Gout in Parrots

Uric acid is one of the final products in one of the metabolic pathways in mammals and birds. It is usually extracted from the bloodstream by the kidneys and excreted in the urine. Sometimes, because of food imbalances or kidney malfunction, uric acid can build up in the blood. When salts of uric acid are deposited in the joints, it produces the painful condition known as gout.

  1. Symptoms

    • Symptoms of gout include extended, swollen toes. Remember that your parrot is spending almost all its life on its feet and probably on perches of one or two different diameters--so foot problems are to be expected. A specific symptom that indicates gout is the presence of small round white spots near the toe joints.

    Significance

    • Avian gout is most frequently seen in budgies, cockatiels, finches or canaries, but it does occur in parrots--especially large parrots. Parrot gout is most common in blue and gold parrots between the ages of 4 and 8 weeks. If you can pull them through this critical period, they often outgrow the condition.

    Differences

    • Human gout is similar to avian gout, but the cause is different. They are both the results of the build-up of uric acid crystals in the joints. Human gout is caused by excessive alcohol and rich foods. Avian gout is caused by excessive protein consumption combined with insufficient water.

    Treatment

    • The best treatment for avian gout is to decrease the protein and increase the water. This means more lettuce, greens and vegetables and plenty of water including baths and a high-humidity environment. A high vegetable (low seed) diet will also increase the hydration. Make sure that any "treats" do not include high-protein animal byproducts.

    Types

    • Gout does not always affect the joints, but it is always caused by a build-up of uric acid. When the build-up forms crystals in the joints, it is called articular grout. When the uric acid crystals form around organs, it is called visceral gout. Visceral gout will not produce the white spots on the feet that are symptomatic of articular gout. The only symptom of visceral gout is likely to be restlessness.

    Warning

    • Sometimes uric acid build-up is caused by kidney failure--especially in older birds. In this case a change of diet will have little effect.