| The
color of the urine in birds varies with specific gravity, the concurrent
ingestion of water-soluble vitamin products (e.g., vitamin B complex produces
yellow urine), ingestion of pigment-containing foodstuffs or medications,
normal constituents of the bird's plasma, amount of uric acid and feces
mixed with the urine, concurrent existence of certain diseases, and liver
disease. Normal or expected colors are green, greenish-white, and berry
(blue-red from berry pigments in rare instances). Nonpolyuric birds will
produce only a very small quantity of urine and a variable quantity of urates.
Expected urate colors are pure white, off-white, pale yellow, or light beige.
Liver disease consistently produces urates that are greenish (bilverdinuria),
yellow, or mustard. Considerable species variation occurs in color tendency
traits. The following are color findings that are not consistent with established
guidelines. Red or blue - often due to ingestion of berries or other colored
foodstuffs. Reddish or brown - plumbism may cause hemoglobinura in Amazon
parrots. Green (biliverdinuria) - early liver disease. Icteric (dark yellow)
- advanced liver disease; macaws produce a dark yellow urine and urates
in liver disease. Chartreuse, mustard, or orange - severe liver disease
as with Chlamydia or end-stage liver disease where the liver is unable to
process vitamins and foods. |
