Diabetes

[Greylady1966]

Is there any information on the forum about diabetes in parrots? Thank you Carol

 

[Shezbug]

I’d be thinking maybe @Hankmacaw or @enigma731 might be of help here.

@Hawk12237 did you once post or mention about a past bird you had with diabetes?

 

[Hankmacaw]

There is very little about diabetes in parrots anywhere. They don't develop diabetes the same way we do nor is their condition like a human's with diabetes. A few years a go I read up on it quite a lot for a woman who had a 26 yo B&G that had severe diabetes - but most of that has leaked out of my brain.

 

[Greylady1966]

Yes very little information on it. Our avian vet said it's not to common maybe that's why.

 

[Hawk12237]

The glucagon released into the bloodstream encourages the liver to make more glucose by triggering hepatic glycogenolysis. This increases the amount of glucose in the bloodstream even more, which may create a chronic glucose regulation problem. This can create further complications such as heart problems and kidney damage. The problem with avian diabetes mellitus is that treatment is difficult since bird’s systems break down and eliminate insulin quickly. Dosages have to be closely monitored and adjusted due to glucose fluctuations. There are other medications that may help such as metformin, glyburide, and glipizide. Whichever treatment your avian veterinarian suggests, you should also change your bird’s diet to reduce sugar and carbohydrates and monitor your bird’s diet.

 

[Greylady1966]

Our vet sent all of Howard's records and labs to a laboratory in Kanas. We should know next week. We're in Iowa our avian vet is in south Dakota and the labs in Kansas. Howard's all over the place.

 

[Hawk12237]

But with avian species, the problem is that too much of the hormone glucagon is produced. Experts are not entirely sure why that is. Medication is just as harmful as the disease itself. Not impossible to medicate, but you have to be careful, and really monitor it, along with frequent blood tests. Because of wide range of fluctuations. You can kill your bird with too much medication.

 

[Greylady1966]

@Hawk12237 our vet talked to us about shots or oral meds. It's pretty overwhelming and on top of it a lady with a small dog ask me what was in the carrier. I said my parrot Howard. She said she wants one because they talk and are so colorful. Than she asked why I was at the vets for a just a bird. That started a very colorful conversation.

 

[Hawk12237]

Our vet sent all of Howard's records and labs to a laboratory in Kanas. We should know next week. We're in Iowa our avian vet is in south Dakota and the labs in Kansas. Howard's all over the place.

They are going to be all over the place. My advice is a strict diet to level it out. Not eliminate sugar or carbs from diet completely.. They do need some, or you have a low sugar crash...and you don't want that either. But to cut back, and cut back on amount he eats. Birds do like to eat. Some eat more food than they need. Eliminate nuts, carbs, and sugars in excess.

 

[Greylady1966]

@Hawk12237 yes that's the overwhelming part of it. My vet helped me when my cag Nikki had aspers. She was there 24/7 I trust her completely so when she said she wanted another lab to look at his history and labs I was all for it.

 

[Hawk12237]

@Hawk12237 our vet talked to us about shots or oral meds. It's pretty overwhelming and on top of it a lady with a small dog ask me what was in the carrier. I said my parrot Howard. She said she wants one because they talk and are so colorful. Than she asked why I was at the vets for a just a bird. That started a very colorful conversation.

Confusing, isn't it? I'll share an insert from my wife's manual.

Symptoms of avian diabetes are similar to those found in other species. High blood sugar levels cause sugar to spill over into the urine. Urinalysis will show elevated sugar levels in the urine. Birds with diabetes often drink excessive amounts of water, and will also urinate excessively. Increased urine in the droppings must be differentiated from diarrhea, which is an increased volume of fluid in the feces. Some birds with diabetes may start out overweight, but many will become thin from not properly utilizing glucose. Animals with diabetes are more susceptible to infections.

It must be remembered that an elevated blood sugar level, called hyperglycemia, is just a symptom, and NOT a disease in itself. There can be many causes of hyperglycemia in birds. Stress can cause this. Corticosteroids can also elevate blood glucose levels, either when produced by the adrenal glands of the bird, or if administered orally, topically or injectably. Some vets who are not that familiar with avian medicine may use a topical cream or ointment containing a steroid, usually for feather picking, which can end up mimicking the signs of diabetes. Certain liver diseases and infectious diseases can also cause hyperglycemia and the signs of diabetes.

How do we diagnose diabetes in our avian patients then? If the blood glucose levels are persistently elevated above 500-600 mg/dl, this can indicate diabetes. Blood glucose levels may range from 600-2000 mg/dl, and a definitive diagnosis of diabetes can usually be made if the blood glucose level is persistently above 800 mg/dl. A thorough physical examination, complete blood count and plasma chemistry panel should be performed, including a urinalysis. Normal avian urine can contain a trace to moderate amounts of glucose. Unfortunately, there is not an easy way to test a bird for elevated levels of glucagon. There is a way to test insulin levels, but since this seems to be a problem with the overproduction of glucagon, this would not be helpful. So blood glucose levels, along with the bird's history, clinical signs and other test results are all used in diagnosing diabetes in birds.

 

[Hawk12237]

@Hawk12237 yes that's the overwhelming part of it. My vet helped me when my cag Nikki had aspers. She was there 24/7 I trust her completely so when she said she wanted another lab to look at his history and labs I was all for it.

That's great you have a vet that will go the extra mile and
Seek another lab. Remember though aspers and diabetes are two different issues, with diabetes being not as common in avian birds. I mean or should say, diabetes is not fully understood in birds.

 

[Greylady1966]

That's why I have faith in our vet. She wants another lab to go over it to recheck. I'd much rather pay double than always wonder if I did enough.

 

[Hawk12237]

That's why I have faith in our vet. She wants another lab to go over it to recheck. I'd much rather pay double than always wonder if I did enough.

Exactly...I'm with you on that too! I'd pay double rather than wonder. I hate wondering, I'm a person that needs to know. That's why when poppers passed away I buried her in the body bag vet supplied.
It was killing to know why she really died. So I dug her back up and sent her off to MSU lab for testing.
She died from a silent heart issue. But not aspers.

 

[Greylady1966]

Yes it's going to be a long week waiting for the results of his test.

 

[Greylady1966]

This week I got all of Howard's test results back from the lab in Kansas I know it's overkill but I had them redo them a second time to make sure the results were accurate after losing Nikki my CAG and best friend to aspers I needed it for my own piece of mind. Howard does have diabetes. We know nothing of his past except he was abused and ate only sunflower seeds. We talked to our avian vet about different options for meds. Injections, glyburide and glipizide. I chose insulin injections for him. I know it's controversial between oral and injections but I need to know he's getting all of it. He has a lot of damage to his liver and both our vet and the specialist of avian health in Kansas can't give me a long term prognosis which I knew they couldn't but I have to take one day at a time. He's on one unit a day with with follow ups to check his bloodwork.

 

[Clueless]

Prayers up for you two

 

[Hankmacaw]

I'm very sorry about Howard's diagnosis. Diabetes in birds is quite difficult to treat and control. I'm sure that you are aware that diet is very important for a diabetic bird's health and contolling the diabetes.

 

[rocky'smom]

Adding my knee mail for Howard

 

[Greylady1966]

@Hankmacaw 40 minutes after Howard's injection he crashed. Corn syrup brought him back up. We leave tomorrow at 5 am to see his avian vet.