Fatty Liver Syndrome in Lovebirds

This is also called as hepatic lipidosis. This disease is a slow process occuring in your lovebird which made the liver tissue to get replaced with fat. The lovebird may suddenly fall sick as the fatty liver syndrome in lovebirds has progressed.

Female lovebirds are more prone to this disease which is due to the hormonal activities in the reproductive hen. Even young ones also being reported with this condition

CAUSES

• Too frequent feeding or Over eating
• Providing high fat content diet -all-seed diet
• Nutritious deficiencies- Choline, Methionine and Biotin
• Diabetes mellitus

SYMPTOMS of Fatty Liver Syndrome

• Overgrown beaks and claws
• Dry itchy Skin
• Change in feather coloration - Poor feather quality
• Greenish diarrhea due to biliverdin being excreted
• Distended abdomen with the appearance of overgrown liver just below the keel
• Dyspnea- Difficulty in breathing
• In terminal stages, seizures are noticed

Prevention of Fatty Liver Syndrome

• Provision of low-fat diet like fresh fruits and veggies and high quality pellets
• Supplementation with Dimethylglycine (DMG), a perfect anti-oxidant
• Administration of lactulose - to treat or prevent central nervous system signs
• Fresh gel from the Aloe vera leaves may be prepared to administer the lovebirds

Fatty liver syndrome is a dreadful condition. In other words, it is difficult to cure. That's why we have to concentrate on preventing the Fatty Liver Syndrome well in advance by the lovebirds owner.