Etiologies of Nodular Skin Lesions in Passerines: A Case Series

Jeffery Carey; Julia Lankton; Erica Miller

doi:10.53607/wrb.v32.41

Authors

Jeffery Carey University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine,
Julia Lankton DVM, DACVP University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine
Erica Miller DVM University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53607/wrb.v32.41

Keywords:

Skin lesions, nodular lesions, poxvirus, aspergillosis, follicular cysts, passerines

Abstract

Nodular skin lesions often are observed in passerines presenting to wildlife rehabilitators. Although these lesions may appear grossly similar, their etiologies can be highly diverse, which confounds appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Presented here is a case series describing similar nodular skin lesions caused by avipoxvirus, aspergillosis, and follicular cysts, with the purpose of alerting rehabilitators to the variety of disease processes that can lead to grossly similar lesions and to the diagnostics available for their differentiation. Accurate diagnosis is expected to lead to more appropriate and targeted therapeutic protocols and improved prognoses.

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Author Biographies

Jeffery Carey, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine,

Jeffery N. Carey is sixth–year VMD–PhD student at the University of Pennsylvania. He has volunteered with Tri–State Bird Rescue & Research, Inc., in Newark, DE and Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation in Chicago, IL.

Julia Lankton DVM, DACVP, University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine

Julia Lankton, DVM, DACVP completed her residency training in pathology at the University of Tennessee, was a clinical instructor at the University of Florida and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and currently works as a pathologist at the US Geological Survey’s National Wildlife Health Center in Madison, WI.

Erica Miller DVM, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine

Erica A. Miller, DVM is chief veterinarian for Brandywine Zoo in Wilmington, DE, is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, and works for the New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife. She also is a past NWRA board member and served as Secretary.

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