Parrot Liver and Kidney Diseases

Liver Diseases in Parrots

It is more common in Amazon parrots, cockatiels and budgerigars. Infectious diseases, lubrication, poisoning, tumors, circulatory disorders and excessive mineral rich diet are the most common causes. It gives clinical findings such as bloating in the abdomen, difficulty in breathing, loss of appetite, weight loss, increase in the amount of urine, and loss of fluid. In the weak and young birds, the liver becomes palpable. Laboratory tests are helpful in diagnosis. On x-ray, a growth in the shadow of the liver is detected. The liver can also be evaluated with ultrasound. The causative agent is eliminated and supportive treatment is given.

Kidney Diseases in Parrots

Many diseases affect the kidneys. Tumor, high blood calcium and vitamin D levels, heavy metal poisoning such as lead and zinc, salty foods, some antibiotics, gout and diabetes, fatty liver, low or high blood sugar, all kinds of blockages and all kinds of infectious diseases, direct or indirectly affects the kidneys. Symptoms such as loss of appetite, weight loss, diarrhea, organ enlargement, swelling and fluid accumulation in the abdomen, drinking a lot of water and urinating profusely are observed. If the picture progresses to acute renal failure, the amount of urine excreted decreases or disappears completely. Diagnosis is made by examination, clinical signs, blood, urine analysis, x-ray and ultrasound examinations. Due to the decrease in excretion, the amount of uric acid in the blood increases. If necessary, a kidney biopsy can be performed. In treatment, fluid balance should be established urgently. Room temperature is set. Tube feeding is started. Appropriate antibiotics that are not harmful to the kidney are given. The diet to be given should be protein-poor, salt-free, and a special formula with calorie content, fat and carbohydrate ratios adjusted.

Increased Urine Amount and Uric Acid Color Changes in Parrots

It is abnormal for uric acid, which is normally chalky to white, to be red, yellow, brown or green in color. In parrots, it is mostly caused by infections, liver disease, lead poisoning or eating colored foods. The drugs used also change the color of uric acid. B vitamins, in particular, turn the color yellow. It may also be yellow or green in color as a result of the breakdown of the formed elements of the blood or in liver diseases. Brown uric acid occurs in people who are fed with foods containing excessive amounts of protein and lead poisoning. Uric acid is red in color if there is blood in the urine. In addition, red color is seen in digestive system and reproductive system disorders. Foods such as cherries, strawberries and sour cherries also dye uric acid red. If it depends on nutrition, these foods will improve. In case of illness, cause-oriented treatment is carried out.