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/Vetsulin).
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). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929 |
| 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). The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table — not the page — is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929 — 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. |
Insulin (NPH/Vetsulin)(Vetsulin, ProZinc, Humulin 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). Located 2026-08-05: the only table covering this species in which the drug's own row prints this dose. The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929; Current Therapy in Avian Medicine and Surgery — ISBN 9781455746712, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781455746712 |
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.