Exotic Animal Formulary5

Table 6-19
Selected Nutritional Recommendations for Wild Bird Rehabilitation. 69
Waterfowl
• Offer domestic waterfowl, mallard ducks, and Canada geese cracked corn, scratch
grains, leafy greens, and nonmedicated waterfowl or poultry diet.
• Swans, particularly trumpeter swans, may refuse to eat for 3 or more days; place the
swan in an isolated area, with a slurry of food and fresh greens; do not disturb unless
absolutely necessary.
• Offer water in a dish or bucket deep enough to allow the bird to submerge its entire
neck before its bill touches the bottom of the container.
• Do not use galvanized metal containers because the zinc may leach into food and water.
• For ducklings, goslings, and cygnets, offer nonmedicated waterfowl or chick starter in
shallow dishes and scattered on the floor of the enclosure.
• Tiny pieces of bright fruit, like strawberries, or small, live mealworms may stimulate
self-feeding in a hospital setting.
Table 6-20
Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) Order Information. 6,7
• Note: A VFD is used for drugs given in the food or water of food animals that are given
exactly per label instructions in regard to dose, concentration, frequency, duration, and
so forth and is not for extra-label drug use. A VFD is valid up to 6 mo.
• For your convenience, a Veterinary Feed Directive Order fillable form and detailed
information can be found on the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Web site at
www.avma.org/KB/Resources/Pages/VFDInstructions.aspx. 7
• According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a valid VFD Order is
needed for any feed additive given to a food animal and must be associated with a Valid
Client Patient Relationship (VCPR), and it must contain the following: 6
○ Veterinarian information (name, address, phone) with signature
○ Client information (name, address, phone)
○ Name of the drug, drug concentration, indications for use, and duration of use
○ Dose, withdrawal time
○ Where animals are located (premises) and type (species) and number of animals
○ Date issued, expiration date, indication for use
○ Specified verbiage: “Use of feed containing this VFD drug in a manner other than as
directed on the labeling (extra-label use) is not permitted”
594