Parrot breeder of African Greys, Meyer's and Senegal parrots. Hand fed baby parrots

Iodine Peter S. Sakas DVM, MS

Iodine is essential for normal thyroid gland function. It is a building block of thyroxine, the thyroid hormone,which regulates the metabolic rate of the body. It is also found in related compounds produced by the thyroid gland.

Many seeds are deficient in iodine so a form of supplemental iodine is needed, either in a balanced diet, such as pellets, or a food/water additive such as a balanced vitamin/mineral source. Iodine is especially important in budgies, which appear to have a particular susceptibility to thyroid problems.

Iodine deficiency leads to a condition termed "thyroid dysplasia" which refers to malformation of the thyroid gland. What actually occurs is that the thyroid gland enlarges, undergoes hyperplasia and "goiter" develops. The reason this occurs is that as the level of thyroxine, thyroid hormone, decreases the brain is alerted and sends a message to the thyroid to produce more hormone. Since there is a lack of iodine, a building block of thyroxine, no more can be made. Nonetheless, due to this stimulation by the brain the thyroid gland enlarges in a futile effort to produce more hormone.

The location of the thyroid gland is different in man and birds so that "goiter" manifests itself in different manners. In man the thyroid glands are located in our upper neck, on either side of the voice box. Thus enlargement of the thyroid will produce large swellings in the neck. Fortunately, due to the widespread usage of iodized salt, goiter is not as prevalent as it once was in man.

In birds, as in man, the thyroid glands are on either side of the voice box (syrinx), however, while in man the voice box is in the throat, the syrinx of the bird is located at the branching of the windpipe into each lung, just above the heart. Due to this location of the thyroids in the chest, as they enlarge pressure will be put on the windpipe and syrinx with resultant displacement. This of course results in breathing difficulties, such as a click, wheeze, or characteristic incessant "squeaking" a budgerigar produces when suffering from this condition. This squeak is usually heard on both inspiration and expiration. Many times people feel the bird is "crying" or just vocalizing.

The development of the condition is gradual and worsens over time. The respiratory noises become more noticeable as the thyroids enlarge and quite often the bird is in extreme distress, sometimes forced to hold its head upright to facilitate breathing. It can be further complicated by secondary invasion of bacteria and fungus. The iodine deficiency may also produce some degree of hypothyroidism, thyroid under activity. It is manifested by weight gain, development of fat deposits, lethargy and poor feather quality.

As mentioned earlier thyroid dysplasia is mainly seen in budgies but we have on a rare occasion seen it in cockatiels and canaries, however the potential exists for all birds to suffer from an iodine deficiency. The severity of the condition dictates treatment. a mild case can be corrected by the addition of supplemental iodine in the diet. A severe case may require hospitalization and daily injections of sodium iodide until the condition resolves. The best manner of treatment is prevention, through proper provision of such trace elements in a balanced diet format.

REMEMBER-A bird should make no noticeable respiratory noises. Many conditions can produce respiratory noise/discomfort. Although thyroid dysplasia is a common cause, especially in budgies, do not assume the unusual respiratory condition your bird develops can be correctly merely by the addition of iodine to the diet. On a rare occasion it might, with small birds, however if a disease condition exists, the time lost with incorrect treatment may cause the severity of the disease to intensify if you were wrong. If your bird is making unusual respiratory noises check with your avian veterinarian first-do not take a chance.

Hopefully, these four nutritional problems that we have discussed will help you provide the best possible diet for your pets and breeders. Poor nutrition is costly for pet bird owners in terms of sickness and for breeders with sickness and reduced fertility. Providing a nutritionally balanced diet, which is not oversupplemented, is essential for a long and healthy life.

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