Diabetes Mellitus in Cockatiels
Bird · Nymphicus hollandicus · typical adult weight 0.07–0.13 kg
2 cited drugs treat Diabetes Mellitus in cockatiels: Glipizide, Insulin, NPH (Isophane).
Endocrine disorder of insulin deficiency or resistance. Insulin therapy is mainstay in dogs and cats; oral hypoglycaemics (acarbose, glipizide) play niche roles. Weight management and dietary modification are central in feline cases.
The overview above describes Diabetes Mellitus across species; the citations below are the ExoticRx dose rules scoped to cockatiels — a reference list, not new species-specific clinical guidance.
Glipizide(Glucotrol)
Endocrine| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 0.5 mg/kg | q12h | Diabetes mellitus | Weak | 714. Pollock C, Pledger T, Renner M. Diabetes mellitus in avian species. Proc Annu Assoc Avian Med; 2001:151-155. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.491 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.18 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Birds).Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
| PO | 2 mg/kg | q8-12h | Diabetes mellitus | Weak | 65. Beaufrère H.Personal observation. 2017/2020. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.491 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.18 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Birds). — PRINTED DETAIL MISSING FROM THIS RULE (retrieved 2026-08-19): *"2 mg/kg PO q8-12h⁶⁵ | Cockatiels/diabetes mellitus; reduced blood glucose and fructosamine in one case"* — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6e, Table 5.18 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Birds). Same entry's header row prints the missing caution: *"Sulfonylurea antidiabetic; contraindicated in ketotic patients"*. Ref 65 resolves to "Beaufrère H. Personal observation. 2017/2020." The same table prints a second cockatiel row at 0.5 mg/kg PO q12h (ref 714 = Pollock 2001), and Current Therapy in Avian Medicine and Surgery p.396 caps published avian protocols at 1 mg/kg PO BID.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
Insulin, NPH (Isophane)(Humulin N, Novolin N)
Endocrine| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 1.4 IU/kg | q12-24h | Diabetes mellitus (NPH insulin) | Weak | 391. Hawkins MG, Barron H, Speer BL, et al. Birds. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 4th ed., Elsevier Saunders, St. Louis, MO; 2013:183-437.; 445. Johnson-Delaney CA, Harrison LR, eds. Exotic Companion Medicine Handbook for Veterinarians, Wingers Publishing, Lake Worth, FL; 1996. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.462 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.7 (Hormones and Steroids Used in Birds).Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
Other conditions in Cockatiels
Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice. Verify against current literature before clinical use.