Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Intestinal T-cell cancer causing weight loss in a yellow-naped Amazon
By Souza, Marcy J et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc·2008·Department of Small Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Diffuse intestinal T-cell lymphosarcoma in a yellow-naped Amazon parrot (Amazona ochrocephala auropalliata).
- Species:
- bird
Plain-English summary
A 10-year-old female yellow-naped Amazon parrot was brought to the vet due to symptoms like anemia, weight loss, and regurgitation. Tests showed she had a serious condition called diffuse intestinal T-cell lymphosarcoma, a type of cancer affecting her intestines. Despite undergoing a chemotherapy treatment plan, her condition did not improve, and unfortunately, she was euthanized. The cancer was confirmed after her passing, and no other organs were affected. This case highlights a rare type of cancer in birds that hasn't been widely documented before.
People also search for: parrot weight loss symptoms · yellow-naped Amazon parrot cancer treatment · parrot regurgitation causes
Abstract
A 10-year-old, intact, female yellow-naped Amazon parrot was examined because of anemia, lymphocytic leukocytosis, regurgitation, and weight loss. A positive fecal occult blood and monoclonal globulinopathy were present. A distended proventriculus and diffusely thickened loops of small intestine with irregular luminal surfaces were identified with contrast radiography and contrast computed tomography. A micro positron emission tomography scan was performed with (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose. Diffuse intestinal T-cell lymphosarcoma was diagnosed based on histopathology and immunohistochemistry of full thickness small intestinal biopsies. The patient was treated with a multidrug chemotherapy protocol with little to no effect. Euthanasia was elected, and intestinal lymphosarcoma was confirmed on histopathology of necropsy intestinal samples; no other organs demonstrated neoplastic infiltration. To the authors' knowledge, no reports are currently available detailing the clinical presentation or diagnosis of diffuse intestinal T-cell lymphosarcoma in any avian species.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18776105/