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Amazon Parrot Wing Amputation & Cancer Treatment

  • Writer: angela5591
    angela5591
  • Dec 22, 2025
  • 3 min read

Species: Blue-Fronted Amazon Parrot (Age 32) Location: Long Island, NY


Squamous Cell Carcinoma Treatment in an Amazon Parrot Patient at Long Island Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic


Parrots are incredibly resilient creatures, often living for decades in captivity. However, as birds age, they become susceptible to geriatric conditions similar to humans, including heart disease and cancer.


For pet owners in Long Island and the five boroughs of NYC, finding a veterinarian that specializes in exotics can be difficult, but that distinction often matters more than owners realize. Exotic pets hide illness well, and without specialized experience, a seemingly minor injury may mask a far more serious condition.

The Patient: A Senior Amazon from Long Island **


**The Blue-Fronted Amazon Parrot presented to our clinic for frequent falling. At that visit, the owners also noted a wing injury, which they assumed was related to the falls. Given the patient’s geriatric status and history, we recommended a CT scan to investigate potential underlying causes for the falling, including cardiovascular disease. While the CT focused on evaluating the falls, we carefully assessed the wing injury as part of the overall examination to ensure nothing was overlooked.


The Diagnosis: The Power of Diagnostics **


**The CT scan revealed cardiac and vascular atherosclerosis, which likely explained the patient's frequent falls. No fractures or joint luxations were observed in the wing. After the scan, the Blue-Fronted Amazon Parrot was started on an antibiotic, pain medications and a vasoactive agent to improve blood flow. A bandage was placed on the wing to prevent further injury and support healing.


Follow-Up and Definitive Diagnosis


After placing the bandage and starting medication, the patient returned for a planned follow-up to assess the wing injury and monitor recovery. As part of this routine evaluation, we carefully examined the injury to ensure it was healing as expected.


Although the falling episodes had resolved, the wing lesion showed persistent abnormality, and a small, firm mass was now observed within the affected area. Given the patient’s age, the persistence of the lesion, and the presence of this mass, we proceeded with a biopsy to definitively characterize it. The tissue was confirmed by our pathologist as an aggressive Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC). This proactive approach allowed us to move quickly from supportive care to targeted surgical and medical treatment.


The Treatment: Specialized Surgery and Medical Management


Given the aggressive nature of the Squamous Cell Carcinoma and its location on the wing, our surgical team recommended a full wing amputation rather than simply removing the mass. In birds, wing anatomy is complex, with thin skin and minimal soft tissue covering bones and joints. Attempting only a mass excision could leave microscopic cancer cells behind, increasing the risk of recurrence and further compromising the patient's quality of life. By performing a complete wing amputation, we were able to ensure the entire affected area was removed, giving the patient the best chance for long-term recovery.


Because the patient had underlying heart disease, we designed a tailored anesthesia protocol to minimize cardiovascular risk during the procedure. The surgery was successful, and the mass was fully excised. Postoperatively, a cardiotonic vasodilator was added to the treatment regimen to support the heart health while the Blue-Fronted Amazon Parrot recovered from the procedure.


Recovery


The patient recovered remarkably well and adapted quickly to life after the wing amputation, using the beak and feet to climb, explore and interact with the environment. The patient's determination and resilience were evident throughout recovery, and the Blue-Fronted Amazon Parrot responded well to ongoing heart medications. Today, the patient is back home in Long Island, cancer-free, with the heart condition well-controlled, enjoying a full and active life.


FAQs

  • Can a bird live happily with one wing? Yes. Companion parrots adapt very quickly and often become more active once the painful limb is removed.

  • How do you diagnose heart disease in birds? Often, there are no outside signs. A CT Scan is the gold standard for seeing calcified arteries (atherosclerosis) before a crisis occurs.

Contact Long Island Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic:

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