Nasty Looking Tumor

[Kersevan]

Hi, I am new to the forum. My 8 year old parakeet, Mo has developed a tumor or cyst thing on his lower back side under his feathers. It sticks out and is black (possibly from dried blood or scabbing, according to the vet). I took him to the vet because he had some bleeding and was picking at himself. I thought he had hurt himself playing with toys, but it was this instead. The vet says it is on some kind of gland that has to do with preening.

He said it would be risky to do surgery, that me might not even make it. He doesn't know if it cancerous or not. The thing is that Mo is acting perfectly fine. He is singing, talking, eating and playing like he normally does. I decided to leave him alone for now because the surgery is very expensive and not a guarantee it could fix him. Has anyone ever had any experience with this type of thing? I really love Mo and want to do the best thing for him.

Thanks,

Vicki

[SpickyDavies]

i know a member on another forum who went threw a simular situation and they decided to go threw with the operation now, while the bird is fit&healthy before health starts to go down and chances of surval are slim.

bird lived to see another day :D

[Siobhan]

With Bonnie, our vet said it's not the surgery that's risky so much as the anesthetic. It's apparently horribly difficult to get the dosage just right for budgies because they're so tiny and their little hearts beat so fast. I'd be inclined to follow the vet's recommendation.

[Kersevan]

Siobhan, did your bird have this same thing? If so, what was the outcome?

[SusanBudgies]

That preening gland is called a uropygial gland (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uropygial_gland). My avian vet, located in Southern California, has had success treating tumorous uropygial glands (without surgery) with a radioactive substance called Strontium-90 (http://thebirdclinic.com/L3_Strontium_90_Tx.htm). Perhaps your vet can consult with my vet; his website is http://thebirdclinic.com/ (he has moved his office from Santa Ana to Orange).

Please let us know what happens!

[Kersevan]

Thank you, Susan! My vet is semi-retired and I don't think he keeps up with stuff like this. I live in the Cleveland, OH area, and I am going to start looking for a vet that might be open to this treatment. If anyone knows of a vet in this area that I could contact please let me know. Am I to assume that if this goes untreated that it will eventually kill him? It doesn't sound like surgery is the answer so I am just hoping I will be able to find someone to help me out here! My little Mo is so awesome, I just want to do the best that I can for him.

[SusanBudgies]

You can find an avian vet here: http://www.aav.org/vet-lookup/.

As far as I know, Dr. Nemetz pioneered the procedure, but has lectured about it at avian vet conferences. Perhaps if you call his office directly, he can provide an Ohio avian vet referral to you. Be sure to mention the type of tumor and Strontium-90 treatment. Tell him Susan, Nibbles' mom, referred you.

I'm very sorry I don't know what will happen if the tumor is left untreated.