First Report of Mixed-Type Hemangioma in a Yellow Fischer lovebird (Agapornis fischeri) in Iran

Abstract

Hemangiomas are benign vascular tumors that are rarely reported in avian species, especially in companion psittacine. This report describes the first documented case of a mixed-type hemangioma in a Yellow Fischer lovebird (Agapornis fischeri) in Iran. A 7-year-old bird was presented with a progressively enlarging cervical mass and clinical signs of lateral recumbency. The owner reported episodes of hemorrhage from the mass, leading to severe blood loss. Despite supportive care, the bird died shortly after admission. The excised mass was fixed in 10% buffered formalin and submitted for histopathological evaluation. Microscopically, the lesion demonstrated two distinct vascular growth patterns: small capillary channels lined by uniform endothelium, and larger cavernous sinusoids separated by fibrovascular stroma. These findings were consistent with a mixed-type capillary and cavernous hemangioma. While neoplasms are increasingly diagnosed in aging pet birds, hemangiomas remain rare, and mixed types even more so. This case highlights the importance of histopathological evaluation in exotic species and contributes to the limited literature on vascular tumors in ornamental birds.