A captive 15-year-old male common raven (Corvus corax) was presented for
post-mortem examination. It had been previously presented to a local
veterinarian due to a 3–4 weeks long history of abnormal respiratory sounds.
Upon admission, the bird demonstrated severe dyspnea and a massive amount of
mucous in the oropharynx. After symptomatic treatment, dyspnea deteriorated
dramatically, and euthanasia was elicited because of poor prognosis. The
necropsy revealed a 2.65 x 2.15 x 2.18 cm expansile and poorly delineated
cauliflower-shaped mass around the glottis and extending inside the tracheal
lumen. Additionally, a dilated salivary gland in the adjacent tissue and
multifocal reddish-fleshy areas in the lung parenchyma were detected.
Histopathological examination identified the mass as moderately differentiated,
tubular adenocarcinoma with invasive growth and moderate to marked cellular
atypia and numerous mitoses. The presumptive origin of the neoplasia was one of
the salivary glands. Multiple metastases were identified in the lung both
macroscopically and histologically. Bacterial culture and molecular testing for
West Nile and Usutu viruses were negative. To the authors’ knowledge, this is
the first report of metastatic laryngeal and oropharyngeal adenocarcinoma in a
common raven.