Caged birds including parrots always suffer from diseases of Uropygial gland due to, mostly, hypovitaminosisA, immuno-suppressive disease such as feather disease or trauma. When birds suffer from it, they would stop eating, singing, talking & even die shortly without immediate treatment. The secreting gland would be swollen & can easily be seen when you take a look at the swollen part from the mid-line dorsally on the trunk in the rump area above the levator muscles of the pygo-style in most species.

The gland secretion from the uropygial gland is very complex that consists of combination of extruded cells, ester waxes, fatty acids sudanophilic secretive granules and fat. During preening, the secretion is spread over the feathers. Parrot amateurs or fanciers used to think that is a matter of water proof for feather & cold protection. Actually it's only a part of regulating functions of birds, the researched data showed that the secretion from the uropygial gland contains vitamin D precursors. With exposure to the ultra-violet portion of daily sunlight, the secretions will be converted to an active function, vitamin D3 that is then ingested with usual preening.

Correction of Disease of Uropygial Gland

Most problems with Uropygial Gland can be corrected by medical treatments, surgery and dietary management and it depends very much on the owners' attitude & knowledge. Due to secondary to Hypovitaminosis A, infection may also occur in the Uropygial Gland, such as immunosuppressive diseases which occur with Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease ( PBFD ) or trauma. Fungal or Bacterial adenitis does not often be positive. When it does occur, it is usually in PBFD infected birds.

Treatment

As most of the uropygial gland problems should be the result of Hypo-vitaminosis A & poor diet. Long term use of single brand food or single sunflower seeds for parrots and poor hygiene would also be the root of causes.

Correction of dietary condition should be re-considered by fanciers and amateurs for better health of birds.

When the disease of Uropygial Gland occurs, surgical excision should be performed under general anesthesia to minimize damage to the uropygial wick. Application of gently massage on the swollen plug should be practiced after moist hot compresses or perhaps an injection of vitamin A usually rectify the problem in addition with corrected diet.

Vitamin A Supplement

Hypovitaminosis A is always the major problems in Psittacine and exotic birds. Additional vitamin A supplement should be provided with main food for parrots and other birds in order to maintain better feather growing.