African Grey - Beak growth/cancer?

[Chepatagonia]

Hello,

I need help/advice with my African Grey. She's about 30 years old and has a growth on her beak.

The vet that I took her too says its some kind of tumor or cancer.... They don't want to try and treat it or remove it.

Has anyone had any experience with this? or can help me find someone who could help treat this?

Thank you in advance for any tips or assistance!!

 

[kme3388]

I’m so sorry about your African grey parrot. When I volunteered at a shelter there was an Amazon parrot that had a growth in the cheek area not by the beak. It was not treated. I don’t remember why.

May I ask if the vet you seen was a regular cat/dog vet, or an avian vet? Also did they tell you why they won’t treat the mass?

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Wow! How long has this thing been growing?

 

[Chepatagonia]

It has been growing for about 2 years.... I have taken her to a normal vet and an exotic avian bird vet. They both suggested not to mess with it but it just keeps getting bigger

 

[kme3388]

You would want to contact a local avian vet in your area? Where are you located? Not your address but state or city so maybe someone on the forum has a recommendation on a vet they’ve used.

I do believe the Amazon that had a growth had a fatty tumor that was non cancerous so that’s the reason it was left. It was on the cheek, and no where near the beak. If I remember correctly it was biopsied because it started leaking? Again it’s been many years so I can’t remember all of the specifics. You’d definitely want to contact a vet for guidance on that. Maybe ask them why they don’t want to proceed with treatment so you better understand the situation. That’s what I would do in your situation.

I had a shih tzu I had to say goodbye to a little over 2 years ago. I had brought him to the vet because he was coughing, having difficulty eating, lost a bunch of weight, and when he was drinking it sounded like he was aspirating. He had the shakes as well. He was just a month away from 14 years old. The vet originally thought it was a tooth issue, and was going to remove a few that were rotting. Once they put him under anesthesia they realized he had a large tumor in the back of the throat. She had just looked 2-3 months prior and it wasn’t there. She immediately called us to tell us that the best option was euthanasia, but we could bring him home (offered end of life care). We decided he was suffering, and we didn’t want that. She let him wake up so we could go be with him when he was euthanized. We said goodbye that day. So tumors/masses can go in this direction as well.

Again I’m so sorry

Sorry for all of the edits i use voice for typing and my phone has a mind of its own!

 

[LaManuka]

Just in case you need help finding an avian specialist, or get another professional opinion, the following list may be of some assistance to you.

Avian Vet Resources

After a suggestion by a member, @Abu Colo, the Mod Team decided to create a list of veterinarians around the world who see birds. This was something we had discussed a few years ago, but the task seemed so large that we didn't get very far. However, the need is there and we decided that the time...

www.parrotforums.com

Goodness knows avian vets are becoming harder to find, my beloved bird vet retired last year and I miss him so much! Welcome to the forums, @Chepatagonia, and I wish you and your Grey all the very best

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I would think they could do a biopsy of it to determine what it is at least.