Liver disease can occur in pet psittacine birds of all species and ages. Infectious causes are most common in young birds but in older birds degenerative disease is a more common cause.

Clinical signs can be non specific and depend on the severity of the disease – these can range from anorexia, listlessness and feather fluffing. Jaundice is rare in birds since they produce biliverdin rather than bilirubin but more specific signs include polyuria/polydypsia, yellow urates and occasionally palpable, enlarged livers. A good history is important since exposure to other birds, diet and illness amongst family members are important facts to ascertain. As a complication it is not uncommon for multiple organ diseases to be associated with avian liver disease.

Chlamydia can cause liver disease and is more common in younger birds and other bacterial/viral causes should be considered e.g. Pachco's disease (PDV). In new stock or birds with uncertain history's Psitticosis may be considered. Older birds may have degenerative liver disease such as hepatic lipidosis (AFLD); hepatic neoplasia has been described in birds, including biliary adenocarcinoma in Blue Fronted Amazon Parrots.

To aid diagnosis initial bloods should be performed to include a full blood count, biochemistry including GLDH and bile acids (CTDS Avian profile AP). Infectious agents may also be considered (please contact for sample details), radiographs, ultrasound and biopsy may be further warranted depending on the signalment.

CTDS veterinary laboratory provides a wide range of avian tests, please contact the laboratory for full listing or review our pricelist.