Table 4.
Treatments of hemochromatosis in selected avian species
| Therapeutic agent | Species | Doses | Action | Adverse effects | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deferiprone | Chickens and pigeons | 50 mg/kg PO q12 h | Significantly reduced iron concentration in liver and feces | Weight gain, decreased serum zinc levels, 30% mortality in chickens | Good gastrointestinal absorption at this dose |
| 70 mg/kg PO q24 h | Significantly reduced iron concentration in liver and feces | Weight gain, decreased serum zinc levels, 30% mortality in chickens | |||
| Hornbills (n = 3) | 75 mg/kg PO q24 h for 90 d | Significantly decreased hepatic iron concentration | |||
| Deferoxamine | Chestnut-fronted macaw (Ara severa) (n = 1) | 50 mg/kg IM q12 h for 14 d | Reduced hepatic iron concentration | Associated with a low-iron diet |