Diet-related problems in pet birds

The detection and correction of dietary errors plays an important role in a vian medicine. Examples of diseases caused in part by a deficiency or abundance of a nutri ent include hypovitaminosis A in birds of the parrot (Psittacidae)family, h ypocalcemia in the African grey parrot, goitre in budgerigars, and iron sto rage diseases in the minah and toucan. Hypovitaminosis A can lead to metapl asia of mucous, membranes, which in turn can lead to chronic rhinitis and r espiratory fungal infections. Vitamin A deficiency is caused by feeding a s eed based diet. Seed mixtures are often deficient in calcium, and nutritional secondary hyp erparathyroid can develop if an additional source of calcium, in the form o f ground shells, is not provided. Tetanic symptom as a result of hypo- calc emia are only seen in the Africans grey parrot and the timneh parrot. Over supplementation of vitamin D gives rise to poisoning with polyuria and poly dipsia as common initial symptoms. The exact cause of iron storage diseases in toucans and minahs is not known.. A diet low in iron and vitamin C is advised as therapy. Goitre can develop ill budgerigars as a result of iodine-deficient drinking water and provisio ns of a seed mixture based on millet. An unbalanced or multideficient diet can give rise to reproductive disor- ders, abnormal feathers or infections as a result of diminished resistance. It is usually not possible to relate the cause of these diseases in a simple way to the compositions of the diet . Obesity, which occurs in the galah, Amazon par- rot, and budgerigars, can lead to fatty liver and lipoma. A gradual reduction in weight, by mean of calorie, restrictions, is recommended. Commercially available nutritionally balanced bird food is effective.