title: Diet manipulation as treatment for elevated serum iron parameters in captive raggiana bird of paradise (Paradisaea raggiana).
abstract: Elevated serum iron parameters were lowered through dietary manipulation in captive Raggiana bird of paradise (Paradisaea raggiana). Study birds were part of a captive breeding program consisting of two males and one female, captive born, 3.5-9 yr of age. Serum iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), percentage saturation, body weight, albumin, aspartate aminotransferase, and hematocrit were monitored at regular intervals for 2.5 yr. Routine diet consisted of a variety of fruits, vegetables, a multivitamin supplement, and a commercial low iron avian pellet, with a dietary iron content of 55 mg/kg (dry matter basis) or 1.12 mg iron/bird/day. Dietary treatment involved removal of the commercial avian pellet for 30 days at 6-to 12-mo intervals, resulting in an iron content of 42 mg/kg (dry matter basis) or 0.64 mg iron/bird/day. Average serum iron and TIBC were decreased by 75% (TIBC) to 80% (serum iron) ofpretreatment values after one 30-day treatment. Average iron saturation levels were lowered by 10% of pretreatment values after one 30-day treatment. Average hematocrit, albumin, aspartate aminotransferase, and body weight remained unchanged. No adverse effects were noted through the 2.5-yr evaluation period, and breeding behavior was undisturbed. Periodic removal of low iron commercial pellets in the diet of captive bird of paradise is a safe and effective method for lowering serum iron values without need for handling. Periodic application of this technique may be useful as a preventive tool to maintain appropriate serum iron values in avian species susceptible to iron storage disease.
authors.affiliation: Woodland Park Zoo, 601 North 59th Street, Seattle, Washington 98103, USA. kelly.helmick@zoo.org
authors.forename: Kelly E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Helmick
authors.forename: Erin L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Kendrick
authors.forename: Ellen S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Dierenfeld
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis*; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D046109:Passeriformes / Q000097:blood*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D007501:Iron