Re: ? Hepatic lipidosis in African Ring Necked Parrot

Helen Redfern — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 15:57:50 GMT

The parrot has been moved to an indoor environment and clinically looks a lot healthier. With regard to Harrison bird food which one would be recommended to change him across from his sunflower seed parrot mix.

Many thanks

Helen

Re: ? Hepatic lipidosis in African Ring Necked Parrot

Helen Redfern — Fri, 22 Aug 2014 12:20:59 GMT

Hi Mark

Many thanks for that.

Helen

Re: ? Hepatic lipidosis in African Ring Necked Parrot

Mark Naguib — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 17:22:36 GMT

Hi Helen,

Unfortunately the clinical signs you describe are common to many conditions in birds. If the urate component of the droppings have become green, then a hepatopathy is likely present but this could be due to a number of things including infections such as Chlamydophila psittaci, aspergillosis, neoplasia or indeed hepatic lipidosis.

The diet does sound poor and will certainly be contributing to this parrots ill health even if it isn't a hepatic lipidosis. Sunflower seed based diets are notoriously high in fat, low in calcium, low in vitamin A and depending on the source and storage, a source of Aspergillus sp. Before correcting diet, you need to get a diagnosis (or as close to one as possible). Following a good history and clinical examination, including coelomic palpation, I'd start off with bloods, radiographs (lateral and VD, make sure legs and wings are out) and testing for Chlamydophila psittaci on bloods and a faecal sample (pooled for 3 days ideally and prior to any antibiotics). Bear in mind, C. psittaci is infectious and zoonotic and this will have implications for treatment, especially in an animal shelter.

That should rule in/out a number of conditions and give you a better idea of where to go with treatment or further diagnostics. Definitive diagnosis of hepatic problems will require a biopsy (We usually do these endoscopically, although I find it quite tricky in birds of this size compared to larger bodied parrots). Some birds may not be fit enough for biopsy and many clients will not go for this - often treatment based on the bloods/xrays/Chlamydophila tests will be the course of action to take, particularly in smaller birds.

We treat a lot of liver disease in birds (and other species) using silymarin (milk thistle), as well as supportive care and feeding and treating the underlying cause if possible. There is a lack of published evidence for its efficacy but it has been used extensively in birds for many years. Dietary improvement can be started once the bird becomes a bit more stable.

Hope that was of some help!

Mark

Re: ? Hepatic lipidosis in African Ring Necked Parrot

Mark Hedberg — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 17:02:58 GMT

Hypovitaminosis A is much more likely than hepatic lipidosis in birds; they eat the sunflower seeds to the exclusion of all else and these nutritional deficiencies render them extremely vulnerable to secondary infection. Strongly suggest vitamin A supplementation, a warm environment, and obviously diet change. If infection is present, best to treat that as well.