Hepatic lipidosis in psittacine birds—a review

Fatty liver or hepatic lipidosis is a mild, progressive metabolic disorder in several domestic animal species and various bird species in which the lipid is accumulated in the hepatocytes. The excessive intake of fatty acids, increased lipolysis, decreased oxidation of fatty acids in the...

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Main Authors: Dražen Đuričić, Maja Lukač, Josip Miljković
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Academia.edu Journals 2025-05-01
Series:Academia Biology
Online Access:https://www.academia.edu/129598922/Hepatic_lipidosis_in_psittacine_birds_a_review
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author Dražen Đuričić
Maja Lukač
Josip Miljković
author_facet Dražen Đuričić
Maja Lukač
Josip Miljković
author_sort Dražen Đuričić
collection DOAJ
description Fatty liver or hepatic lipidosis is a mild, progressive metabolic disorder in several domestic animal species and various bird species in which the lipid is accumulated in the hepatocytes. The excessive intake of fatty acids, increased lipolysis, decreased oxidation of fatty acids in the liver, and the decreased ability of the liver to excrete processed fatty acids back into circulation are possible causes of hepatic lipidosis. There is a species, age, sex, and genetic predisposition to fatty liver disease. In parrots, hepatic lipidosis is most common in budgerigars, cockatiels, Amazon parrots, macaws, budgerigars, lovebirds, and young cockatoos. The most common causes of hepatic lipidosis in parrots are inadequate diet, especially with seeds, too frequent or ad libitum feeding, lack of activity, nutritional deficiencies, certain toxins, and hereditary factors, among others. The clinical signs are nonspecific (anorexia, lethargy, weakness, dehydration, weight loss or obesity, vomiting or regurgitation, polydipsia and polyuria, tachycardia, and dyspnea). The diagnosis can be made based on clinical examination, liver enzyme tests, and X-rays and is confirmed by liver biopsy. With proper and appropriate treatment, fluid therapy, supportive care (vitamins, liver-protective herbal extracts (e.g., silymarin, etc.), L-carnitine, and other supplements), and a restrictive, low-fat diet, the liver can regenerate and recover under veterinary supervision. This review study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of hepatic lipidosis in different psittacine species.
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spelling doaj-art-c83b5feae3ba482ab24b457f2585dc7d2025-08-20T02:39:16ZengAcademia.edu JournalsAcademia Biology2837-40102025-05-013210.20935/AcadBiol7744Hepatic lipidosis in psittacine birds—a reviewDražen Đuričić0Maja Lukač1Josip Miljković2Department of Poultry Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.Department of Poultry Diseases with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.Department of Physiology and Radiobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia. Fatty liver or hepatic lipidosis is a mild, progressive metabolic disorder in several domestic animal species and various bird species in which the lipid is accumulated in the hepatocytes. The excessive intake of fatty acids, increased lipolysis, decreased oxidation of fatty acids in the liver, and the decreased ability of the liver to excrete processed fatty acids back into circulation are possible causes of hepatic lipidosis. There is a species, age, sex, and genetic predisposition to fatty liver disease. In parrots, hepatic lipidosis is most common in budgerigars, cockatiels, Amazon parrots, macaws, budgerigars, lovebirds, and young cockatoos. The most common causes of hepatic lipidosis in parrots are inadequate diet, especially with seeds, too frequent or ad libitum feeding, lack of activity, nutritional deficiencies, certain toxins, and hereditary factors, among others. The clinical signs are nonspecific (anorexia, lethargy, weakness, dehydration, weight loss or obesity, vomiting or regurgitation, polydipsia and polyuria, tachycardia, and dyspnea). The diagnosis can be made based on clinical examination, liver enzyme tests, and X-rays and is confirmed by liver biopsy. With proper and appropriate treatment, fluid therapy, supportive care (vitamins, liver-protective herbal extracts (e.g., silymarin, etc.), L-carnitine, and other supplements), and a restrictive, low-fat diet, the liver can regenerate and recover under veterinary supervision. This review study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of hepatic lipidosis in different psittacine species.https://www.academia.edu/129598922/Hepatic_lipidosis_in_psittacine_birds_a_review
spellingShingle Dražen Đuričić
Maja Lukač
Josip Miljković
Hepatic lipidosis in psittacine birds—a review
Academia Biology
title Hepatic lipidosis in psittacine birds—a review
title_full Hepatic lipidosis in psittacine birds—a review
title_fullStr Hepatic lipidosis in psittacine birds—a review
title_full_unstemmed Hepatic lipidosis in psittacine birds—a review
title_short Hepatic lipidosis in psittacine birds—a review
title_sort hepatic lipidosis in psittacine birds a review
url https://www.academia.edu/129598922/Hepatic_lipidosis_in_psittacine_birds_a_review
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AT majalukac hepaticlipidosisinpsittacinebirdsareview
AT josipmiljkovic hepaticlipidosisinpsittacinebirdsareview