Avian Nutritional Deficiencies

AVIAN NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCIES

Overview

A diet consisting primarily of seeds or human foods is not likely to provide all the necessary protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals necessary for a healthy bird.

Different deficiencies may have different clinical signs associated with them.

Common deficiencies in pet birds include: protein, calcium, vitamin A, vitamin D, and iodine.

Signs

Birds with improper nutrition may be obese or too thin, have poor feather quality, and may be prone to respiratory infection.

Birds with vitamin A deficiency may have swollen, painful and inflamed eyes, and may show labored breathing.

Females with calcium deficiency are more prone to be egg bound and may lay eggs with abnormal looking shell.

Growing birds with calcium, phosphorous, or vitamin D deficiency may have abnormal growth, deformed limbs, or brittle bones.

African Gray parrots on a calcium deficient diet may present with severe weakness, tremors, or even generalized convulsions. These signs warrant urgent care by a veterinarian.

Budgerigars are susceptible to iodine deficiency causing swelling of the thyroid gland. This swelling may create partial blockage of airways and warrants urgent care.

Causes

Seed-only diet for pet birds.

An unbalanced home-prepared diet comprised primarily of human foods.

Hand feeding orphaned/injured wild birds with an inappropriate diet.

Treatment

Appropriate Health Care

Seizures, egg binding, and respiratory difficulty need to be addressed immediately by a veterinarian. Urgent care may include oxygen supplementation, seizure control medication, fluids and general supportive care. Injectable or oral supplementation of vitamins and minerals may also be considered. Long term modification of the diet is paramount for correction and prevention of nutritionally associated disease.

Diet

Good quality formulated pelleted commercial diets have been designed to provide your bird a balanced nutrition.

Medications

While a healthy diet is paramount for prevention and treatment of nutritional imbalances, temporary supplementation of vitamins and minerals may be recommended by your veterinarian. These may include:

Vitamin A

Calcium

Iodine

Multivitamin complex

Expected Course and Prognosis

In many cases nutritional deficiencies may be corrected with an appropriate diet, vitamin and mineral supplementation as needed and other supportive care such as antimicrobial medications. Anatomic changes such as narrowed nostrils or skeletal deformities are usually permanent.

References:

Graham, J. (2016) Blackwell’s Five-Minute Veterinary Consult: Avian.