Is Your Bird Overweight? Obesity poses greater dangers to birds than to other animals. Overweight birds are more common than you may think, and unfortunately, the health effects of excess fat can be quite serious. Among the more serious dangers related to bird obesity is the development of hepatic lipidosis. Hepatic lipidosis: In birds, excess fat is stored in the liver. When liver cells become filled with too much fat, the cells no longer function properly and may, in time, be destroyed. This condition is called hepatic lipidosis. Over time, liver function may be reduced to the point that it can no longer support life. Symptoms: Some of the symptoms of hepatic lipidosis include: Loss of appetite Lethargy Depression Distended abdomen Breathing difficulty Diarrhea Seizures and/or tremors Beak softening Weight guidelines: The best way to protect your bird from hepatic lipidosis is to make sure that he maintains a proper weight. A bird is considered to be overweight if their optimum weight is exceeded by 15 percent or more. Below is a list of a few of the more common bird types and their approximate ideal weights:
Posted on: Sat, 10 Jan 2015 14:40:14 +0000