Diarrhea

Diarrhea

By: Dr. Barbara Oglesbee

Section: Overview

Diarrhea is an increase in frequency and liquid content of the fecal component of the droppings. In birds, the droppings are composed of three elements: feces, urates and urine. The droppings are stored in the cloaca, the common emptying chamber for the gastrointestinal, urinary and reproductive tracts.

Feces are produced in the intestinal tract, and are normally green or brown in color. Urine and urates are produced in the kidneys. Usually, birds only produce a very small volume of liquid urine, and the majority of the waste from the kidneys is in the form of semi-solid, white/beige urates.

Occasionally, a larger volume of urine is produced (polyuria), which is often mistaken for diarrhea. Birds that are polyuric have a more liquid dropping, but the fecal component remains solid and formed. Birds with diarrhea have a more liquid consistency to the fecal component.


General Causes

  • Bacterial infections
  • Fungal infections
  • Viral infections
  • Dietary changes
  • Toxins
  • Foreign bodies lodged in the intestinal tract

    Your veterinarian will recommend specific diagnostic tests depending on how severe the diarrhea is, how long the bird has had diarrhea, and if other symptoms are present. Birds that are showing other symptoms, such as vomiting, anorexia or lethargy may require extensive diagnostic testing.

    If your bird occasionally has a few droppings with a liquid or loosely formed fecal component and has no other symptoms, it may be normal. If, however, the diarrhea is persistent (lasts more than a day), recurrent (returns frequently) or other symptoms occur, medical attention is needed.

    What to Watch For

  • Lethargy
  • Ruffled feathers
  • Tucking the head under the wing
  • Loss of appetite
  • Vomiting or regurgitation
  • Blood in the stool, which appears as dark, green-black tarry stool
  • Lack of feces in the dropping

    Diagnosis

    Your veterinarian will recommend specific diagnostic tests depending on the severity of the diarrhea, or if other symptoms are present.

    A complete history is extremely helpful in reaching a diagnosis. Be prepared to tell your veterinarian when the diarrhea began, the consistency of the diarrhea, and if it contains blood. Additionally, tell your veterinarian the type of diet your bird is on, describe his chewing habits and note any potential exposure to other birds.

    Diagnostic testing your veterinarian may perform include:                

  • A thorough physical examination
  • A complete blood count (CBC) and serum biochemistry panel
  • Sampling the crop and/or feces for bacterial culture and cytology
  • Radiography (X-Rays) to look for evidence of intestinal disease
  • Endoscopy to view the intestinal tract or body cavity

    Treatment

    Treatment for diarrhea may include any combination of:

  • Hospitalization for fluids and injectable medications
  • Antibiotics or antifungal medications
  • Surgery or endoscopy to relieve intestinal obstructions
  • Medications to protect the intestinal tract or alter the motility of the intestinal tract

    Home Care

    If only one or two of the droppings appears to be diarrhea and your bird has no other symptoms, return him to his usual diet, without fruits and vegetables, for 24 hours. Be sure that plenty of fresh water is available, and that the bird is drinking.

    Use only paper (no litter of any type) on the cage bottom, and change the paper daily so that you can monitor the droppings. If droppings do not return to normal within 24 hours, diarrhea worsens, or any other symptoms develop, contact your veterinarian.

    If your bird was treated for diarrhea, make sure to give all medication as directed, for as long as directed, even after the symptoms appear to be gone. Watch for a change in the droppings, and report any changes to your veterinarian.

    If improvement is not seen, the discharge is worsening or the bird develops other symptoms, alert your veterinarian immediately.

    •  
    Printable Version
     
    Have a Pet Question?
    Review the Most Frequent Questions
    Answered by Dr. Jon and His Staff of Veterinarians
    Ask Dr. Jon
    Dr. Jon's Newsletter
    Yes! Send Me the Latest Health Information, Pet Tips, Pet Stories and more...
     
     

    Related Articles

    • 1 Melena in Birds

      Melena usually appears as green-black, tarry stool. In most cases, melena is caused by bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Occasionally, however, melena may be seen when blood is ingested.

      Read MoreRead More
    • 2 Vomiting in Birds

      Vomiting is the forceful expulsion of stomach contents through the mouth and is always abnormal. Birds expel food from the proventriculus, which is the glandular or first stomach. This food is usually...

      Read MoreRead More
    Related Articles
    • 1Melena in Birds

      Melena usually appears as green-black, tarry stool. In most cases, melena is caused by bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Occasionally, however, melena may be seen when blood is ingested.

      Read MoreRead More
    • 2Vomiting in Birds

      Vomiting is the forceful expulsion of stomach contents through the mouth and is always abnormal. Birds expel food from the proventriculus, which is the glandular or first stomach. This food is usually...

      Read MoreRead More
     

    Over 10,000 Veterinarian Approved Articles

    Dogs & Puppies
    Cats
    Related Articles
    • 1Melena in Birds

      Melena usually appears as green-black, tarry stool. In most cases, melena is caused by bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Occasionally, however, melena may be seen when blood is ingested.

      Read MoreRead More
    • 2Vomiting in Birds

      Vomiting is the forceful expulsion of stomach contents through the mouth and is always abnormal. Birds expel food from the proventriculus, which is the glandular or first stomach. This food is usually...

      Read MoreRead More