Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Hypothyroidism causing feather loss and fat buildup in a scarlet macaw
By Oglesbee, B L·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·1992·Department of Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Hypothyroidism in a scarlet macaw.
- Species:
- bird
Plain-English summary
A male scarlet macaw was diagnosed with hypothyroidism after showing symptoms like delayed feather growth, feather loss all over its body, and unusual fat buildup on its legs and belly. Tests revealed some blood abnormalities, and a biopsy showed skin issues related to the feather loss. The bird did not respond to initial stimulation tests, but treatment with L-thyroxine, a thyroid hormone replacement, successfully restored normal feathering and eliminated the fat deposits. After treatment, the macaw's thyroid hormone levels returned to normal.
People also search for: scarlet macaw feather loss · hypothyroidism in birds · L-thyroxine for macaws
Abstract
A diagnosis of hypothyroidism was confirmed by use of thyrotropin stimulation testing in an imported male scarlet macaw. Clinical signs included delayed molt; uniform, diffuse contour feather loss over the entire body; and excessive fat deposition over the legs and ventral portion of the abdomen. Clinical signs were associated with mild, non-regenerative anemia; mild leukocytosis; heterophilia; hypoalbuminemia; and hypercholesterolemia. Histologic examination of punch biopsy specimens from regions of feather loss revealed ortho- and parakeratotic hyperkeratosis of the epidermis and moderate, widespread vacuolar degeneration and necrosis in the follicular epithelium. The bird failed to respond to provocative thyrotropin stimulation testing. Treatment with L-thyroxine (0.2 micrograms/kg of body weight, q 12 h) resulted in normal feathering, elimination of fat deposits, and adequate serum thyroxine concentrations at 4 and 12 hours after treatment.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1289344/