Embryonal Tumour in the Eye of a Lady Gouldian Finch (Erythrura gouldiae) and Limited Review of Intraocular Tumours in Birds

Abstract

Primary intraocular tumours are infrequent in birds. A 2-year-old male Lady Gouldian finch (Erythrura gouldiae) originally presented to the referring veterinarian after the owner noticed mild swelling of the right eye. After the eye had enlarged rapidly and bulged from the orbit, the bird was seen at the referral hospital. Enucleation was attempted but the bird died after sedation. The eye was removed and, on sectioning, a mass was seen primarily in the vitreous chamber with extension through the sclera to the retrobulbar area. After routine histology, immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy, the mass was diagnosed as an embryonal tumour of probable retinal origin. This type of tumour has rarely been documented in birds and we could find no references to any report in Estrildidae.

Keywords: Estrildidae; Lady Gouldian finch; embryonal tumour; intraocular tumour.