Avian Chemical Profiling

Renal Assessment
Normal uric acid values unfortunately do not prove that kidney function is normal, as uric acid is not a sensitive renal function test. Polyuria, endoscopic abnormalities, or radiographic changes should point the clinician toward further assessment, such as renal biopsy.

Glucose
In most profiles this value will be normal. Elevations over 900-1000 should direct the clinician to a possible diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. Very low values are usually due to samples left in contact with cells for 1-2 or more days or bacterial contamination that can occur during sampling and processing

Calcium
In most profiles, this value will be normal. True elevations can be seen during ovulation. True depressions may correlate with neurological signs and malnutrition history. Normal values do not rule out metabolic bone disease or other disorders in calcium metabolism.

Protein
True elevations are seen in inflammatory disorders and hemoconcentration due to dehydration. True depressions are seen in acute blood loss, starvation, and protein-losing enteropathies.

Iron
Disorders of iron metabolism present problems in mynahs, toucans, and occasionally a variety of other species. Hemochromatosis is characterized by excess iron pigment in the liver and other organs associated with cellular pathology. Current thinking suggests that this disorder is largely a results from excess absorption and uptake of dietary iron, rather than actual dietary iron content. Plasma iron assays have been employed to screen for this disease. Clinical observations lead to the conclusions that circulating iron levels are either not diagnostic or not predictive of hemochromatosis. Furthermore, non-visible sample hemolysis can contribute significantly to total iron levels assayed. Plasma ferritin levels would be an ideal assay, but no commercial radioimmunoassay reagent is currently available for clinical usage. Assessment and diagnosis of hemochromatosis currently requires liver biopsy.

Cholesterol
No clinical studies are published documenting the intrepretative value of plasma cholesterol in pet birds.