Fatty Liver Disease

[Merlee]

I have been wanting to add another bird to our flock and realized that many of the birds I have called about are in their teens and eating mainly seed. I realized this morning that these rehomed birds have the potential of having fatty liver disease. Is there a specific age when this would cause serious damage? Birds in their teens are still considered young right?

Can this disease be reversed if detected? If I became involved with a bird that has this, what can I expect? There is no certified avian vet in my area so I would have to either drive to Atlanta (1 1/2 hours away) or bring in a mobile vet.

I realize whatever bird I add will have to be vetted for the safety of my 2 existing birds, but I am concerned about the future.

Thanks.

 

[94lt1]

IMHO, its never too late to get a bird on a healthier diet....I know of a dbl yellow head amazon that's always eaten seeds...it doesn't have fatty liver disease . And its 35 yrs old..so when they contract it...idk. chance perhaps??

Dandiline extract is supposed to help with fatty liver disease or help prevent it I believe...you might look into some of that..

As far as new birds...I always keep new birds quarantined for at least 30 days and that's even with the vet giving an all clear ..better safe than sorry.

 

[Featheredsamurai]

The liver is a amazing organ, a big diet change can do wonders for it. Birds can be very picky, and it may takes months for them to accept the new diet but in the end it will all be worth it.
liver healing foods (Not all these foods are bird safe)

My galah cockatoo, Rosie, came to me with organ failure. It took a long time to get her healthy again, and she still has some miner issues. She ate a staple sun flower seed diet, with daily jelly beans as treats, oatmeal in the morning, and occasional some leafy greens were shared with her. Although she was eating foods high in fat she came to me pretty much emaciated, her chest was a V shape and had NO fat or muscle in the chest. Her organs were no longer able to process the little nutrients she was receiving. Her age is 21+, she could be 35 for all I know. I started her on a new diet right away, it took 6 months for her to be off seeds and longer for her to like veggies.

If you happen to adopt a bird with fatty liver, or other health problems don't be to worried. With time and patience you can change their life around. It took over a year and a half to get Rosie to a point where she was doing really well. Watching a bird grow into a happy, healthy, and beautiful creature is amazing!

A bad diet can make arthritis more likely as they reach a old age, but it may or may not happen. Also, foods high in fat may also affect the heart. A excellent new diet will do wonders for any bird you adopt, it would be sad to pass up a amazing bird who needs a new home because of these issues

Here's Rosie, she is clearly a much healthier bird in the newer photos. It makes me so happy everyday that I've been able to give her a new life, she is a different and amazing bird today. I would never go back and not adopt her because of her health issues. I think Rosie knows her life is better than it used to be, and because of that we have a incredible relationship that I cherish

And here she is now, a few years later

 

[Betrisher]

Wow, Copperarabian, you've *really* done a marvellous job with Rosie! I hadn't realised she was in such poor condition when she arrived. What a lovely outcome for both of you! My Dom's story is almost identical to Rosie's, only he has fatty tumours and no organ failure. I so agree with you that it's never too late to introduce a healthy diet and lifestyle for a bird. Watching them achieve good health is a blessing in itself.