Large quantities of fluid may be taken from a small bird. If the bird is an adequate surgical risk, a liver biopsy can be taken for histopathological examination. The pathologist can confirm the diagnosis by typical golden-brown deposits of iron in the majority of liver cells using specialized staining techniques. The clinician can also make a tentative diagnosis by examining certain liver enzymes and based on clinical presentation. Often, an X-ray is helpful in determining liver enlargement but does not confirm a positive diagnosis without proper histopathological results.
Ancillary pathologies occur, such as cardiomegaly or enlargement of the heart.
It is unknown whether this development is a primary problem or a secondary problem due to excess fluid. Once the diagnosis is reached, treatment options are very limited. The same therapy used in humans, where hemochromatosis also occurs, does not seem to work in birds, probably because the causes are different. Drugs such as penicillamine, which control human cases, are ineffective in birds. However, a viable treatment, although ancient in origin, is phlebotomy or bleeding.