Chronic Renal Failure, Kidney Failure, Renal Knsufficiency, Renal Disease
Bird Diseases ... Bird Health Care
Renal dysfunction may result from any progressive destructive condition affecting both kidneys (chronic renal failure), but can also occur in any condition wherein the function of the kidneys is rapidly and severely, but often reversibly compromised (acute renal failure).
This is one of the more common problems in older birds. Increased water consumption and more urine in droppings can be an indication that the kidneys aren't functioning at optimal capacity.
The usual causes of renal failure in birds include:
- infectious diseases (viruses or other pathogens)
- toxins
- nutritional deficiencies or excesses
- and metabolic diseases.
Ingestion of certain plants and some food items (i.e. grapes) have been linked to renal failure. It is recommended not to feed more than one grape to a LARGE parrot a day. Less for smaller birds.
Because the kidneys are vital, life-sustaining organs, chronic kidney failure can compromise a bird's health greatly. When working properly, the kidneys filter waste products from the blood stream into the urine. A bird with poorly functioning kidneys may drink increased amounts of water and urinate more often -- in an attempt to flush out those waste products in its blood stream that the kidneys are no longer capable of eliminating into the urine. This can result in:
- Acute renal failure
- Normal kidney
- Chronic renal failure
Patients should be tested for toxic levels of heavy metals known to be associated with renal failure in birds, such as cadmium, lead and mercury. In addition, toxic or deficient levels of other heavy metals, including arsenic, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum and zinc should be considered and tested for. Microscopic renal lesions could be tied to an acute toxic etiology.
One should also look for evidence of acute intoxication by organophosphate, carbamate, or organochlorine pesticides.
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