The Effect of Poor Nutrition on the Geriatric Bird

The importance of correct nutrition cannot be overstated. Malnourishment causes most of the illnesses that captive birds encounter, and years of improper diet contribute to birds’ poor health in old age and early death. In his paper on nutrition, R.N. Brue states that, "Nutrition itself is a critical link between the management practices provided for a bird and the bird’s good health."⁹ In order for optimal health, longevity, and reproduction of companion bird species to occur, there needs to be more research done on their nutritional requirements. He doubts that the nutritional needs of birds will ever be fully known.⁹

Geriatric birds are more susceptible to certain health issues. Since malnutrition and nutritional disorders are still common in pet birds, and many owners continue to feed a seed-based diet, these birds will develop long-term health problems, including hypovitaminosis A, calcium deficiency, hepatic lipidosis, and secondary infection. Birds can live a very long time on these deficient diets without any outward signs of malnutrition, but over time it takes its toll. Even if the bird is changed to a better diet, sometimes it’s too late, and the bird has developed illnesses that cannot be helped. Also, even though the owner may offer better foods, the bird may not adapt to this new diet and only choose foods it is used to or enjoys.⁶⁵

Dr. Robert Dahlhausen, eminent practitioner and researcher in Milford, Ohio provides the following remarks concerning the geriatric patients he sees in his practice:
"There is an ever-increasing number of geriatric patients in my practice. As many as 30% of the birds I see fall into that category. The most often-seen species are Amazons, macaws, and cockatiels—mostly the New World species. We don’t see that many senior cockatoos—I don’t know why. I have always seen older parakeets, around ten years old, and we’re beginning to see macaws living to 40 or 50 years old. Even though many have a longer lifespan, 40-50 is considered elderly. We mostly see problems with cataracts and arthritis. Vetomega® will help to provide nutritional support for the ones with arthritis. It won’t make them better, or cause it to go away, but it will slow down the progress. I also see cholesterol deposits in the great vessels of the heart. The great vessel walls should be flexible, but instead they are hardened. It all relates to nutrition—decades of improper nutrition, mainly from all-seed diets." (Robert Dahlhausen, personal communication)

5.1. Vitamin A Deficiency

According to Darrel Styles, nutritional disorders in geriatric birds are often caused by Vitamin A deficiency, leading to upper respiratory tract infections. “The signs are white plaques and keratin pearls in the oral cavity and squamous metaplasia (abnormal cells replacing normal ones), of the respiratory epithelium (tissue covering the organ), leading to dysfunction of the organs.”⁵⁸ Birds fed a great many sunflower seeds and other high-fat foods are at the highest risk. Changes in diet and the addition of Vitamin A to the diet, along with treatment of respiratory infections, resolve the condition.⁵⁸

As of 2006, when Avian Medicine: Principles and Application was last printed, there had been little-to-no research on the nutritional needs of the geriatric psittacine bird. This is due to the relative paucity of geriatric birds in aviculture or as companion animals. Historically, captive birds have been on poor diets, and this has caused shorter lifespans than they would have had in the wild, or had they been better cared for in captivity. As the husbandry and veterinary care of companion birds improved—as it has for the last 20 years—veterinarians and pet owners have become more concerned with proper geriatric nutrition. Geriatric research has led to the belief that the geriatric bird should be provided with a highly digestible diet that maintains proper weight. "The diet should contain slightly reduced levels of proteins, phosphorous and sodium, and some vitamins and minerals from those received earlier in life. Increases in Vitamins A, E, B12, thiamine, pyridoxine, zinc, linoleic acid and lysine (Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids) may be helpful in overcoming some of the metabolic and digestive changes accompanying old age." ²² Deficiencies in the essential fatty acids may also lead to changes in feather color. Feather quality is an indication of nutritional status.⁴⁷

5.2. Deficiencies in Omega-3 and -6 Fatty Acids May Lead to:

• Changes in feather color. The quality of the feathers is an indication of nutritional status.
• Atherosclerosis, caused by high-fat, high-cholesterol diets, lack of exercise, age, species susceptibility, and exposure to some infectious agents. The result is long-term, chronic inflammation. The type of dietary fat consumed affects the development of atherosclerosis more than the total amount of fat consumed.
  • Atherosclerosis leads to stroke, heart attack, and vascular disease and is seen in parrots with increasing frequency.
  • The clinical signs for birds include circulatory conditions, lethargy, dyspnea, fainting, sudden falling, nervous symptoms due to blood loss in areas of the body, and sudden death.
  • Diets high Omega-3 and -6 fatty acids and herbs protect against atherosclerosis in geriatric parrots.⁴⁷

See Appendix B for a case study about Carly, an aged macaw, and a victim of neglect.