Because pet birds live longer now than they used to, cancers and tumors are diagnosed more often. Birds can develop most of the same tumor types that occur in other pets and in people, and at the same locations in the body.
Internally, cancer in birds can affect the ovaries, testicles, kidneys, liver, stomach, pancreas, intestines, heart, lungs, pituitary and thyroid glands, muscles, and bones. Surgery and chemotherapy have both been used to treat tumors in birds, with varying success, depending on the tumor type and body location.
Skin cancers such as squamous cell carcinoma often occur around the eyes, beak, wing tips, and toes. Radiation therapy has been used to treat this type of tumor in birds with some success.
Fibrosarcomas might appear as reddened skin areas. They are often firmly and deeply attached and difficult to remove surgically.
Lipomas are fatty tumors that are the most common in budgerigars (budgies). They usually appear over the keel (breastbone) or chest and are benign. Removal is not required unless the lipoma is large or causing the bird discomfort.
Xanthomas are yellow, fatty masses under the skin but are not true tumors. In birds they commonly appear on wing tips, the keel (breastbone), or chest, but they can occur anywhere. Xanthomas are common in cockatiels and budgies.
The cause of xanthomas is unknown, but improving your bird's diet and providing enough provitamin A compounds (such as beta‑carotene) might help. Surgical removal is an option in advanced cases.
Like lipomas, xanthomas are benign, but they tend to ulcerate and bleed as they grow.
Lymphoma is a common cancer in pet birds and other animals. It typically affects multiple organs, especially the liver, spleen, and kidneys. Both radiation therapy and chemotherapy have been used successfully to treat this tumor in some birds. When lymphoma is present in the bloodstream, it is called leukemia.
Pituitary adenomas (in the pituitary gland in the brain) occur most commonly in budgies and cockatiels. They can cause sudden neurological symptoms such as blindness, seizures, and muscle spasms. Hormone‑related symptoms, such as excessive thirst and urination, might also occur, depending on which pituitary hormones are affected. These are typically fatal in birds.
For More Information
Also see professional content regarding neoplastic disorders in pet birds.
