Birds - Abnormal Droppings

General Information

When birds are ill, they will commonly develop a change in their droppings. While not usually specific for any one particular disease, a change in the color, frequency, volume, wetness or character of droppings may indicate a problem that requires immediate veterinary attention.

What are the components of a normal dropping?

"It is important for owners to become familiar with their bird's normal droppings, as evaluation of the droppings is an important clue to illness in pet birds."

There are three components to the normal droppings. The first is the fecal component. For most pet birds, this is the green to dark green, solid part of the droppings. The color may vary with the type of food being fed. The second component is the urate component, or the solid urine component. Unlike most animals, birds, in their attempt to conserve water, produce a solid urate component to the dropping. The urates are usually white in color. The third component, which is not often recognized by owners, is a clear liquid urine component. It is important for owners to become familiar with their bird's normal droppings, as evaluation of the droppings is an important clue to illness or wellness in pet birds.

What is an abnormal dropping?

Simply put, once you get used to your bird's droppings, any deviation from what the normal droppings look like are abnormal for your bird and should prompt a veterinary visit. Typically, abnormal droppings can include any of the following:

• Fewer than normal amount of droppings
• Increase in the number of droppings
• Change in color or texture of either the fecal component or the urate component
• "Bubbly" looking droppings
• Increase in the wet or liquid component (called polyuria, or too much urine)
• The presence of blood

While most owners state that their birds have diarrhea, true diarrhea is not common in birds. The most common sign of abnormal droppings in birds is actually polyuria (too much urine or wet component).

What causes abnormal droppings?

Many diseases can cause a change in the droppings. Diet also influences the droppings. If for example, you have decided to give your bird a few blueberries, its droppings will probably be blue or purple for a short time afterwards. Assuming that the diet has remained constant, common causes of abnormal droppings includes intestinal diseases, kidney disease, liver diseases, bacterial or viral infections, and parasite infections. Chlamydiosis, a common cause of liver disease, may produce lime green droppings in some birds. Some birds with heavy metal poisoning produce red or black droppings.

How will my veterinarian know what caused the abnormal droppings?

Your veterinarian can run a variety of tests, including blood tests and radiographs (X-rays) to try to determine if any internal diseases have caused the abnormal droppings. More importantly, an evaluation using a special kind of stain called a gram stain can be done on the droppings to test for parasites, yeast and abnormal bacteria. A microscopic examination of the feces is done to check for parasites, or there may be a need to culture the droppings if a bacterial or yeast infection is suspected.

Can my bird be treated?

Depending on the diagnosis, most birds with abnormal droppings are successfully treated once the cause of the abnormal droppings is determined. As an owner, your cooperation in consenting to the recommended tests is critical in allowing your veterinarian to correctly diagnose and treat your bird.

If you believe your bird has changes in the droppings, consult a veterinarian familiar with birds.