Liver Diseases in Birds

The liver is an important organ that is involved with digesting food, storing and filtering the blood, and with many other metabolic functions. Because it has so many functions, a healthy liver is extremely important. Unfortunately, both acute and chronic liver disease is very common in birds.

There are many causes of liver problems. Liver problems can be caused by bacterial, fungal, viral, protozoan and parasitic infections. Other causes of liver disease include tumors, metabolic disorders, circulatory disturbances, nutritional deficiencies or excesses and toxic insults such as mycotoxins (toxins from moulds), plant toxins and chemicals.

Proper nutrition is of utmost importance for both man and animal, however there is a special significance for pet birds due to their rapid metabolic rate. Because of their increased nutritional needs, birds manifest signs of malnutrition quickly and many times with devastating results.

Causes of Liver Disease in Birds

Malnutrition is the most frequently diagnosed disease condition in birds and many other diseases that are diagnosed actually may have developed due to a poor level of nutrition, providing lowered resistance to disease-causing organisms.

It is not that bird owners knowingly undernourished their pets, rather they were unfamiliar with the means of providing a balanced diet. Quite often we see birds that are “seed junkies” eating only one particular type of seed to the exclusion of all else. This leads to the development of medical problems and potentially premature death. The only way to insure a good long life for your pet bird is to provide a balanced diet, such as pelleted food, and if a seedeater, proper supplementation.

Obesity with the resultant fatty liver disease is one of the most common nutritional diseases that we see in birds, particularly in parakeets and cockatiels. This is due to the high fat seed diet that they normally consume.

Diagnosis of Liver Disease in Birds

Traditionally, birds have been provided with seeds and water as their main diet. This is woefully inadequate. Perhaps it was convenient to feed dried seed, however, in the wild birds eat a more varied diet, eating dried seeds only in a time of hardship. Seed is high in fat (leading to obesity and binding to calcium — leading to lowered blood calcium) and seed is low in vitamin A (proper levels of vitamin A help to provide resistance to disease).

If the fat content of the diet is too high, the fat accumulates in the bloodstream and is deposited throughout the body, especially in the liver, as well as resulting in the development of fat deposits/obesity. The fat slowly infiltrates into the liver over time so that there is less and less functional liver tissue left until normal body metabolism is disrupted and the bird is subject to secondary disease(s). The bird may even be unable to withstand simple stress and sudden death can occur.

As this fat accumulates, it forms fat deposits on the chest and abdomen so that the bird has a pronounced/distended chest or belly. Due to the excessive weight the bird may be unable to fly or tires easily. Fat accumulation may also occur around the heart, interfering with normal function.

What are the Signs of Fatty Liver Disease in a Bird?

1. Obesity — Overweight birds have fat deposits on/in their chest and abdomen.
2. Overgrown Beak — The beak grows rapidly and abnormally. This is indeed a danger sign. Many bird owners believe that when they take their bird to the veterinarian, they can get their beaks trimmed and be off, but their bird may have a life-threatening underlying disease (FLD), and the owners may be unaware that their bird may stress easily and may even die during a routine procedure.
3. Black Spots (Haemorrhage) — The black spots on beak and toenails are areas of haemorrhage like bruising. Due to the compromised liver function, the bird’s clotting ability is impaired – and this can be very serious.
4. Enlarged Fatty Liver — Unable to be detected with the naked eye, must be examined/palpated by a veterinarian and confirmed via special/specific testing done by a veterinarian.

Identified early this disease can be treated. Ideally through proper nutrition, it should be prevented. Unfortunately, a bird is reluctant to change from familiar foods, especially if it appears different such as pellets. Conversion to new diet should be handled gradually and with the advice from your veterinarian.

Treatment of Liver Disease in Birds

YORSTONER FORTE POWDER

YORSTONER FORTE POWDER is a combination of essential nutrients like Vitamins, Minerals, Amino Acids and liver stimulant along with blend of natural bioactive for liver protective activity. The unique composition of YORSTONER FORTE POWDER fulfills the body need of essential nutrients and also supports for healthy Liver function. The YOSTRTONER FORTE POWDER support fast and healthy growth of birds and makes their immune system strong.

Essential nutrients like Vitamins, Minerals, Amino Acids supplementation are essential for proper growth of any organism. Their requirements are more important in commercial animals like Broiler, Layer, Breeder etc. They are required in higher amount for fast and proper growth of the birds. The required fast growth from commercial perspective also makes the birds more susceptible for diseases.

BENEFITS:

• Support fast and proper growth of birds.
• Improves Feed Consumption Ration (FCR)
• Improves Livability
• Support healthy growth of birds making them less prone for disease.
• Improves weight gain and milk yielding.
• Improves appetite and feed utilization
• Helps in reconditioning of undernourished animals.
• Improves immunological power and reduces stress in animals.

INDICATION:

• To enhance growth, weight gain, Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR) & livability.
• Reduction in early chick mortality
• To improve liver function & to reduce ill effects of aflatoxins, pesticides, antibiotic, etc.
• To maintain proper feed intake, digestion, absorption of nutrients.
• To Improves immune system and relieves bird from Stress.

DOSSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION:

Route of administration: Oral

Mode of Administration– Through drinking water

Dosage:

• Chick- 5 ml in 30 liter Drinking Water for 5-7 days
• Broiler- 7 ml in 30 liter Drinking Water 2 days in a week
• Layer- 7 ml in 30 liter Drinking Wfor 1 week in a month
• Breeder- 15-20 ml in 30 liter Drinking Water for one week in a month

OR As recommended by Veterinarian/Nutritionalist 

Disclaimer

Please note that our product is packed with closure safety. Do not use the medicine if seal is Broken. Our products are meant for export use only. One must follow their local veterinarian’s instructions and dosage prescribed. Shake well before use. To get the best utility out of our products one must Store in Cool and Dry Place (suggested in between 15 Degree C to 30 Degree C), Protect from light and do not freeze.