Treatment of cloacal papilloma with 50% silver nitrate solution in chestnut-fronted macaws (Ara severus)

Abstract

Cloacal papilloma is commonly found in Amazon parrots and macaws. There are many treatment options for cloacal papilloma. Chemical cautery is one of the recommended methods. In this study, 6 mature chestnut-fronted macaws (Ara severus) with cloacal papilloma were treated weekly with 50% silver nitrate solution. All tumors completely regressed after 2 to 5 weeks of treatment. One bird died after the second treatment from another cause. Three months after the last treatment, one bird died from internal papilloma in the esophagus and the crop. Recurrence was found in one bird at 6 months after the last treatment. The result suggested that cauterization with 50% silver nitrate solution was effective in the treatment of cloacal papilloma in macaws. However, recurrence of the tumor or papilloma in the gastrointestinal tract could be observed.