Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Haloperidol use for feather picking in pet parrots 2012-2022
By Hausmann Farris, Katharine E & Doss, Grayson A·Published in Journal of avian medicine and surgery·2025·Department of Surgical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Use of Haloperidol in Companion Psittacine Birds: 19 Cases (2012-2022).
- Species:
- bird
Plain-English summary
Nineteen pet parrots were treated with the antipsychotic medication haloperidol to help with issues like feather plucking and excessive sexual behavior. Most of the birds, including grey parrots and umbrella cockatoos, showed a positive response to the treatment, with about two-thirds improving after starting the medication. However, nearly half of the birds experienced side effects, such as lethargy, which could sometimes be managed by adjusting the dose or stopping the medication altogether. Overall, haloperidol was found to be effective for many parrots, but pet owners should be aware of potential side effects and discuss them with their veterinarian.
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Abstract
The antipsychotic medication haloperidol has been used for many years in avian medicine as a pharmacologic therapy for refractory feather destructive behavior in pet parrots. However, despite its common use, there are no published studies evaluating its efficacy and adverse effects in psittacine birds. The goal of this study was to report the signalment, clinical presentation, dosing regimen, response to therapy, and adverse effects of companion psittacine birds prescribed oral haloperidol therapy at a single veterinary referral hospital. Included cases were pet psittacine birds that were prescribed haloperidol between 2012 and 2022 and had sufficient follow-up information available to assess efficacy and adverse effects. Nineteen parrots met the case criteria for inclusion. Haloperidol was prescribed for 17 birds with feather destructive behavior, 1 bird for excessive sexual behavior, and 1 bird prophylactically after surgery of the uropygial gland. The most common species prescribed haloperidol were grey parrots (n = 5) (), umbrella cockatoos (n = 4) (), andspp. (n = 2). Most (12/18 [67%]) birds were classified as having a positive response to haloperidol administration. The initial median (interquartile range) total daily dose for all birds in the study was 0.24 mg/kg (0.18-0.4 mg/kg). Adverse effects were reported in 9/19 (47%) birds with grey parrots being the most common species displaying adverse effects. The most common adverse effect reported was lethargy in 5/19 (26%) birds. Some adverse effects were mitigated by adjusting dosing, and more severe adverse effects resolved after discontinuing haloperidol. This study provides descriptive data for a commonly used antipsychotic medication to assist veterinarians treating avian patients.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39772381/