Large tumor on wing

I found an Indian Fantail pigeon on the street several years ago; took him to the local wildlife rehabilitator who kept him for several weeks then called me to come take him! I didn't know anything about pigeons as pets but took him in. He's been fine until recently when I noticed a tumor growing on his wing, under the feathers.

Now, the tumor is about the size of a cherry tomato and is affecting his ability to flap his wings for exercise. He lives in a large dog crate in my computer room but has plenty of room to flap when he wants. I had initially decided to just let it go but now am wondering if I should have the avian specialist in my area take a look at it? I am leery of addressing this surgically, worried about anesthesia, etc.

I don't know how to post a picture here.

Thoughts anyone? Thanks.

Can you post a photo of the tumor/lump? I would take it to the avian vet and if possible have it removed.

Not sure I understand.... you've had this indian fantail for years & now want to let it go?

Please don't let the pigeon go, I doubt very much that it would survive. If you no longer want to keep the pigeon we may be able to help you find a home for it. Where are you located, what city & state ?

Oh no, no, I don't think I said anything about letting him go?? Anyway, no, of course not, I have a house full of rescued critters

I am unsure about addressing it with a vet. Isn't it risky to anesthetize a bird? I just joined this forum and don't know how to post a photo. I will try and figure it out. I have pictures of him from when I first got him; he looked a lot better than he does now. I don't know what their lifespan is either.

Will try and post a picture. Thanks.

Hi, Beans142!

Don't worry about your pigeon being anaesthetised at the vets for treatment, it's perfectly safe! Some of my rescues who needed surgery were anaesthetised, and they were just fine. When they wake up they're a little dizzy and uncoordinated, but those symptoms quickly disappear after a good rest.

About posting pictures... this should help:
http://www.pigeonangels.com/t709-instructions-for-posting-pictures

About the tumour, what colour is it, and on what part of the wing is it located? Is there any superficial wound?
Hard, yellow matter is pus, and indicates an infection that needs to be cleaned by a vet.
Black is the most common colour for a tumour. The colour is due to clotted blood, and great care should be taken to avoid major blood loss when attempting to clean it. Again, I would let the vet handle it.
A hard, pink lump, felt both on the upper and the underside of the wing, on the bird's elbow (which appears to be in the middle of the wing when the wing is lying flat agianst the body) is usually a Salmonella infection. That will respond to antibiotic treatment (1 to 3 weeks) and will gradually subside without any other action being needed.

Please keep us posted.

Trying to post a picture...this was from when I first got him 5 years ago! Will try and get a picture of the tumor tomorrow.

It's not black in color, it's right in the middle of his wing on the topside, it's huge but it's flesh colored. Size of a cherry tomato.

beans142 wrote:

I found an Indian Fantail pigeon on the street several years ago; took him to the local wildlife rehabilitator who kept him for several weeks then called me to come take him! I didn't know anything about pigeons as pets but took him in. He's been fine until recently when I noticed a tumor growing on his wing, under the feathers.

Now, the tumor is about the size of a cherry tomato and is affecting his ability to flap his wings for exercise. He lives in a large dog crate in my computer room but has plenty of room to flap when he wants.

I had initially decided to just let it go but now am wondering if I should have the avian specialist in my area take a look at it? I am leery of addressing this surgically, worried about anesthesia, etc.

I don't know how to post a picture here.

Thoughts anyone? Thanks.

EgypSwiftLady wrote:

Can you post a photo of the tumor/lump? I would take it to the avian vet and if possible have it removed.

Not sure I understand.... you've had this indian fantail for years & now want to let it go?
Please don't let the pigeon go, I doubt very much that it would survive. If you no longer want to keep the pigeon we may be able to help you find a home for it. Where are you located, what city & state ?

If I'm not mistaken, I think Beans meant initially he was just going to let the tumor go (and not have it looked at), not let the bird go.

Hi Beans,
to Pigeon Angels.

Your fantail is beautiful.
A picture of the tumor would be helpful.
Has it been growing gradually or did it come on suddenly?
In addition to the other thoughts of what might be going on, perhaps it's a cyst of some kind.

I would suggest taking your bird to an avian vet or one who is familiar with pigeons just to be on the safe side.

Please let us know how things go.

Sorry beans142 I must have missed read your post.

Pigeons can live into their 20's, we had a cock pij that lived to be 19 yrs. old. He came to live here at the sanctuary late in life & wasn't cared for properly before coming to us & I'm sure because of that his life was shortened.

You fantail is beautiful & the tumor can/would shortened it's life if not removed.

Close up of tumor. My poor Sephora!

Oh my goodness!!
I know you said it was about the size of a cherry tomato, but I honestly wasn't thinking it was as large as it is.
She doesn't look like she feels well. Bless her heart.
I would definitely get sweet Sephora to the vet, asap.

Sending positive thoughts your way.
PLEASE keep us posted.

That's scary!!! The part of the wing it's in corresponds to the pigeon's hand, so when he gets better that shouldn't have affected his ability to fly.
Meanwhile, he needs to see a vet asap, as your pigeon will need antibiotic treatment, and the vet may recommend removing the tumour, which shouldn't be at all problematic for a professional. Poor pigeon, he must be in a lot of pain!

Well I made an appointment for Thursday but may have to reschedule for next week. In any case, I'll get him there ASAP. There's an avian specialist a couple of towns over...I took Sephora to him right after I "adopted" him; it's still the same vet there after five years, interesting.

I don't think Sephora is in any pain, he eats and drinks normally. Of course, the tumor grew very slowly over the course of the past several months, even a year. It's only now that it's this large that I started thinking I should change my mind about having it addressed.

Will let you all know. Thanks!

We'll be anxious to hear how things go.

Oh My Lord!! What a tumor... I pray she will do fine after surgery.....

beans142 wrote:

Well I made an appointment for Thursday but may have to reschedule for next week. In any case, I'll get him there ASAP. There's an avian specialist a couple of towns over...I took Sephora to him right after I "adopted" him; it's still the same vet there after five years, interesting.

I don't think Sephora is in any pain, he eats and drinks normally. Of course, the tumor grew very slowly over the course of the past several months, even a year. It's only now that it's this large that I started thinking I should change my mind about having it addressed.

Will let you all know. Thanks!

Pigeons in pain often look listless and half close their eyes, and Sephora appears to be doing both in the photo, unless it was just his reaction to the camera flash.
Pigeons with terrible injuries or diseases have been seen eating and drinking normally, some until just before they die, so we can't use that as evidence of not being in pain.

I hope the vet will be able to restore him to full health. Please keep us posted, and thank you for doing the right thing by him!

Hello everyone

Sephora had his surgery on Tuesday; large tumor on wing was removed and also additional growths under his tail. I thought it was a little pricey but this was an avian vet and I felt it was the best bet.

So far he's doing well but still has a large bandage on his wing that is coming off tomorrow. He seems fine, he ate as soon as we got him home and tried to bite me several times in the car when I opened the cage door!!!

Thanks for all the advice and well wishes. Will try and get an updated photo soon.

Thank you so much for posting an update on Sephora.
I am so glad the surgery went well and he is doing good.

Did the vet say what kind of tumor that was?

We would love to see some new photos.

My best wishes and speedy recovery to Sephora.

That's terrific news, Beans142, thank you so much for the update!

It's wonderful to know that Sephora had such good care and will be recovering fully! I know that avian vets don't come cheap, and it's a real measure of how much you care for Sephora that you got the best possible care for him.

I'll be looking forward to seeing the photos!

I'll try to get a photo next week. Went back to the vet today to have the bandage removed/checked but it is still bleeding. Put on new bandage and I have to go back yet again on Monday!

I have a question...I was absolutely LIVID that the vet charged $18 for today's visit!! A recheck!!! I never heard of such a thing...on top of the fact that they've already charged me $820! What does everyone think?

I have to agree, I would also have been extremely angry if I were charged for a 'post op' visit.
That should be included in the surgery fee. JMO

I hope Sephora is recovering well.

beans142 wrote:

I'll try to get a photo next week. Went back to the vet today to have the bandage removed/checked but it is still bleeding. Put on new bandage and I have to go back yet again on Monday!

I have a question...I was absolutely LIVID that the vet charged $18 for today's visit!! A recheck!!! I never heard of such a thing...on top of the fact that they've already charged me $820! What does everyone think?

That's steep! My vet doesn't charge for post-op check-ups, only for bandages, X-rays or meds that may be needed.
Could you give us the name and address of your vet's surgery? I'd like to check if it is already in our contacts list, and if so put a note there about those extra charges.

I hope the bandage will be able to come off on Monday!

Sorry it took me so long to get back on here...just wanted to let everyone know Mr. Sephora is fine! I still didn't get a picture of him and/or the area where the tumor was removed, but you can't really see anything. His wing looks like it did before the tumor popped out from behind his feathers.

AND when I spoke to the vet on the second recheck visit, he agreed to credit me the $18 they charged and did not charge me for the second visit. I should say that on the first visit, the wound was still bleeding and oozing so had to be rebandaged. I believe they felt that this was more than just a post op visit hence the charge. But it was credited to my account.

I PROMISE if I get a chance to take a new photo, I will post it. Thanks to everyone!!

Teresa did you want me to send you the vet information in a private message or post it here?

I'm so happy to read this and to know that Mr. Sephora's tumour has been sucessfully removed!

Thank you for caring for him, I'm sure he must be in such a pain, I mean I was when I first saw the picture, it not even seemed real, it seemed like a peach.... I'm really happy you took him to a specialized vet, who took very good care of him!

Can't wait to see the new pic of Mr. Sephora! Please do keep us updated!

I wish you all good, both for you and your beautiful pige!

beans142 wrote:

Sorry it took me so long to get back on here...just wanted to let everyone know Mr. Sephora is fine! I still didn't get a picture of him and/or the area where the tumor was removed, but you can't really see anything. His wing looks like it did before the tumor popped out from behind his feathers.

AND when I spoke to the vet on the second recheck visit, he agreed to credit me the $18 they charged and did not charge me for the second visit. I should say that on the first visit, the wound was still bleeding and oozing so had to be rebandaged. I believe they felt that this was more than just a post op visit hence the charge. But it was credited to my account.

I PROMISE if I get a chance to take a new photo, I will post it. Thanks to everyone!!

Teresa did you want me to send you the vet information in a private message or post it here?

Thank you so much for the update!
I'm delighted to hear that Sephora is doing well!

I'm also very glad that the vet refunded that $18 charge! A bandage doesn't cost as much as that, so that was definitely a decent thing to do.
You can post or PM the vet information -- either way is fine! And thank you for your help in maintaining our contacts updated!

My very best wishes to you and to Sephora. Happy endings are wonderful!