Subcuteneous and Deep Lipomas in Exotic and Nigerian Indigenous Chickens: A Case Report

Three case reports describing the clinicopathological diagnosis and surgical management of subcutaneous lipomas in adult exotic and Nigerian indigenous chicken, as well as deep lipoma in exotic chickens are here presented. Two dead and one live chickens were presented to the Poultry Clinic, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria, on the 15th October, 2016 and 13th August, 2017, respectively. The live indigenous hen was presented with a slow growing 8 month-old large mass on the right, ventro-lateral aspect of the neck. The mass was clinically observed to be pendulous, circumscribed, soft, lobulated, painless, subcutaneous seated and about 8 cm in diameter. The two dead exotic birds were earlier presented with the first having a similar lesion of different dimensions located in the ventro-lateral aspect of the left thigh and the second with lesions in the liver. Cytological evaluation of fine needle aspirates of the masses revealed well differentiated adipocytes interspersed with nucleated red blood cells. Consequently, the masses were tentatively diagnosed as subcutaneous and deep lipomas, and the management decision taken in the live chicken was surgical following standard procedures. Sections of the excised masses were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin and processed for histopathological examination. Histopathology revealed well differentiated adipocytes of uniform sizes interspersed with few blood vessels and connective tissue. Final diagnoses of lipomas were made. Depending on location and possible complications, subcutaneous lipomas may not be life threatening but they can be a source of discomfort to the patient and may cause emotional distress to their owners if not removed surgically. Deep lipomas may compromise organ functions leading to death.