Abstract

A mature female Steller's eider duck was captured near Cold Bay, AK in September 2003 and housed as part of a research and captive breeding colony at The Alaska SeaLife Center, Seward, AK. In June 2007, she exhibited abdominal distention and discomfort initially assumed to be caused by egg formation. Radiographs revealed massive gaseous dilation of bowel loops filling the coelomic cavity. Complete blood cell count indicated mild anemia (PCV 34%), leukopenia (WBC 4,350, 95% heterophils, 5% degenerated lymphocytes) and severe hypoproteinemia (<1.1 g/dl). Percutaneous needle aspiration of bowel gas provided temporary relief and the bird resumed eating but gas distention returned overnight. Barium was administered via stomach tube and repeated radiographs showed slow passage through the distended bowel loops. The bird continued to show interest in food but only urates and urine were passed. She was found dead in the morning of day three and necropsy revealed moderate fibrinous debris adjacent to the dilated bowel which terminated at a two cm long narrowed and thick walled segment of ileum just proximal to the ileocecocolic junction. Histopathology confirmed intestinal adenocarcinoma along with nonspecific aging changes (atherosclerosis of heart valves and greater vessels, mild renal gout and marked fat atrophy). Neoplasia has been infrequently observed in wild birds and has not previously been reported in sea ducks.