BASAL-CELL CARCINOMA IN A BLUE-FRONTED AMAZON PARROT (AMAZONA-AESTIVA)

Tumors of the integumentary system are relatively common in companion birds. Dermal tumors in pet birds can be epithelial, mesenchymal, or v ascular in origin. Basal cell carcinomas appear to be extremely rare i n birds. An adult female blue-fronted Amazon parrot was examined becau se ir exhibited bilateral cervical masses that extended from the base of the skull to the ingluvial region. The tumors were removed by surgi cal excision. Microscopic examination of the masses revealed neoplasti c epithelial cells that extended to all borders of the sections; scatt ered vessels with neoplastic cells within their lumens were also found . The histopathologic diagnosis was basal cell carcinoma. Six weeks po stoperatively, the masses recurred and the bird was euthanatized. This report suggests that basal cell carcinomas should be considered as a differential for avian dermal tumors. This neoplastic condition can be aggressive and has the potential to metastasize.