Md. Stetter et Dk. Nichols, MULTIPLE MESENCHYMAL NEOPLASMS IN A YOUNG RED-TAILED HAWK (BUTEO-JAMAICENSIS), Journal of zoo and wildlife medicine, 24(1), 1993, pp. 68-72
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.