Open Access Library Journal
How to cite this paper: Hedayati, M., Cheraghchi Bashi, M. and Peighambari, S.M. (2014) A Case Report of Hepatic Lipidosis
(HL) in Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis) Fed by High Caloric Broiler Diet in Iran. Open Access Library Journal, 1: e476.
http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1100476
A Case Report of Hepatic Lipidosis (HL) in
Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis) Fed by
High Caloric Broiler Diet in Iran
M. Hedayati1,2*, M. Cheraghchi Bashi2, S. M. Peighambari2
1Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Malayer University, Malayer, Iran
2Department of Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Received 9 April 2014; revised 19 May 2014; accepted 29 June 2014
Copyright © 2014 by authors and OALib.
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY).
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Abstract
Hepatic lipidosis (HL) is common in birds fed all seed, high caloric or high-fat diets, especially
psittacine birds. The most common cause of avian HL is obesity related to over feeding. This case
report describes the clinical and pathological features of 10 Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis)
fed by commercial broiler diet and were presented for depression and anorexia, with severe he-
patopathy associated hepatic lipidosis (HL). The patients died 4 days after presentation, and se-
vere hepatomegaly was observed at necropsy. Based on histopathological findings, the acute he-
patic lipidosis (HL) was found.
Keywords
Common Myna, Diet, Hepatic Lipidosis (HL), Iran
Subject Areas: Animal Behavior, Veterinary Medicine
1. Introduction
Myna is one of the most companion birds in Iran. The lack of knowledge about nutrition for this bird with their
owners and miss-feeding with high caloric diet which are not specific for pet birds and inappropriate cages with
not enough space for bird movement are reasons to cause metabolic disease in this type of bird. The most nota-
ble metabolic disease in myna in Iran is foun d to be hepatic lipidosis.
2. Case History
In this case, 10 Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis) were fed by broiler diet and presented with depression,
*
Corresponding author.

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anorexia and respiratory distress signs to veterinary clinic of Tehran university in Iran. High energy in this seed
was about 3100 Kcal/kg of seed , and these cages could not provide enough sp ace for birds to freely movement.
On physical examination, body condition scoring was increased about 4. In palpation of body not uniformity,
and radiographic examination of patients was used. On radiographs, hepatomegaly or distress in bone were not
seen. Primary treatment for these birds consider of clinical signs with B-complex syrup and correction of feed-
ing by vegetables and fruits then 4 days after treatment all of birds were died and in necropsy, gross findings in-
cluded excessive subcutaneous fat deposits and severe hepatomegaly around organs were noticed. The liver was
enlarged, gold-brown, and friable. Collected liver tissue was fixed in 10% formalin: paraffin embedded, sec-
tioned, and stained with H & E method for light microscopic examination. On the microscopical observation
(Figure 1), the hepatocytes were swollen with variable sized clear vacuoles that pushed the nuclei peripherally
which were due to fatty change of hepatocytes. However, pykonosis of hepatocytes was not prominent. It sug-
gested there was no hepatic necrosis. The histopathological findings were highly suggestive of a severe hepato-
pathy resulting from HL.
3. Discussion
Hepatic lipidosis or fatty liver disease is one of the gradually disease in avian species. There was saw the num-
ber of birds are very ill, life-threatening ly so, or possibly having died suddenly. Often the owners lack of know-
ledge of risk of feeding with the seeds, peanuts or other oily foods or highly high caloric foods to the birds
which they obviously loves to eat will lead to a very serious problem for them. These are truly cases of “loving
your bird to death”. Any bird can fall victim to fatty liver disease. Most commonly cockatiel, lovebird, mynah,
and Amazons are diagnosed with this silent killer. However, ascites is rarely seen in birds with hepatopathy and
is more associated with concurrent cardiac disease [1]. The diseased birds can die without premonitory, or signs
can be nonspecific [1]. Birds that are on all seed diets or are being fed high energy diets and receiving little ex-
ercise or not had enough movement are prone to fatty livers. Pets dealing with this disease may show a variety
of signs including, but not limited to oily feathers, feather picking, decreased exercise tolerance, obesity, diarr-
hea, ataxia (wobbliness), anorexia-complete/sudden, poor growth and reduced disease resistance, sudden illness
or death. When these birds presented to veterinarian clinic, these signs along with palpation findings the en-
larged abdomens where the edges of the liver may actually be felt and sometimes yellow urates are noted. Fur-
ther diagnostics are usually recommended and may include serum analysis, radiographs (x-rays), ultrasounds
and/or biopsies. Fat accumulation in the liver is caused by increased fatty acid production due to the high fat diet.
These fatty acids are not immediately being used, so they get stor ed in the liver. Once there, they interfere with
the liver’s function. Important nutrients such as calcium suffer impaired absorption and, as sequelae of both diet
Figure 1. Microscopic assay in hepatocyte and fatty change in hepatocytes.

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and disease vitamin/mineral deficiencies exist. This problem does not occur overnight and, likewise, the return
to health is not immediate. The basis of treatment is elimination of fat in the diet replaced by healthy foods such
as pellets, fresh vegetables, and fresh fruits. Any bird suffering from fatty liver may need supportive care such as
fluids, medications to decrease blood ammonia levels, and treatment of secondary infections.
Diagnostics of HL in companion birds the first procedure done physical examination, an enlarged liver can be
visualized by moisturing the skin over the liver as it extends beyond the caudal border of the sternum [2]. An
enlarged liver will displace other organs in the coelomic cavity and this may be recognized on palpation and ra-
diographically, the margins of the liver should not extend past the sternum on the lateral view [2]. With en-
largement there will be a dorsal deflection of the proventriculus and caudodorsal displacement of ventriculus (to
level of acetabulum) [2]. There is a loss of the hourglass cardiac-hepatic silhouette on the dorsoventral view and
the liver will extend beyond an imaginary line drawn from the scapula to acetabulum [2]. Contrast studies are
useful in determining the extent of liver changes, as ascites or an enlarged fluid-filled proventriculus can pro-
duce the appearance of hepatomegaly. Radiographs are indicated before endoscopic or surgical evaluations are
considered to rule-out concurrent disease processes and determine the size and location of the liver. Ultrasound
can be a useful diagnostic tool in many liver diseases. Even the livers in birds as small as budgerigars can be
imaged with a small probe (7.5 MHz finger probe). The air sacs are avoided by keeping the probe on the ventral
midline along the caudal rim of the sternum. Ultrasound -guided fine needle aspirates can be considered for birds
presenting as anesthetic risks. Elevations in serum analysis aspartate amino transferase (AST, SGOT) and lactate
dehydrogenase (LDH) can occur in liver disease, but are not specific for the liver [1] [3]. The best use of these
tests is to evaluate them in combination with the results of other more specific tests, such as creatinine kinase
(CK), a muscle specific enzyme, to exclude muscle damage as a cause of the elevations [4]. SGOT is found in
kidney, spleen, hear t, skeletal muscle, small in testine, lung, brain, as well as the live r [1] [3]. The most common
causes of serum elevation are with liver disease and muscle damage [3]. Elevations of this enzyme have been
reported with vitamin E and selenium deficiencies, and intoxication from pesticides and carbon tetrachlorides
[3]. Lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) is a highly labile enzyme that rises and falls more quickly than AST [1] [3].
Large amounts of this enzyme are found in myocardium, kidney, liver, and muscle [4]. Hemolysis of the serum
and hepatic diseases in psittacines can result in elevated levels of LDH [3]. Serum bile acid measurement is a
liver function test becau se extraction, conj ugation , and secretion of bile a cids are all function s of the liver [1] [5].
When liver function is impaired, bile acids are not properly reabsorbed from the blood and the proportion of ex-
creted bile acids reaching the peripheral circulation increases [3] [6]. Elevations h ave correlated w ell with liver
disease in many avian species [3] [4]. It is recommended to submit a single, fasted (3 to 4 hours) sample for bile
acids determinations in birds [4] [6]. Bile acids are labile in plasma and samples should be run within 48 to 72
hours of collection. Cholesterol is a major lipid that is a precursor of all steroid hormones and bile acids. The
source is animal proteins in the diet and it is synthesized in the liver. Increased serum levels can be associated
with high fat diets, h ypothyroidism, liver disease, starva tion, budgies with xanthomatosis, obese birds, and very
high levels usually accompany lipemia, especially in Amazons [3]. Decreases in albumin can be a non-specific
indicator of chronic liver disease, as albumin is manufactured by the liver [3]. This decrease will occur very late
in the course of the disease [3]. A yellow appearance of the avian plasma or serum should not be mistaken for
jaundice, as birds do not produce appreciable amounts of bilirubin. The yellow color is suspected to be due to
carotene pigments from the diet. Most chronic diseases, including hepatic diseases can induce a depr essio n ane-
mia. The definitive diagnosis of liver disease is obtained by a liver biopsy and histopathology [2] [3]. This not
only describes the pathological process, but also provides information about the degree of change, which is im-
portant for prognosis. The liver can be biopsied from three approaches; percutaneous, endoscopic, and by lapa-
rotomy [3]. With suspected liver disease, pre treatment with vitamin K is warranted. The liver is the site of vi-
tamin K dependent coagulation factor synthesis [3]. Excessive hemorrhage can accompany chronic hepatic dis-
eases [3]. The indications for a biopsy are persistently elevated liver enzymes, radiographic changes, and a li-
mited or absent response to therapy. General therapy although the best treatment plan should include a specific
therapy directed at the causativ e agent, this is frequently not possib le. In many liver diseases the specific etiol o-
gy is unknown, or is an agent that is nonresponsive to current treatments (viruses, amyloid), or is no longer
present (toxins). Supportive care is important, especially with acutely ill birds. If the bird can be supported
through an acute episode and then maintained on a regimen designed to minimize liver insults, the bird can en-
joy varying intervals of good health. Oxygen therapy is helpful for birds with anemia, ascites, and hepatomegaly
which results in respiratory compromise. Excessive ascitic fluid can be aspirated to provide immediate respira-

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Table 1. Ingredients of diets (DANE PARS® company of seed in IRAN).
Energy 3100 kcal./kg
Protein 21%
Calcium 0.9%
tory relief as long as appropriate precautions are taken to prevent severe albumin depletion and hypovolemia.
Diuretics such as furosemide can be used to control ascites. Fluid therapy is important as many of these birds are
not eating or drinking enough to meet their needs. With severely compromised birds, subcutaneous fluids may
be safer initially, until a catheter (IV or IO) can be placed if needed. For hepatic diseases, an easily digested,
low-residue diet is recommended. Vitamin supplementation is also important. Lactulosec given orally changes
the intestinal pH and prevents the absorption of ammonia [3]. Select disease conditions metabolic disorders of
the liver include: hepatic lipidosis [1] [3]. In Indian hill mynahs, a viral or metabolic abnormality is suspected
[5]. Fatty liver disease: Fatty liver disease (hepatic lipidosis) is an insidious conditio n that is poorly understood.
It is a common hepatic lesion seen in budgies, cockatiels, and Amazons [2]. The typical presentation is an
acutely ill bird. The clinical signs include sudden and complete anorexia, depression, dyspnea, and ataxia [2].
Commonly the birds are obese and most have been on all-seed diets for the major part of their lives [3]. Th e liv-
er is usually palpably enlarged and yellow in color. The probable pathogenesis is by an excessive lipid accumu-
lation in the liver caused by fatty acid synthes is exceeding their utilization [1]. Some possible etiologies include
endocrine diseases (hypothyrodism or diabetes mellitus), any disease condition interfering with nutrient diges-
tion or absorption, or a primary defect in fat metabolism [1]. Often these birds will have elevated bile acids and
commonly the other liver enzymes may be normal. A liver biopsy is important for prognosis. Therapy is suppor-
tive [3]. According to a recent report [1], it is suggested that this condition may be genetically predisposed be-
cause of a species-oriented physiology. Some other possible causes are stress, which is related to disease expo-
sure (immunologic stress), crowding, and nutritional stress related to periodic starvation by diet changes [1].
This patients we re fed DANE PARS® company seed that highly energy and proteins (Table 1), Fruits and vege-
tables were some supplied. In this seed, high level carbohydrate diets may serve to increase the accumulation of
fat in hepatocytes [6] and this cases not enough space to movement that severe occurrence of HL. HL results
from increased fatty acids to the liver caused by high-fat diet, dietary deficiency of lipotropic factors such as
choline, biotin, methionine, diabetes mellitus, thyroid dysfunction, toxicosis, and stero id administration [1]. Ac-
cordingly, overfeeding of a high caloric diet caused the bird’s obesity and thus induced HL. Because of this seed
designed to broiler chicken with 3200 kcal per 1 kilogram of feed and energy requirement in mynah bird was
2000 kcal pe r 1 kg of feed [7].
The recommended Diet of myna: 100-gram bird requires 25 kcal daily to meet maintenance energy require-
ments, depending on activity level and any additional energy demands (such as cold temperatures). An example
of a diet that meets known nutrient needs for one bird includes: 25 grams proprietary soft bill pellet (such as one
of the above mentioned brands) 15 grams of diced fruit, 7 grams of mixed vegetables, 5 grams of minced leafy
greens [8].
Acknowledgements
This study was done in central laboratory of Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
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