Uric Acid

[asterroc]

Originally posted by zandperl at Uric Acid

Got some bloodwork done on Kappa last month. My vet isn't avian certified (the closest AAV certified avian vet to me is more than 2 hrs drive away), but I've had good luck with VCA Animal Hospitals in the past, my vet does do birds, and she's been consulting with other vets to make sure she learns more as needed. She told me after the bloodwork last month that she needed to consult with other vets on Kappa's uric acid test. We finally talked on the phone yesterday, and, well, let's start with this: partway through the conversation I felt the need to ask her right out "Should I be concerned or panicking?" and she replied "Concerned." I'm not convinced she's right.

Kappa's uric acid (which tests kidney function) is at 17 (I didn't catch the units, but for this test in humans the units are mg/dL). Normal healthy birds are supposed to be in the range of 2-10. Kidney disease is diagnosed if it's at a level of 20. The vet recommended two things: since Kappa's currently boarding with them for a week and a half anyway, they're going to give her sub-cutaneous fluids daily; and although I already give her Sunshine factor (palm fruit oil, for the Omega-3 fatty acids), she recommended I apply it to her veggie mix daily rather than when I make the mix. They're also going to take two more blood samples: a tiny one partway through her stay and do a test in-house on the hematocrit (I think it was), which tells about her red blood cell levels, which can tell if she's having problems rapidly; and another full blood panel at the end of her stay (which needs to be sent away) to see if the sub-cu fluids have made any significant change.

Basically, the vet was talking about extending Kappa's life, that in some cases something like this can be fatal quickly, or it could only shorten the bird's life by a year. I'm trying not to be devastated (my first cockatiel passed away from kidney failure). I'm definitely worried. Kappa's only 6 years old (if I'm counting right), and dusky conures have a normal life expectancy of 25-30 years. I got her after I lost two cockatiels in a relatively short time span, and I picked her species partly due to the longer life span than 'tiels.

*sigh* Anyone else have experience in this situation, where you have warning signs of a disease and have to manage it for the rest of the bird's life?

Comments

[meig.livejournal.com]

How was the blood collected for the panel? Toenail clip or direct draw from a vein?

Also, what could be the common factor with your birds that could be disposing them to this issue?

[meig.livejournal.com]

Also, was this the first time her uric acid levels have been elevated or have you seen elevated levels previously?

[zandperl.livejournal.com]

This is the first time she had a full blood panel; I'm not sure why I never convinced my previous vet to do full bloodwork. They're going to monitor her hemo-something (hemocrit?) while she's there also, as apparently that's related to the uric acid and can be tested in-house, and then before I take her home from boarding they'll take another sample for a full blood panel. I'm looking at another $200-$300 for the sub-cu fluids and tests.

[meig.livejournal.com]

Sometimes there can be an aberration and the uric acid can be elevated once and then lower the next time, which is why it is recommended to test twice. I'm hoping this will be the case here.

[zandperl.livejournal.com]

My understanding is draw from a vein, b/c they needed more blood for a complete panel than could be gotten from a toenail clip. The vet also talked a lot about being careful not to traumatize her too much while holding her, so that also leads me to thinking vein. She seems to think that it's easy to essentially scare a bird to death, which I'd never heard of before, but even if it's weird it's the sort of weird that protects Kappa so it doesn't bother me.

With Peeper, my understanding was that it was due to a lifetime of being on seeds, that seeds predispose birds to kidney problems. FWIW Peeper was 16 when she passed away due to kidney failure, which is a respectable age (though I do know 'tiels can live longer). With Kappa, no clue. I've started a list of foods that are supposed to be good for kidney problems and/or have high Omega-3 fatty acids (which the vet said is good for this), and I'll ask about them all. I'll also ask if there are any foods we should be avoiding; she already mentioned meat, which I never give her.