Conversion to a healthy diet will improve the health and feather quality of your pet bird. Before beginning a dietary conversion, your bird should be…
Egg Laying Problems
Reproductive problems are a common occurrence in many of the smaller avian species—particularly cockatiels, budgerigars (parakeets), lovebirds, finches, and canaries. A female can produce eggs without a male being present, but…
Client educational handout donated by Dr. Eric Klaphake
Feather Destructive Behavior
Feather destructive behavior represents a range of actions from excessive preening to feather plucking or feather picking to self-mutilation.
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…
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.
Guinea Pigs, Care of Pet
The guinea pig is a docile rodent native to South America. Guinea pigs are lively, lovable pets that require relatively easy care.
Hedgehogs
The African pygmy hedgehog, also known as the 4-toed or white-bellied hedgehog, originates from central Africa.
Holiday Hazards
The companion parrot is part of the family! When including our feathered friends in the holiday season we must keep them safe.
Household Dangers
There are a host of potential household dangers that may confront our winged companions…
Insulinoma in the Ferret
Insulinoma or pancreatic beta cell tumor is 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.
Litter Training the House Rabbit
Rabbits naturally choose one a few places (usually corners) to deposit their urine and most of their fecal balls. Therefore training a rabbit to urinate in a litter pan involves little more than…
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…
Mouse, Care of the Pet
Mice are good-natured, inquisitive creatures that make great, inexpensive, low-maintenance pets.
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…
Orphaned Wildlife: Baby Birds
This 4-page manuscript provides guidance on what to do when one finds a baby birds
Orphaned Wildlife: Baby Birds SHORT VERSION
This 2-page document provides guidance on what to do when one finds a baby bird.
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…
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 below…
Prairie Dogs
The free-ranging black-tailed prairie dog is a social rodent that lives in “towns”. Prairie dog towns consist of…
Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease
Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease is an important disease of psittacine birds or parrots. Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation out there on Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease, and there is also a lot of information that is still unknown. Client handout donated by Dr. Eric Klaphake.
Psittacosis in Birds & Humans
Psittacosis is an infectious disease of birds and people caused by Chlamydophila psittaci…
Rabbit Care
A good rabbit diet should be made up of good quality pellets, fresh hay, water, and fresh vegetables. Anything beyond this is a “treat” and should be given in limited quantities.
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.
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…
Sugar Glider, Care of the
Sugar gliders are small, nocturnal marsupials native to Australia and New Guinea.
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…
Toxic Plants
Toxic plants reported in small animals include Aloe vera, Amanita mushrooms, Amaryllis sp…
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…
Vitamin A
Vitamin A plays an important role in maintaining a healthy….
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is one of the most common deficiencies in pet bird medicine, especially in South American species like…
Client educational handout provided by Dr. Larry Nemetz.
Why Does My Rabbit..?
House Rabbit Behavior: Common 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…
