Abstract

A wild caught female Steller's eider (Polysticta stelleri), housed for long term research at the Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC), developed hypermature cataracts and intermittant lamenss that were initially attributed to advanced age. When staff noted lethargy, loss of appetite and decreased fecal output, additional diagnostics were conducted including a complete blood cell count, abdominal radiographs and exploratory coeliotomy. An enlarged and mottled liver was found and a wedge biopsy collected for histopathology and microbial culture. Significant lymphocytosis was documented on the blood sample (total WBC 207,500 with 99% lymphocytes). The bacterial culture was negative but histopathology of the liver confirmed lymphoma.

The bird was euthanized and a complete necropsy performed to document the extent of the neoplasia and archive tissues for further study. Microscopic examination revealed a neoplastic lymphoid infiltrate throughout multiple organs including the spleen, lung, kidney, heart, liver, intestine, skeletal muscle, air sacs, esophagus, thymus, proventriculus, ventriculus, eye, conjunctiva, skin, and peripheral blood.

Disseminated lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia are commonly reported in several species of Anseriformes but, to our knowledge, this is the first case reported in a Steller's Eider duck.

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the ASLC Husbandry staff for their excellent care of the Research Eider colony and the US Fish and Wildlife Service for financial support of the Eider Research Program.

* Presenting author