animal successes » birds
Morris Animal Foundation funded its first veterinary research study for birds in 1985, which looked at the use of anesthesia. Since then, we funded many health accomplishments for these feathered friends:
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Pain Management for Parrots:
Researchers determined that butorphanol tartrate, an opioid drug used for pain management, alleviates pain in Hispaniolan parrots. They developed a method for administering the drug through a single injection that provided pain relief for three to five days without side effects. Another study determined that different species of parrots may differ in their dosage requirements for this drug. -
Safe Calcium Levels for Budgies:
Researchers learned that the safe and adequate levels of dietary calcium for budgies and parakeets are half that of other pet birds. As a result, commercial diets prepared for them previously contained a toxic level of calcium. These results led to new diets that will increase the lifespan and quality of life for these birds. -
Better Diets/Diagnostic Testing for Liver Disease:
Investigators showed that low–iron diets can prevent increased liver iron stores in birds, but a diet with high–iron content that is supplemented with tannic acid and inositol also seems to prevent increased liver iron stores. Investigators also identified two potential treatments for birds with already elevated liver iron levels as well as a potential new test for diagnosing iron storage disease. -
Proper Vitamin A for Cockatiels:
One study determined the optimum level of vitamin A in the diets of cockatiels. Both deficiencies and excesses of vitamin A result in changes in behavior. At toxic levels, vitamin A causes birds to be extremely excitable and vocal. These behavioral abnormalities occurred at levels that do not cause clinical symptoms indicative of vitamin A malnutrition. -
Promising Renal Disease Research:
Investigators explored a number of compounds in the urine that may serve as markers of renal disease. One enzyme in particular, N–acetyl–beta–Dglucosaminidase (NAG), appears to be elevated in birds with renal disease. NAG shows promise in aiding in the development of noninvasive tests that could help veterinarians diagnose avian renal disease in its early stages.
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