HARRISON'S BIRD DIETS

Thank you for choosing Harrison's Bird Diets. After more than a decade of development, we are proud to offer this fully-organic, thoroughly field-tested companion bird diet.

We know that bird owners want proper food for their pets, and it is well known that seeds - no matter how they are colored, mixed or pressed into shapes - are not a complete and nourishing diet for pet birds. Harrison's Bird Diets take the guesswork out of feeding - plus there is no mess from seed hulls.

The same rigid standards used to produce human organic health foods are used to create these bird diets. No pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, animal protein, artificial flavors, colors, preservatives or sweeteners are used, because none are needed. The production facility is certified, producing human quality food. Try the taste test - if it's not good enough for you, it's not good enough for your bird.

Available only through your veterinarian, you can feed Harrison's Bird Diets with confidence and ease. We are also certain that as your bird's body adjusts to these healthy ingredients, you will see a definite improvement in its appearance and perhaps even in its behavior.

Greg J. Harrison, DVM

President

HBD, Inc.

CONVERSION TIPS

Harrison's Bird Diets are usually eaten when they are first offered, but some birds may require coaxing, especially if they have been eating only seeds. Ask your avian veterinarian about the HBD "Trainer Bird" program, a proven method of making conversion easy for birds that need assistance.

As an alternative method, start by limiting regular type food (e.g. white millet for small birds, shelled sunflower seeds for large birds) to two feeding times of 15 minutes each, morning and evening, for three days (young birds require four meals a day). Then mix small amounts of Harrison's Bird Diets with the seed, gradually increasing the amount while reducing the seeds to zero.

CAUTION: If the following symptoms persist for over 24 hours, resume feeding the former diet and call your avian veterinarian: any change in the droppings, other than a color change to pale brown; the bird becomes "fluffed up" and sleepy or is constantly searching for food.

SUPPLEMENTS: Limit to yellow, meaty and/or dark green, leafy vegetables and fruits. Small birds: 1-2 tsp. per day; medium birds: 1-2 tbsp. per day; large birds: 3-4 tbsp. per day.

DO NOT supplement with vitamins, cuttlebone, oyster shells, pellets, egg, meat, cheese, nuts, sunflower, safflower or other seeds or other pet foods.

OWINGS MILLS ANIMAL & BIRD HOSPITAL

9623A REISTERSTOWN ROAD

OWINGS MILLS, MARYLAND 21117

(410) 363-0393

ERNEST SLOVON, D.V.M.

CHANGING YOUR BIRD TO A PELLETED FOOD

Pelleted foods are an easy way to provide your bird a well balanced diet. Treats, fresh vegetables and occasionally fruits may be fed, but should compromise no more than 25% of the total diet. Some birds switch the first day, others are slow to accept a new food.

We recommend Harrison’s Bird Diets (HBD), an organic bird diet, made without preservatives or the use of pesticides involved in it’s production. The diet must be refrigerated or frozen once it is opened and you must discard any uneaten portion in the birds dish after 24 hours. Pellets that have fallen to the bottom of the cage can be recycled if they are not soiled.

CONVERTING YOUR BIRD TO PELLETS

First you should try offering your bird his regular diet twice a day for 30 minutes. We are not restricting HOW MUCH food we are giving him, only WHEN he can eat it. This will make him hungry in the middle of the day at which time you can offer him pellets/mash and vegetables in the afternoon. If he starts to eat this, then begin weaning him over to the pelleted diet.
The method we use at the hospital involves making a “mush” out of the pellets and combining it with the birds’ regular seed diet. First we grind the pellets into a fine powder, and add some water to them to achieve a mushy consistency. This is added to the birds’ normal diet and mixed thoroughly so that when the bird eats he will develop a taste for the pellets. As the bird eats the mixture we slowly increase the percentage of mush and decrease the amount of seeds and ad whole dry pellets. During this time, we monitor the birds weight , number and consistency of stools, and attitude. We also take note of the actual consumption of the pellets, as there tends to be more wasted at the beginning. This process normally takes about 1-2 weeks. We encourage you to try this method at home, calling us for advice as needed. We will be happy to weigh your bird as often as needed at no charge. Simply call our office ahead of time to insure quick service. We usually add a small amount of mixed vegetables to the diet during the entire conversion process and continue to feed them on a regular basis. Remember this is a conversion process, not a starvation method. Your birds’ droppings will change in color from green (seed diet) to a brownish color (pelleted diet).

HOSPITAL CONVERSION

WE WILL GLADLY CONVERT YOUR BIRD TO HBD PELLETS IN THE HOSPITAL. THIS REQUIRES ABOUT A TWO-WEEK BOARDING STAY. We guarantee that the job gets done or there is no charge for the entire stay. If the process takes more than 2 weeks we will only charge you for the initial 2-week conversion. Ask us for details and pricing.

GOOD LUCK!!!

OWINGS MILL ANIMAL & BIRD HOSPITAL

DR ERNEST SLOVON

410-363-0393

PRE-OPERATIVE INFORMATION

The information that follows has been compiled in order offer the best veterinary services available today. At most veterinary facilities, if these procedures are available they are optional. We have chosen to make them available and allow you to choose the procedures and tests you are comfortable with.

It's important to understand that we want to do the best job possible. Whether you choose additional precautions or not we will do the best that we can within the perameters you select. We always respond to emergencies and provide any additional treatment that is necessary. We will then contact you as soon as possible.

If you have questions regarding the necessity of any test or procedure please feel free to ask us. In general I recommend doing all that we can to avoid problems and that is why we offer a 20% discount on providing all of the pre anesthetic and anesthetic options.

By conducting all of the pre-anesthetic and anesthetic options we are safeguarding against problems the best way we can. The level of sophistication available in veterinary medicine continues to expand and we strive to provide the best service.

OWINGS MILLS ANIMAL & BIRD HOSPITAL

PRE-OPERATIVE INFORMATION

Your pet is being scheduled to undergo anesthesia and a surgical procedure. Whenever an animal is put under an anesthetic there is obviously some risk associated with it. Our routine procedures have proven to be safe under normal circumstances however when abnormalities exist the risk is greater. The following information has been compiled to enlighten you as to the precautions that can be taken to help insure safe anesthesia.

PRE-SURGICAL BLOOD SCREEN

Pre-surgical bloodwork is used to identify problems that may exist such as anemia, infection, and liver and kidney problems. If any of these are present they could cause complications during or after the procedure. If abnormalities are identified the veterinarian may choose to take precautionary measures or postpone the procedure until the abnormalities have been corrected. A comprehensive pre-anesthetic profile is mandatory for all patients 5 years of age or older. A pre-operative mini-screen is recommended for animals under 5 years of age.

ISOFLURANE ANESTHESIA

Our routine inhalant anesthetic is now isoflurane. It has proven to be reliable and safe. It has a wide margin of safety allowing the anesthetist to change levels of anesthesia rapidly and in addition there is a quick and smooth recovery. Isoflurane is particularly important in all older and high risk patients and it's usage routinely has distinct advantages.

For feline spay and castration we use an injectable anesthetic called ketamine. It has a wide margin of saftey and ismetabolized through the kidneys. Its’ usage requires an overnight stay because recovery is often prolonged.

INTRAVENOUS CATHETER/FLUIDS

Having an IV catheter in place allows quick access to the bloodstream should any emergencies arise and also provides continuous perfusion of the circulation. We always recommend it's usage.

PRE-SURGICAL ECG

The electrocardiogram (ECG) is a device used to detect electrical abnormalities in the heart's function. The ECG measures electrical discharge and conduction pathways through the heart. These measurements are recorded and the veterinarian notes the amount and type of deflections the heart creates. The findings of any abnormalities may cause the doctor to treat any underlying disease processes and/or to delay the surgery until such time that the heart is operating more normally or efficiently.

In human medicine, an ECG, full blood chemistry panel and CBC are standard procedures whenever a person undergoes any surgical treatment whether it is under general or local anesthesia. These tests help reduce the risks associated with surgery and anesthesia. With your consent, we can lower the risks of veterinary surgery as well.

POST SURGICAL ANALGESIA

Post surgical analgesia (pain medication) has been shown to be beneficial during the immediate post surgery recovery period. On average, 1-2 injections would be required to minimize discomfort.

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The latest in technology has enabled us to run blood chemistries within minutes, and to perform the above procedures safely and accurately before anesthetic induction. At OWINGS MILLS ANIMAL & BIRD HOSPITAL, we are happy to have this technology available to offer to you, as well as safe anesthetic medications.

You will be given an opportunity to select which of these procedures you would like conducted prior to surgery. Please be advised there will be additional fees for each of the procedures discussed above.

Feel free to call our office if you have any questions, (410)363-0393.

OWINGS MILLS ANIMAL AND BIRD HOSPITAL

9623A REISTERSTOWN ROAD

OWINGS MILLS, MARYLAND 21117

410-363-0393

ERNEST A. SLOVON, D.V.M

OWINGS MILLS ANIMAL AND BIRD HOSPITAL ADOPTION PROGRAM

We are proud to announce the establishment of our puppy and kitten adoption program. It is chiefly aimed at providing good homes for abandoned young animals which have been examined and deemed healthy. They have been dewormed, checked for appropriate diseases, including those that are zoonotic, and been started on a vaccination program. We are doing everything we can to make sure the animals we adopt out are in good health.

When an owner accepts a pet for adoption, certain responsibilities are assumed. A vaccination program completed by the Owings Mills Animal & Bird Hospital must be continued, along with neutering or spaying, and a caring environment be provided. A minimal charge will be levied at adoption to cover some of our expenses.

To encourage clients to participate in the program we will be providing the remaining vaccinations at a 15% discount , spays and neuters at a 50% discount and declawing at a 20% discount. We will also provide continued care for the pet after the initial 6 months at a lifetime 10% discount off services.

When you accept a pet from our adoption program you are signing a contract which binds you to the terms indicated above which includes vaccinations and neutering or spaying.

The Owings Mills Animal And Bird Hospital will provide medical care for any illness that was deemed present at the time of adoption at our expense for a period of 30 days. This guarantee of health is for 30 days and no guarantee is made regarding the animals health or behavior after this period.

Signature of Owner _________________________Date______________

Witness________________________________________________________