Household food toxins (chocolate/caffeine/salt/alcohol) in parrots

Cause: Theobromine, caffeine, sodium, ethanol, onion/garlic, cyanogenic pits · Type: Toxic

Other names: Home food

Symptoms

• Hyperactivity, tremors, seizures (chocolate/caffeine)
• Severe thirst and polyuria (salt)
• Incoordination (alcohol)
• Anemia (onion/garlic — medium confidence)

How it spreads

Feeding the bird from household food.

Diagnosis

History.

Treatment

Veterinary emergency: supportive. [Update 3] Merck (nutrition): foods the bird owner must avoid: chocolate, drinks containing caffeine, alcohol, salted food and sweets, dairy products, onion, avocado, and apple seeds.

Prevention

A clear list of prohibitions for everyone in the household; fruits without seeds/pits.

Treatment and doses are decided by an avian vet after an exam; Zajel does not publish doses.

Other diseases

• Heavy metal poisoning (lead/zinc)
• Teflon (PTFE) fume toxicity
• Avocado poisoning
• Smoke and nicotine exposure
• Food mold poisoning (aflatoxin)

Sources

• UNVERIFIED-IN-SESSION: general avian veterinary consensus (Merck toxicoses page does not cover foods)
• merckvetmanual.com
• merckvetmanual.com
• merckvetmanual.com