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Cancer in Finches
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 12:16 am
by Zebrafincher
My little Star Finch, Fruit, is undergoing surgery today. He's had a long issue with his preening gland being impacted - and two previous surgeries. Now they tell me it might be cancer or a tumor as its been growing very quickly and bleeding. Does anyone have any experience with growths/tumors and recurrances with finches or canaries? My finch is 9.5 grams and has survived several operations already. It may not be this, but I'm very attached to my little finch! He's a sweetie
Re: Cancer in Finches
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 3:35 am
by ranchnanny
Sorry your bird is going thru surgery...
I don't think I have ever heard of birds getting cancer.. I sure hope all goes well......Blessings to you both.

Re: Cancer in Finches
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 3:56 am
by Abigail
Awh, how sad....I hope everything turns out OK!
Re: Cancer in Finches
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 6:14 am
by debbie276

best of luck
Re: Cancer in Finches
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 6:43 am
by lyzzyjayne
Please let us know.

Re: Cancer in Finches
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 8:11 am
by Ria
Sorry to hear about your little guy, hope he does well!
Yes, birds can get cancer. A lot of people don't bother to treat for little ones like finches; they are so delicate, and treatments are so expensive. Just like humans, there are a variety of cancers they can get. Somewhere on this forum, our member cindy posted links to the Merck Veterinary Manual, and one with avian medicine. I know the avian med one talks about cancer, I've read portions of it. I'll see if I can ferret out the link for you...
give this a try:
http://www.avianmedicine.net/ampa/43.pdf
and hopefully the Merck manual:
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index ... m_list.htm
I hope they work, you may need to copy and paste them into your browser instead. Good luck!
Re: Cancer in Finches
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 8:58 pm
by Zebrafincher
Thankyou all for this. Fruit came through the operation OK and I should be able to take him home tonight. The vet will give me some advice about caring for him - medication and anti-bacterial/disinfectyant cream for him. I'm wondering whether they'll place an elizabethan collar on him~! They are so cute! I love my little bird. !!!!
Re: Cancer in Finches
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 9:25 pm
by carlamay
So glad he made it through - one tough little bird! Prayers to you both...
Re: Cancer in Finches
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 9:59 pm
by henrietta
Yay! I'm so glad he's okay!! :] He is one lucky bird to have you as his owner!!
Re: Cancer in Finches
Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 11:06 pm
by Zebrafincher
Fruit is a sweetie. He's a kinda cranky bird, a bit like my canary, Kevin. He's six - which is middle aged or so, I guess for a finch. He's outlived three other Zebra finches and currently lives with an ongoing relationship with his reflection in the mirror. I have another star finch, Merlin, who gets on better with Kevin, my Canary.
Re: Cancer in Finches
Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2013 8:42 am
by debbie276
Wonderful news!
best of luck
Re: Cancer in Finches
Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2013 8:11 pm
by Angeldov222
awww..........hes so lucky to have u...........all the best

Re: Cancer in Finches
Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2013 8:29 pm
by Zebrafincher
Well Fruit is back at Home and doing well. They had to trim off his tail for the operation but it should grow back. He's a very tired little bird! Spent all of last night eating! He looks like a little chicken with no tail!
Thanks all!
