Use of Haloperidol in Companion Psittacine Birds: 19 Cases (2012-2022)

The antipsychotic medication haloperidol has been used for many years in avian medicine as a pharmacologic therapy for refractory feather destructive behavior in pet parrots. However, despite its common use, there are no published studies evaluating its efficacy and adverse effects in psittacine birds. The goal of this study was to report the signalment, clinical presentation, dosing regimen, response to therapy, and adverse effects of companion psittacine birds prescribed oral haloperidol therapy at a single veterinary referral hospital. Included cases were pet psittacine birds that were prescribed haloperidol between 2012 and 2022 and had sufficient follow-up information available to assess efficacy and adverse effects. Nineteen parrots met the case criteria for inclusion. Haloperidol was prescribed for 17 birds with feather destructive behavior, 1 bird for excessive sexual behavior, and 1 bird prophylactically after surgery of the uropygial gland. The most common species prescribed haloperidol were grey parrots (n = 5) (Psittacus erithacus), umbrella cockatoos (n = 4) (Cacatua alba), and Pionus spp. (n = 2). Most (12/18 [67%]) birds were classified as having a positive response to haloperidol administration. The initial median (interquartile range) total daily dose for all birds in the study was 0.24 mg/kg (0.18-0.4 mg/kg). Adverse effects were reported in 9/19 (47%) birds with grey parrots being the most common species displaying adverse effects. The most common adverse effect reported was lethargy in 5/19 (26%) birds. Some adverse effects were mitigated by adjusting dosing, and more severe adverse effects resolved after discontinuing haloperidol. This study provides descriptive data for a commonly used antipsychotic medication to assist veterinarians treating avian patients.