kidneys

[sean11]

does anyone have solutions for kidney problems in my birds i've just lost a male orange cheek waxbill to a kidney failure and am wondering if its a water problem or diet like to much cucumber or what i dont know the vet just said his kidneys had spots on them any info would be great

[djb78]

I don't know much about kidney problems will leave that to the experts. I do know that adding to much supplements to the water can have affects on the liver and kidneys especially vitamin D3. Do you add supplements to the water and if you do how often?

[Trilobite]

Sean I find it extrodinary that the vet only told you that and only that. A bit of backround questioning from him/her and yourself would have helped and helped justified your $. Things like parasites diet(malnutrition, fatty diets), toxins (aka medication and suppliments etc) can all be linked to "liver failure" ie "liver failure" is very generic and the spots could be symptoms of many things. I think anyone using vet services should be prepared to ask a few more questions rather then accept "liver failure" as an answer. Would we do the same with our doctors, dont be afraid to ask more questions and if your doctor or vet do not reciprocate or doesnt explain it like your a 10 yo kids then I think you should think about who your using. Sorry to hear about the OB.

[Myzomela]

White spots on the kidneys sounds like small granulomas or abscesses ( usually caused by bacteria, but can be viral, parasitic or even cancerous) or accumulations of urates (the white waste product seen in bird droppings, usually seen with severe dehydration or kidney failure). This is my take on it from the limited information you have been given. I am pretty sure it has nothing to do with excessive amounts of cucumber.

Ideally, swabs from the kidneys should have been sent for bacterial culture and samples from all the major organs sent for histopathological examination, but these all cost money.

With birds of the value you are talking about, these costs may have been well worthwhile.

I agree with Trilobite that you should get a bit more information than what you have been given.. A stained smear from the affected area may have given additional useful information and wouldn't have been difficult or costly to do at the time of the post mortem examination.

The questions you ask here you should ask your vet who performed the necropsy. He/she is in the best position to answer them, but thanks for sharing on the forum. Keep asking until you are satisfied with the answers.