Avian cutaneous neoplasms: A retrospective study

A retrospective study was carried out on the biopsy specimens from the avian species received at the Department of Veterinary Pathology, RIVER, Puducherry from the Veterinary Clinical Complex. During the 69 months of study (from January 2017 to September 2022), 15 biopsy samples were collected from different birds. Out of 15 bird samples, 11 (73.33%) were diagnosed as neoplasms. Among the 11 neoplasms, 9 (81.81%) were benign and 2 (18.19%) were malignant. Based on the origin, neoplasms were categorized into epithelial (3 birds, 27.27%) and mesenchymal (8 birds, 72.73%). The epithelial neoplasms consisted of 3 benign (adenoma) and the mesenchymal neoplasms consisted of 6 benign (3 fibroma, 1 osteoclastoma, 1 histiocytoma, 1 lymphoma) and 2 malignant (fibrosarcoma). Grossly, the growths varied from small to large, soft to hard in consistency, solitary to multiple growths found in different sites of the skin. The incidence of cutaneous neoplasms was recorded in different avian species including non-descript, aseel, pigeon, and psittacine birds. The highest occurrence was recorded in 2-3 years of age (6 birds, (54.54%) and the lowest in 0-1 year of age (5 birds, 45.45%). Based on the sex of the birds, out of the 11 neoplasms, 7 occurred in males and 4 in females. With respect to species, pigeon and psittacines were more affected (5 birds, 45.45%), followed by non-descript breeds (4 birds, 36.36%) and aseel (2 birds, 18.18%). Location wise, neoplasm predominantly occurred in wings (2 fibroma, 1 fibrosarcoma, and 1 osteoclastoma), perianal region (1 histiocytoma, 1 adenoma), neck and breast region (1 lymphoma, 1 papillary cystadenoma, 1 fibroma), forehead and eye region (1 fibrosarcoma and 1 adenoma).