MULTIPLE MESENCHYMAL NEOPLASMS IN A YOUNG RED-TAILED HAWK (BUTEO-JAMAICENSIS)

A weak and emaciated immature female red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensi s) was presented to the Audubon Institute's Wild Bird Rehabilitation C enter for evaluation. Physical examination of the bird revealed a left axillary subcutaneous mass. The mass was surgically excised and class ified histologically as a fibrosarcoma. Following surgery, the bird's condition began to improve. However, the axillary tumor recurred and t hree other subcutaneous fibrosarcomas developed at distant sites in th e hawk, necessitating euthanasia. At necropsy, an intestinal fibrosarc oma was also discovered. Although a viral carcinogen was suspected, tr ansmission electron microscopy and virus isolation failed to reveal a viral etiology.