A common sign of illness in pet birds involves a change of the droppings. While not usually specific for any one particular disease, a change in the color, frequency, volume, or character of droppings indicates a problem that requires immediate veterinary attention.
What are the components of a normal dropping?
There are 3 components to the droppings: feces, urates, and urine. For most pet birds the feces is the green to dark green solid part of the droppings. The urates are usually white in color, and the urine is a clear liquid. It is important for you, the owner, to become familiar with their bird's normal droppings, as evaluation of the droppings is important to detect illness in birds.
What is an abnormal dropping?
Simply put, once you get used to your bird's droppings, any deviation from the normal droppings is abnormal for your bird and should prompt a veterinary visit. Typical abnormal droppings can include any of the following:
§ Less than normal feces in the droppings
§ Increase or decrease in the number of droppings
§ Change in color of the fecal or urate component
§ Droppings with bubbles
§ Increase in the liquid component
What causes abnormal droppings?
Many diseases can cause a change in the droppings. Diet also influences the droppings. If for example, you've decided to give your bird a few blueberries, its droppings will probably be blue or purple for a short period of time. Assuming that the diet has remained constant, common causes of abnormal droppings includes intestinal diseases, kidney disease, liver disease, bacterial or viral infections, and parasite infections. Chlamydiosis, a common cause of liver disease, may produce lime green droppings in some birds. Some birds with heavy metal poisoning produce red droppings.
How will the doctor know what caused the abnormal droppings?
A variety of tests are run to determine the cause of the abnormal droppings. These tests may include the following:
Fecal tests: There are two common tests run on feces to check for intestinal parasites. One is a fecal direct smear, which tests for live parasites. The other is a fecal flotation, in which we look for eggs of intestinal parasites. Both of these tests are performed using a microscope.
Gram’s stain: This test allows evaluation of the bacterial population in the feces, as well as detecting an overgrowth of yeast. A swab is used to collect the specimen, which is then carefully mounted on a microscope slide and treated with a series of special stains. This test is used to detect the presence, or lack of, bacteria and yeast. Bacteria are identified along with their shape, size and number. Further testing may be important for positive identification. This is a quick test and is also used to follow the progress of a patient.
Bacterial culture and sensitivity testing: Bacterial infections are common in birds. Special sterile swabs are used to collect samples from the cloaca. The laboratory will attempt to grow, isolate and specifically identify any disease causing organisms. The next step is to test these pathogens and determine which antibiotics will work against the organism. This test takes several days, but allows the veterinarian to treat with greater specificity. This test may be recommended if the gram’s stain shows an abnormal amount of bacteria.
Blood work: There are two steps involved with blood work: the complete blood count (CBC) and chemistry tests. The CBC is an in depth evaluation of the red blood cells and the five types of white blood cells. Different diseases may affect the number, morphology (shape and structure) and percentage distribution of the various types of blood cells. It is a common screening test for birds, which provides abundant information. A CBC will allow detection of infection or anemia. Certain blood parasites may also be detected during this test. The chemistry tests are performed with the serum (fluid portion) to reveal data used to assess the biochemical condition of a patient. Numerous enzymes and products of metabolism are evaluated. This is very important in determining whether or not organs such as the liver or kidneys are functioning properly.
Radiographs: Radiographs (x-rays) provide invaluable information regarding bones, internal organs, the respiratory system, soft tissue masses and foreign bodies in the bird. Changes in density, size, shape and relationship of organs and tissues are examined. Birds require an anesthetic to safely obtain quality radiographs.
Can my bird be treated?
Most birds with abnormal droppings are successfully treated once the cause of the abnormal droppings is identified. As an owner, your cooperation in allowing the recommended tests is critical in allowing us to correctly diagnose and treat your bird.