Resection and use of a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor for treatment of pancreatic adenocarcinoma in a cockatiel.
METHODS
A 5-year-old sexually intact male cockatiel was examined because of progressive dyspnea of 1 week's duration.


RESULTS
On auscultation of the lungs and air sacs, crackles were detected; the abdomen was distended and fluctuant on palpation. Eleven milliliters of clear yellow fluid was collected via abdominocentesis. Radiography (with and without contrast medium) and ultrasonography revealed a soft tissue mass in the caudoventral portion of the coelom.


RESULTS
Exploratory surgery of the coelomic cavity was performed and the neoplasm was excised. Histologic examination of the neoplasm was consistent with a high-grade pancreatic exocrine adenocarcinoma. Celecoxib, a cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitor, was administered for pain management and for potential antineoplastic activity. For 4.5 months after surgery, the bird had no recurrence of clinical signs; however, dyspnea recurred and during evaluation, the bird died. Necropsy findings indicated that the pancreatic adenocarcinoma had metastasized to surrounding tissues and vessels, which was not unexpected given the high grade assigned to the neoplasm during histologic analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
Pancreatic neoplasms are associated with a poor prognosis, regardless of treatment modality. Celecoxib can be administered as palliative treatment to affected birds, but as with any nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, COX-2 inhibitors should be used cautiously because they can adversely affect renal function by decreasing renal prostaglandin synthesis.
Chen
Sue
S
Department of Avian and Exotic Pet Medicine, Bobst Hospital, The Animal Medical Center, 510 E 62nd St, New York, NY 10021, USA.
Bartick
Tracy
T
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery; D000068579:Celecoxib; D046410:Cockatoos; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D008297:Male; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D011720:Pyrazoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D011720:Pyrazoles; D013449:Sulfonamides; D000068579:Celecoxib