Liver Disease / Fatty Liver
Bird Diseases or Bird Health Care
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Liver Disease:
Liver disease is a slow, on-going progressive disease where the liver tissue is replaced with fat. When the liver disease has progressed, the bird may suddenly appear ill.
Females appear to be more affected than males; this may be linked to the hormonal activities in the reproductive hen. Also juvenile birds may be diagnosed with this disease. This usually happens in hand-feeding birds that are either continuously overfed or hand-fed long after they should have been weaned. Handfeeding formulas are calorie-dense and baby birds tend to be sedentary. Any extra calories tend to end up being stored as fat in the liver. This most often is seen in cockatoos as they tend to beg even after satiated.
Symptoms:
- The enlarged liver may cause breathing difficulties as the organ compromises the body cavity space.
- The bird's abdomen may appear distended, and sometimes the liver is actually visible below the keel.
- The bird may develop diarrhea, and the droppings may take on a more greenish hue due to biliverdin being excreted.
- Poor feather quality and in cockatiels, for example, the white feathers may take on a more yellowish color (doesn't happen in white-faced cockatiels though).
- In some birds, soft areas around the beak occur. Birds may develop overgrown beaks and claws.
- End-stage liver disease: toxins build up in the bloodstream, resulting in central nervous systems signs, such as disorientation or seizures
- Bleeding clotting problems may occur. A simple broken blood feather may result in prolonged, life-threatening bleeding
Supporting a Healthy Liver through Nutrition & Healthy Lifestyle:
- Diet: Your avian vet is likely to recommend changes to your pet's diet.
- It is important to change the diet to one that is low in fat and with reduced protein content - and preferably organic.
- Click here for information on organic foods -- a listing of the most and the least contaminated food items, as well as handling tips.
- High-quality pellets that are low in fat and perhaps lower in protein are an excellent base diet for birds
For birds that don't accept pellets, sprouted seeds are an excellent option. The process of sprouting uses the fat stored in the seed to start the growing process. So sprouted seeds are lower in fat. Also, the texture is more vegetable-like, which may encourage a bird to begin eating veggies.- Do not feed peanuts or food items that could contain mycotoxins, which could further damage the liver.
- It is important to change the diet to one that is low in fat and with reduced protein content - and preferably organic.
- Nutritional supplements that support liver function are:
- It is suspected that there is a correlation between vitamin deficiency and the development of fatty liver disease; and nutritional support is essential for the treatment. It is recommended that the following Vitamins are supplemented:
- Choline, biotin and methionine. Biotin and choline (B vitamins). Foods that are high in choline are egg yolks, brewers yeast, legumes, and whole grain cereals. Sources of biotin are nuts, fruits, brewers yeast, and brown rice.
- Methionine (an amino acid that is essential in transporting fats from cells) - can be found in: eggs, fish, meat and milk. However, do not offer any anything containing lactose, as birds cannot digest this sugar. However, lactose is almost entirely removed in the process of manufacturing of many cheese products, yogurt or cottage cheese, making those items generally safe for consumption by birds. Discuss the diet with your vet.
Milk thistle is very good support for a damaged liver. Your avian vet will decide if this is an appropriate therapeutic for your bird. Make sure that any milk thistle supplement does not contain ethyl alcohol as a base, as that can potentially intoxicate a small bird and alcohol can also further damage the liver.- Dimethylglycine (DMG) - an antioxidant - is also a good supplement for birds with liver damage.
- The following supplements will help with detoxifying your birds:
- Aloe Detox (available at your local health food store or at this website.) Birds with advanced liver disease that have been given only weeks to live by the vet turned completely around after daily administration of Aloe Detox by the owner. A holistic vet recommended "as much of Aloe Detox" as the owner could get the parrot to drink. In that case, it was 1/2 oz three times a day (it was a larger parrot) - dilution: one part Aloe Detox to three parts water. (Owner used filtered / distilled water). After three weeks, the parrot's blood work was completely normal and the parrot lived many years afterwards. If a pet doesn't want to drink it, soaking a pet's favorite "birdie bread", whole grain toast, or favorite treat might be a good way to administer it. A vet recommended not to give Aloe Detox for extended periods - only when detoxifcation is needed; no longer than 3 weeks. If administered in drinking water, some birds who might not like the taste, may stop drinking! Make sure your pet stays sufficiently hydrated. Discuss a treatment program that is right for your pet with your holistic vet..
- Herbs that are conducive to maintaining liver health and even reversing existing liver problems are: Aloe, Milk Thistle, Psillium Husk Powder, Dandelions and others.
- In many cases there are secondary infections along with the liver disease, and the vet will (or should) ensure that any medications are not toxic to the liver. Many medications are removed or changed by the liver, so the vet may adjust dosages accordingly.
- Exercise: When dealing with a sedentary bird, exercises will need to begin slowly and progress gradually in intensity. Wing-flapping exercises, ladder-climbing and walking are safe; however, the bird should be monitored closely to ensure that he or she is not becoming over-exerted at any time.
Many disease-causing organisms / toxins are transmitted via air and water. If you suspect a disease problem (or if you would like to prevent one), please investigate the possibility of filtering your air and purifying / treating your birds' drinking water.
Natural Antibiotics / Herbal Anti-inflammatories - Strengthening Your Immunesystem Naturally (human applications - discuss with your holistic vet)
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