About Dr. Brian Speer, DVM
Avian veterinarian Dr. Brian Speer was raised in a small town on California's coast. He received his BS in Biology…
Ask An Expert: Dr. Brian Speer, DVM
Browse by category: Parrot Care, Behaviour and Training, Conservation, Ethics and Welfare, Housing and Environmental Enrichment, General, Health and Nutrition
My Question: Is Juniper wood toxic to parrots? I read in Gallerstein's book that only the needles, berries, and stems were toxic.
Dr. Speer, I wrote asking about the Juniper tree and its toxicity to parrots. Below are science articles regarding the Juniper and native birds that rely on the Juniper. If it is not toxic to so many native birds, why do so many sites state that it is toxic to parrots?
http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/pif/pubs/PJ manual Nov 08 low-res.pdf
bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/485b
ir.library.oregonstate.edu/dspace/handle/1957/8971 - 14k
elibrary.unm.edu/sora/wb/v15n02/p0085-p0090.pdf
mojavedesert.net/plants/shrubs/juniper.html - 26k
newmexicobirds.blogspot.com/2009/02/gallant-in-gray-townsends-solitaire.html
- 75k
Dr. Speer, I wrote asking about the Juniper tree and its toxicity to parrots. Below are science articles regarding the Juniper and native birds that rely on the Juniper. If it is not toxic to so many native birds, why do so many sites state that it is toxic to parrots?
http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/pif/pubs/PJ manual Nov 08 low-res.pdf
bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/species/485b
ir.library.oregonstate.edu/dspace/handle/1957/8971 - 14k
elibrary.unm.edu/sora/wb/v15n02/p0085-p0090.pdf
mojavedesert.net/plants/shrubs/juniper.html - 26k
newmexicobirds.blogspot.com/2009/02/gallant-in-gray-townsends-solitaire.html
- 75k
Answered by Dr. Brian Speer, DVM:
You have done a good job, taking the time to challenge some of those simple statements. Why do these types of comments about toxic risk to parrots exist out there? In part, by taking known fact from some species and correlating it to others where it is not known to be a problem or even where there is no problem; in part "just to be safe", and part simple error. This is one of the inherent risks of taking some pieces of information, without verification - sometimes, we end up really out and removed from reality. The catch here: We do not know what parrot species will do that are non-native to areas where Juniper grows, or if there could be a problem in those species..Here is an excerpt from a summary discussion about Juniper poisoning:
Juniper, Juniperus sp: There are many species used commonly for landscaping. They are all shapes, sizes and colors and are widely distributed throughout North America. The fleshy seed cones are used as a food source for birds, rodents, deer and humans. Some of the toxic principles are diterpene acids, believed to be responsible for abortions in cattle and sheep; terpine-4-ol, responsible for diuretic effects; and sabinyl acetate which causes fetal malformations that are well documented in rats. The other clinical signs after large amounts of Juniperus are eaten include premature births, stillborns, small or weak newborns in cattle and sheep with the dam also being ill. It is not recommended that pregnant animals have access to these shrubs.
The toxic principle seems to be oriented towards abortions or fetal malformations - an issue that kind of seems to be centered about placental mammals - not birds who do not do that pregnancy thing.
filed under: Health and Nutrition
I have noticed two yellow patches(oblong shape)under my cockatiels skin at the back of his neck, on each side of his back bone. These patches are changing to a deeper yellow colour, and I was wondering could this be a medical condition developing. He is 20 years old and had been pulling his feathers out. Although he doesn`t pull so many out now, some feathers have not grown back again. Can you advise please?
Answered by Dr. Brian Speer, DVM:
Yes - this could be a medical condition developing. I would advise that you have your bird examined for diagnosis. Obesity, lipomas, Xanthomatosis, and other skin specific disorders all are possible here.filed under: Health and Nutrition
Hello Dr Speer,
I have read Steve Marin’s informative and extensive post to Renate about her Ducorps eating wood and would like to follow his recommendation and get your advice on this. I have just been confronted with a similar case. This concerns a mature female b/y macaw who is (probably) about 20 years old and has spent time with other birds, but also long periods alone. From about 2002 until 2005 she was with two other macaws and an LSC2. One of the macaws died of aspergillosis, but the other two birds are well as of this writing. For the last four years she has been alone due to her unsociable behavior towards other birds. She is now in nesting/hormonal mode and is chewing wood, as usual at this time. However, 6 days ago there were tiny pieces of wood in her first morning dropping, which was copious and watery (also as usual). Since then, close examination of her feces reveals an average of 6 tiny pieces of wood, along with 2 to 4 slightly digested seeds and the odd undigested piece of pinenut in each dropping – these could be adhering to the wood as it passes through, since the amount of undigested seed/nut that is passing through does not total the (moderate) amount she eats. On two occasions, there was a very slight trace of what looked like fresh to slightly dried blood in the stools - the shade of red makes me think it was from the lower digestive tract. I am aware that PDD and Megabacteria can cause dilatation of the proventiculus. She has not, however, been to avian vet for examination as her health certainly appears good – her body weight is normal, feces are, with the exceptions noted
above, of normal amount, color, and consistency. Her front is completely bare of feathers, which helps assess her outward physical condition. She is alert, bright eyed and her facial skin color is very good. Her appetite is normal, although she gets two extra nutritional soft feeds per day. She also displays normal behavior for a nesting/hormonal female, although she is a solitary bird. There is now also a slight swelling developing in the soft region between her sternum and cloaca – could this be the beginning of an egg? Is this situation something to be alarmed about? Is there some protocol that should be followed to help determine a diagnosis? Does she need to be seen by a vet urgently? Thank you so much for your time and comments.
I have read Steve Marin’s informative and extensive post to Renate about her Ducorps eating wood and would like to follow his recommendation and get your advice on this. I have just been confronted with a similar case. This concerns a mature female b/y macaw who is (probably) about 20 years old and has spent time with other birds, but also long periods alone. From about 2002 until 2005 she was with two other macaws and an LSC2. One of the macaws died of aspergillosis, but the other two birds are well as of this writing. For the last four years she has been alone due to her unsociable behavior towards other birds. She is now in nesting/hormonal mode and is chewing wood, as usual at this time. However, 6 days ago there were tiny pieces of wood in her first morning dropping, which was copious and watery (also as usual). Since then, close examination of her feces reveals an average of 6 tiny pieces of wood, along with 2 to 4 slightly digested seeds and the odd undigested piece of pinenut in each dropping – these could be adhering to the wood as it passes through, since the amount of undigested seed/nut that is passing through does not total the (moderate) amount she eats. On two occasions, there was a very slight trace of what looked like fresh to slightly dried blood in the stools - the shade of red makes me think it was from the lower digestive tract. I am aware that PDD and Megabacteria can cause dilatation of the proventiculus. She has not, however, been to avian vet for examination as her health certainly appears good – her body weight is normal, feces are, with the exceptions noted
above, of normal amount, color, and consistency. Her front is completely bare of feathers, which helps assess her outward physical condition. She is alert, bright eyed and her facial skin color is very good. Her appetite is normal, although she gets two extra nutritional soft feeds per day. She also displays normal behavior for a nesting/hormonal female, although she is a solitary bird. There is now also a slight swelling developing in the soft region between her sternum and cloaca – could this be the beginning of an egg? Is this situation something to be alarmed about? Is there some protocol that should be followed to help determine a diagnosis? Does she need to be seen by a vet urgently? Thank you so much for your time and comments.
Answered by Dr. Brian Speer, DVM:
Based on your description, your bird should be physically examined by an experienced avian veterinarian.The passage of undigested material in the feces is not a normal event, and at present time, it seems that your bird is not overtly visibly ill otherwise - offering you the time to obtain a diagnosis and have time to treat most effectively. This should not necessarily be viewed as an urgent thing, but just time to get an evaluation and a clear diagnosis established - whatever it turns out to be.The lump that you see at the loweer abdominal area may be an egg, but it also could be due to the dilation of a ventriculus or proventriculus, or any other coelomic organ as well.
"Megabacteria" is now an outdated term that we used to describe infection with the yeast organism, Macrorhabdus ornithogaster. This is a very very very very rare diagnosis in macaws, and I'd not be overtly that concerned about this infection in your bird. More importantly, whatever is causing the ventricular dysfunction needs to be named and diagnosed accurately - and for this, it is time to get going to the doc.
filed under: Health and Nutrition
I am concerned regarding my 20 year old cockatiel. I think the curved part at the front of his throat is swollen. Could there be a health problem here?
Answered by Dr. Brian Speer, DVM:
Yes, there could be a problem, but there may also not be. I'd recommend that you have your bird examined to allow proper address of your concerns.filed under: Health and Nutrition
Thank you for answering my question on pellets. I have a further query regarding same which I would like your advice. I notice there are some `preservative free` pellets, and I like the idea of making my bird`s diet free from preservatives. However, I am concerned if there could be the danger of them turning stale and what should I be aware of?
Answered by Dr. Brian Speer, DVM:
There is always concern with spoilage, and this should be a bit more of a concern if you are specifically choosing to feed items or products that lack preservatives. Simple recommendation: follow the recommendations of the manufacturer of the diet you are choosing to feed.
filed under:
Hi. Would anyone know why a bird with a naturally black beak would get a white spot on the dorsal aspect of the tip of the beak? Two of my three Patagonian Conures have this new development as of this winter. Could it be caused from lack of sunlight?
Cindi-
Cindi-
Answered by Dr. Brian Speer, DVM:
Dear Cindi, Those are likely "normal" color changes that are in those photos. a bit of rubbing and wear on the outer aspects of the keratin will expose the colors that I see, and this is not uncommon in many dark billed species such as this. It appears that the last bird photo suggests to me that the bird has no abrasive surfaces in its enclosure to enable normal self grooming of exfoliating keratin from the lateral aspects of the upper mandible gnathotheca.[Editor's note: Changes in beak coloration have also been noted in wild Patagonian Conures. Nestlings and fledglings until they are about 4 months old have white bills.]
filed under: Health and Nutrition
My question is regarding pellet food. I want to add some pellets to my cockatiels food so as he doesn`t eat an all seed diet. On checking the ingredients I found they included ground millets,ground sunflower seeds,sucrose,salt,oats,artificial colours/flavours,zinc amongst others. Would this not be the same as if he was eating these seeds? Also I read somewhere,not to give birds salt and zinc was toxic to them. Can you advise please.
Answered by Dr. Brian Speer, DVM:
A pelletized or formulated diet product is, overall, a step in nutritional support for most companion parrot species. The big difference between these products and a seed mixture, is that there is uniformity in what is being consumed, and a balance of the nutrition being delivered - which does not occur nearly as well when birds are fed a varied seed mixture diet. The seeds that would be available for a wild cockatiel to eat are going to also have a very different nutritional make up than those domestically produced seed mixtxures, most likely.And salt and zinc are both essential nutrients. In excess, both can potentially cause harm. Deficiencies of both will cause harm. Diagnosis of toxicosis is not as simple as many folks may want to believe - leading to issues of overdiagnosis and incorrect and sometimes even harmful treatment regimes. There is alot of incorrect and outright pseudoscience out there, particularly about zinc poisoning, and you need to be very critical of the scientific accuracy of rmany of the information that you may receive.
filed under: Health and Nutrition
Hi Dr. Speer - My question is regarding keeping cockatiels and cockatoos close to other parrot species. I have often heard that most parrots should not be kept close to any Cacatuidae species. This is because the dust from the cockatoo/tiel could give other species respiratory problems. How much truth is there in this and how often do you see birds with respiratory problems due to being kept close to cockatoos or cockatiels? I keep a Jenday Conure and a Lesser Sulphur-crested Cockatoo in separate cages in the same room. Is that safe without an air filter? Of course, I do keep the cages clean. Would a Hahn's Macaw and a Cockatiel be okay to keep side-by-side in separate cages? I am thinking this would be okay but wanted to see an avian vet's opinion. Many thanks for your time!
Answered by Dr. Brian Speer, DVM:
There is an allergic pneumonitis issue seen in Macaws (best documented in Blue and Golds) associated with feather dust and dander, often from cockatoos or grey parrots. This condition may certainly occur in other psittacine species, but is much less commonly encountered or documented. I am not aware of this condition being documented in Aratinga species - yet. Generally, a good management start, considering your concerns and concerns, would be to place a good quality air filter near the dusty species's cage, which will functionally remove their dust, and protect your pulmonary health as well as your other pet bird's health.filed under: Health and Nutrition
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