Fat Tumours
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The information and photographs have kindly been provided by Dr. Rob Marshall - http://www.birdhealth.com.au)
Fatty tumours that lie beneath the skin (subcutaneous lipomas or xanthomas) are the most common neoplasms of birds. These encapsulated benign tumours are composed of mature fat cells. They generally occur in overweight birds and are most commonly seen in budgerigars, galahs and sulphur crested cockatoos.
Development of lipomas is associated with obesity, hypothyroidism and genetic factors. In addition to being unsightly, lipomas may become large enough to restrict movement and may become centrally necrotic or ulcerated. Pain and discomfort is associated with necrotic and ulcerated lipomas and xanthomas. Birds will pick at themselves (self mutilate) with this form of tumor. The resulting bleeding and infection becomes a life threatening situation.
If the tumour is not ulcerated or necrotic, initial treatment involves dietary modification and additional exercise. Iodine supplementation in the form of Ioford in the drinking water is also recommended at this stage. Lipomas that do not respond to this treatment often become ulcerated or begin to interfere with locomotion.
Management of Lipomas (non-ulcerated and non-necrotic)
- Introduce a low fat diet (low sunflower seed content).
- Balance nutrition by following the Ongoing Health Programme.
- Use an Iodine supplement to stimulate the thyroid gland and metabolism of fatty tissues.
- Stimulate exercise twice daily to help with weight and fat reduction.
- Return in 2 weeks for re-assessment of the tumour.
Fat tumours are associated with normal fat depots throughout the body. The presence of these fat depots may lead to multi-focal development of lipomas. The aim of the above regime is to remove or minimise these surrounding fat depots to allow complete removal of the lipoma. If the tumour is completely removed, removal is usually curative.
Management of Xanthomas (ulcerated and necrotic)
Once the tumour becomes ulcerated or necrotic the tumour changes in nature to a serious life-threatening form called a Xanthoma. Xanthomas tend to overly fat deposits, hernias and chronic abscesses, and are non-discrete thickened areas of yellow, friable skin that bleeds easily. In these cases surgical removal is required. If the tumour is left untreated, the bird becomes susceptible to sudden bleeding episodes and may bleed to death.
Surgical Removal of Xanthomas
Once the fat tumour becomes ulcerated or necrotic, immediate surgical removal becomes necessary. The ulcerated and necrotic skin associated with xanthomas often complicates surgical removal of these tumours. Our aim for surgery is to completely remove the xanthoma and any surrounding necrotic or ulcerated skin. If this is achieved, recurrence is less likely.
Post Operative Complications
There is very little chance of post surgical complication following the routine removal of non ulcerated/necrotic fat tumours. The removal of xanthomas and ulcerated lipomas is a more complex procedure because of an increased likelihood of bleeding and stroke like syndrome (see surgery pamphlet overleaf). As well, the likelihood of self mutilation is increased following surgery because the bird has developed a habit of picking itself. Self mutilation lessens the chance of recovery as the wound is not allowed adequate time to heal.
Program to help decrease size of tumour and prevent recurrence
| Day of Week | Water Supplements | Food Supplements |
| Friday | Ioford1 | F-Vite4 |
| Saturday | Dufoplus/Ioford2 | Turbobooster3 Energy supplement, F-Vite |
| Sunday | Dufoplus2/Ioford1 | Turbobooster3 Energy supplement, F-Vite |
| Monday | Ioford1 | F-Vite4 |
| Tuesday | Ioford1 | F-Vite4 |
| Wednesday | Ioford1 | F-Vite4 |
| Thursday | Ioford1 | F-Vite4 |
These products can be ordered in the United States or in Australia or worldwide.
1 Ioford (10 drops) is mixed into 100mls of drinking water each day for three weeks. The iodine in Ioford stimulates the thyroid gland and helps reduce the size of the tumor and associated fat depots. Dufoplus and Ioford are safely left in the drinking water for two consecutive days, as they are sugar free. They provide the vitamins and trace elements necessary for good health. The signs of improved health are visible by the more intense green, blue and yellow colour of the plumage, beak and feet, together with whiter whites in the feathers and an increased activity and talking ability.
2 Into 100mls of drinking water add 5 drops of Dufoplus.
3 6 drops of Turbobooster is mixed thoroughly into 100gm of seed, then a green 1 gm spoon of an energy supplement and F-vite are mixed into it. These powders stick to the Turbobooster oil impregnated seed providing your ill bird with immediate energy, protein, vitamin and mineral supplements to help restore its health as quickly as possible.
4 Fvite should be made available from Monday to Friday in a small side dish.
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Photo contributions are welcome!
