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24 May 2019 Bilateral Anterior Uveitis in a Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus) With a Metastatic Pectoral Malignant Mesenchymoma
Michala de Linde Henriksen, Leslie Sharkey, Dana Franzen-Klein, Arno Wünschmann, Leandro B. C. Teixeira, Richard Dubielzig, Michelle Willette
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Abstract

A captive, adult, male northern saw-whet owl (Aegolius acadicus) was examined for blepharospasm of the left eye. The owl was diagnosed with bilateral anterior uveitis and a corneal ulceration in the left eye. It was treated with oral and topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications and a topical antibiotic. Multiple recheck examinations and medication adjustments were performed over the next 4 months, at the end of which time the bilateral anterior uveitis was controlled with a topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory applied 3 times per week to both eyes. The owl was re-examined 2 months later after 2 suspected neurologic episodes. On physical examination, the owl was quiet and had difficulty standing and ambulating. Five firm multilobular and immobile masses were identified overlying the pectoral muscle and sternum. Fine-needle aspiration from 1 mass revealed neoplastic cells consistent with a sarcoma. The owl was euthanatized. On the basis of results of histopathologic examination, the mass was diagnosed as a pleomorphic spindle cell sarcoma with features of rhabdomyosarcoma, liposarcoma, and osteosarcoma. Numerous tumor cells were immunopositive for myoglobin and desmin, indicating striated muscle origin. Although a metastatic lesion was present in 1 adrenal gland, lesions of inflammation or neoplasia were absent in either eye on histopathologic examination. This report describes an apparent ocular manifestation of systemic disease in an avian species with clinically diagnosed recurrent anterior uveitis.

© 2019 by the Association of Avian Veterinarians
Michala de Linde Henriksen, Leslie Sharkey, Dana Franzen-Klein, Arno Wünschmann, Leandro B. C. Teixeira, Richard Dubielzig, and Michelle Willette "Bilateral Anterior Uveitis in a Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus) With a Metastatic Pectoral Malignant Mesenchymoma," Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery 33(2), 171-178, (24 May 2019). https://doi.org/10.1647/2017-326
Published: 24 May 2019
KEYWORDS
Aegolius acadicus
anterior uveitis
Avian
mesenchymoma
Northern Saw-whet Owl
paraneoplastic syndrome
pleomorphic sarcoma
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