Vitamin A deficiency

Vitamin A deficiency (hypovitaminosis A) is one of the most common nutritional problems in parrots that eat mainly seeds. It develops slowly, over weeks and months, so owners often notice it only when infections appear. The good news is that it can be almost entirely prevented with a proper diet.

Vitamin A is needed for healthy mucous membranes in the mouth, nose, eyes, respiratory and digestive tracts, for the skin, feathers and resistance to infection. When there is not enough of it, the mucous membranes change: they become dry, thickened and horny. Such membranes protect the body less well, so bacteria and fungi cause inflammation more easily.

The most common causes:

• an all-seed diet – sunflower, millet and canary seed contain very little vitamin A and beta-carotene
• too little orange and dark green vegetables in the diet
• old or long-stored food in which the vitamins have broken down
• chronic liver or digestive diseases that interfere with the use of vitamins

The liver can store a supply of vitamin A for several months. That is why signs do not appear immediately after a change in diet, but only once the reserves have been used up. It also means that a bird that seems to cope well on an all-seed diet may already have a hidden deficiency.

Larger parrots (Amazons, African greys, cockatoos, eclectus parrots) are the most susceptible, but the problem is also seen in budgerigars, cockatiels and other small parrots.

The signs appear gradually and are often inconspicuous at first.

Mouth, nose and eyes:

• white or yellowish lumps and plaques in the mouth, under the tongue or on the palate
• blunted or worn-down tiny projections on the palate (choanal papillae)
• nasal discharge, sneezing, blocked nostrils
• swelling around the eyes or watery, cloudy eyes

Respiratory system:

• laboured breathing, wheezing or rattling
• open-beak breathing in more severe infections
• frequent, recurring sinus and respiratory tract infections

Skin, feathers and feet:

• untidy, ruffled plumage, increased feather loss, faded colours
• dry, flaky skin and excessive scratching
• rough, thickened scales on the legs and sores or swellings on the soles of the feet

General condition: poorer appetite, less interest in the surroundings, a tendency towards repeated infections.

Don't wait if you notice:

• difficulty breathing, open-beak breathing or tail bobbing with every breath
• lumps or plaques in the mouth that make it hard for the bird to swallow or cause it to refuse food
• severe swelling around the eye or on the face
• a bird that sits fluffed up, drowsy and has not eaten for more than a day
• open wounds or severe swelling on the soles of the feet

Small birds lose strength quickly, so even one day of waiting can be too long.

The vet will ask you what the bird eats and examine its mouth, nostrils, eyes and feet. If there are plaques or lumps, they may take a swab or a sample to find out whether there is a bacterial or fungal infection. Blood tests or an X-ray are sometimes needed.

Treatment usually includes:

• vitamin A supplementation prescribed and dosed by the vet
• antibiotics or antifungal medication if there is an infection, depending on test results
• cleaning or removal of larger abscesses in the mouth
• a plan for a gradual switch to a better diet

Do not give vitamin A on your own initiative. Too much vitamin A is also harmful and can damage the liver, bones and skin.

• If the bird is weak or has difficulty breathing, put it in a warm, quiet, dimly lit place, away from draughts.
• Keep it apart from other birds until it has been examined by a vet.
• Wash the food and water bowls every day and keep the cage clean and dry.
• Offer food it likes, but do not force-feed it or pour water into its beak.
• Provide smooth and rough perches of different thicknesses to take the pressure off the soles of the feet.

Birds convert beta-carotene from plants into vitamin A. That is why a varied diet is the best protection:

• orange vegetables and fruit: carrot, pumpkin, sweet potato (cooked), red pepper, mango, papaya
• dark green vegetables: broccoli, kale, Swiss chard, dandelion leaves
• good-quality pellets formulated for the bird species, which contain balanced vitamins

Seeds should be only part of the diet, not the whole of it. Make the switch to new food gradually, over several weeks, and check that the bird is eating enough. Suddenly taking seeds away can lead to starvation, especially in small parrots. If possible, weigh the bird from time to time on a kitchen scale so that you notice any weight loss in time.

Do not give avocado (it is poisonous to birds), and wash vegetables thoroughly.

Vitamin A deficiency develops quietly, but it has serious consequences for the respiratory system, skin and feet. If your parrot eats mainly seeds, now is a good time to gradually introduce vegetables and pellets. If there are any breathing problems or lumps in the mouth, contact an avian vet.