Kidney Disorders in Birds

Kidneys are paired organs in the abdomen that filter certain waste products from the blood. The kidneys are also important in maintaining water and electrolyte balance in the body.

Kidney disease is relatively common in birds, especially budgies, and may appear as an acute problem (rapid/recent onset) or chronic problem (ongoing). The term “renal” is often used in medical terminology to describe issues involving the kidneys. 

What causes kidney disorders in birds?

There are many causes of kidney disorders, including infections (bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic), tumors (common in budgies), heavy metal toxicity (zinc, lead, or copper), metabolic disorders (such as gout), vitamin D toxicity and other nutritional excesses, and blockages or obstructions.

What are the clinical signs of kidney disorders in birds?

Some clinical signs are characteristic of kidney disease, such as polyuria (excess wetness around the fecal material). In addition, your bird may show non-specific signs, such as fluffed feathers, listlessness, depression, anorexia (decreased food consumption), weakness, not flying, weight loss, increased thirst, lameness, swollen joints, difficulty breathing, and/or a swollen, puffy abdomen.

Kidney tumors, which are more common in budgies, may cause compression on the ischiatic nerve, which will cause lameness in the leg on the affected side. Raised, white- to cream-colored swellings on the joints of the feet and/or toes are a general indication of articular gout. In these cases, the kidneys are not functioning properly and are not eliminating uric acid from the bloodstream. The elevated uric acid in the blood may be deposited in the joints (articular gout) or around internal organs (visceral gout). In either of these cases, the kidney malfunction often becomes fatal.

If your bird shows any signs of illness, consult an avian veterinarian as soon as possible, as many signs do not appear until a problem has become advanced.

How are kidney disorders in birds diagnosed?

A veterinarian familiar with birds will start with a complete history, obtain your bird’s body weight, and perform a physical examination. Several tests can help your veterinarian determine the nature of your bird's condition. Each test provides another piece of the puzzle and many tests are sometimes needed to arrive at a diagnosis of the disease condition and hopefully the cause of the suspected kidney disease.

• A complete blood count (CBC), which counts white blood cells and red blood cells, may reveal infection, dehydration, anemia, and/or the presence of toxins.
• A blood chemistry test is used to measure uric acid levels and certain electrolytes. Uric acid is excreted by the kidneys and levels are elevated when the kidneys are not functioning properly. Uric acid, calcium, and phosphorus levels will help establish whether the kidneys are functioning appropriately.
• A urinalysis is sometimes performed.
• Serology and specific DNA tests are often performed to identify specific infectious diseases.
• Radiographs (X-rays) may be used to assess the size, position, texture, and density of the kidneys.
• Ultrasonography is limited to larger birds, but it can be used to assess some abdominal organs, including the kidneys, depending on the size of the patient. Metal particles are easy to identify in the intestinal tract, if present, and lead to the suspicion of heavy metal toxicity. If the kidney is greatly enlarged, a kidney tumor may be suspected to be the root cause of some of the bird’s symptoms.
• Laparoscopy uses an endoscope with a camera inside the body to observe the kidneys directly.
• Kidney biopsies may be required to determine the condition of the kidneys at the cellular level. A pathologist will assess the biopsies to hopefully determine the exact cause of the kidney disease.

Unfortunately, some diseases in birds are not recognized by the owner in time and become fatal. In this instance, a diagnosis is made by performing a necropsy (a veterinary autopsy).

How are kidney disorders in birds treated?

The range of treatments for kidney disorders varies depending on the specific problem. Treatments may include feeding a diet lower in protein, nutritional supplementation, force-feeding, and possibly hospitalization with supportive or symptomatic therapy (fluids and vitamins), plus antibiotic, antiviral, or antiparasitic medications if indicated. Elevated uric acid levels are often treated with allopurinol and omega fatty acid supplements to help the levels return to normal.

In cases of metal toxicity, specific anti-toxin therapy will be prescribed. Sometimes the condition cannot be “cured,” only managed to improve your bird’s quality of life. The use of homeopathic or natural products may be beneficial to help manage an ailing kidney.