Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cockatoo with skin lymphoma treated with chemo for 17 weeks
By Rivera, Samuel et al.·Published in Journal of avian medicine and surgery·2009·Department of Animal Health, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Treatment of nonepitheliotropic cutaneous B-cell lymphoma in an umbrella cockatoo (Cacatua alba).
- Species:
- bird
Plain-English summary
A 3.5-year-old umbrella cockatoo developed multiple lumps under its skin and was taken to the vet for diagnosis. After several tests, it was found to have nonepitheliotropic cutaneous B-cell lymphoma, a type of cancer. The bird was treated with chemotherapy for 17 weeks, initially showing signs of improvement by week 9. However, it became very sick towards the end of treatment, leading to the chemotherapy being stopped. Remarkably, the cockatoo achieved complete remission and has remained healthy for over 8 years since the treatment ended.
People also search for: umbrella cockatoo skin lumps · bird lymphoma treatment · cockatoo chemotherapy side effects
Abstract
A 3.5-year-old umbrella cockatoo (Cacatua alba) was presented because of the development of widely disseminated subcutaneous nodules. The diagnostic work-up included a complete blood count, plasma biochemical analysis, and whole body radiographs. Biopsy samples of the skin lesions were submitted for histopathologic evaluation, bacterial culture and sensitivity testing, immunohistochemistry staining, and acid-fast staining. The diagnosis was nonepitheliotropic cutaneous B-cell lymphoma with a leukemic blood picture. The bird was treated with a chemotherapeutic regimen consisting of vincristine and chlorambucil for 17 weeks. During treatment, the complete blood count was monitored every 1-3 weeks, and the plasma biochemical analysis was monitored every 3-4 weeks. The bird was in partial remission on week 9. On week 17, the bird became acutely ill and was fluffed, depressed, anorectic, and anemic. The chemotherapeutic regimen was discontinued. At this time, the bird had a consistent lymphocytosis but no neoplastic lymphocytes were seen in the general circulation. At week 29 the bird was in complete remission and remains in complete remission 8 years after chemotherapy was discontinued.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20235461/