Moustache Parakeet with long beak

[BirdMann]

I am looking at a 4 year old moustached parakeet that has a beak that has grown long in the last several months. I want to have a vet check it because people tell me it could be fatty liver disease. Is this fatal? The stress of changing homes is probably not good either. Any comments would be appreciated. I can send a photo, but don't know how on this site.

[Monica]

Liver and kidney dysfunctions can cause overgrown beaks.... and these problems are normally due to a diet lacking in vitamins and nutrients. There could be other causes as well, such as not being able to keep their beaks in shape via toys and such. Getting a full blood panel and such may help to determine all whats wrong with the moustache, and what can be done to get him in better shape.

I have two conures, one who doesn't really destroy hard toys to keep her beak in shape, and the other who has an injury which caused scissor beaks.. thus, I must trim both of their beaks. With one conure, I just use some rudimentary items for trimming and smoothing out, and have no issues... the other, I must use a dremel, and it takes two people to hold him and trim his beak.

[Cindy215]

Originally Posted by BirdMann

I am looking at a 4 year old moustached parakeet that has a beak that has grown long in the last several months. I want to have a vet check it because people tell me it could be fatty liver disease. Is this fatal? The stress of changing homes is probably not good either. Any comments would be appreciated. I can send a photo, but don't know how on this site.

Yes I'd take him to an avian vet. Especially the fact that it's overgrown rather quickly. It can be liver and some people say with proper diet the liver will regenerate.

You can start a detox quickly that wont hurt him either. While you're waiting for results and a plan from your vet. You want to review what I'm saying with your vet not just follow it on your own in other words. But I'm not posting anything radical. But your doctor needs to come up with a dx and a plan working with you for your particular bird.

You can make juices from carrot, wheatgrass, beet, apple, celery.

You want a really good basic diet of healthy dark leafy greens, veggies, a bit of fruit and grains. You want to omit hot peppers it's a stimulant for the liver.

Ask about Essential Fatty acids.

If it is liver, your doctor will tell you to keep fats really low, since there is a buildup of them as it is.

Allow exercise. Flying is best if he's a flyer...there's no other cardiovascular option and muscle building too. I have a Budgie with lipomas doing great flying all over the place. (fatty tumors not fatty liver). Second option is walking around the house. Not to strain, though he may not tolerate alot and shouldnt be overworked or panting and puffing. Just a few minutes, like 5 minutes a day is fine.

Ask about pellets, too imo there should be no pellets and no meats. Especially red meat it's acidic and you want alkaline. Not to mention tough on the organs anyway.

There's alot of heavy duty stuff in pellets for a liver to process and they need to be on a cleansing type diet

There are other things they will do if he gets a liver dx ...other supplements.

I believe they will work up a diet that is strong in B12. B (folic acid), choline, and methionine, and advise you to give beta carotine foods (good for all birds anyway).

I hope it's not and I never lived with a bird with fatty liver dx but I believe it is not always fatal. My Budgie with lipomas I didnt think would last a few months and it's over a year now and she's well. But lipomas are different they never really go away. Not like a liver which can heal, I believe. Or at least improve.