Ask Lafeber

Ask the Vet November 18 – Lineolated parakeet

In a male 7 yr old Lineolated Parakeet, CBC showed the plasma color being slightly icteric, all other things in the CBC were within normal limits, would you be concerned about liver issues and do further testing? This particular bird had a bad stress reaction to having the blood taken, he was very lethargic and not himself for 24 hours after which really worried me and so I am hesitant to put him through it again. He shows no outward signs of illness.

Hi Jane,

Here is Dr. Tully’s response:

It would be very unusual for the plasma to be icteric. The plasma color is often “yellow” that would make it appear icteric, but this is considered normal.  A bile acids test can be performed to assess liver function. But if everything else is normal including the color of the urine and feces then it would highly unlikely that the bile acid level would be elevated indicating a liver issue. Yes, a lineolated parakeet is small and blood collection is stressful. If the bird had difficulty last time, I would be hesitant in this case, from what you describe, to collect blood for a bile acid test. I believe the plasma coloration is normal and often attributed to vitamin A.