Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Eye melanoma linked to Nevus of Ota in German Shepherd dog
By Mezzadri, V et al.·Published in Australian veterinary journal·2026·Oculistica Veterinaria Genova, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Uveal melanoma associated with Nevus of Ota in a German Shepherd dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 4-year-old male German Shepherd was brought to the vet with a 3-day history of pain in his right eye. The owner noticed that the right side of his face had darkened skin since he was a puppy, a condition known as Nevus of Ota. After examining the eye, the vet found severe issues, including high pressure and thickening of the iris. Despite trying medications to reduce inflammation and pressure, the dog's condition worsened over four months, leading to the removal of the eye. Unfortunately, the dog later died due to suspected spread of cancer to the lungs.
People also search for: German Shepherd eye problems · Nevus of Ota in dogs · dog eye cancer treatment
Abstract
A 4-year-old male German Shepherd dog was presented with a 3-day history of ocular pain in the right eye. The owner reported facial skin hyperpigmentation on the right side since puppyhood, consistent with a congenital condition known as Nevus of Ota or (oculo)dermal melanocytosis. Ophthalmological examination of the right eye revealed diffuse corneal oedema, vascular scleral congestion, diffuse iris hyperpigmentation, iris bombè and dyscoria; intraocular pressure was markedly elevated (41 mmHg). Ipsilateral facial skin was diffusely hyperpigmented along ophthalmic and maxillary branch innervation. The left eye showed no abnormalities. Ultrasonography of the right eye revealed severe iris thickening. Despite medical management consisting of topical anti-inflammatory and antiglaucoma therapy, clinical signs progressively worsened over the following 4 months, and enucleation was ultimately performed; the globe was subsequently submitted for histopathological examination. Preoperative thoracic radiography and abdominal ultrasonography were declined by the owner. Histopathologically, the anterior uveal architecture was completely affected by an infiltrating neoplasia, with transscleral extension to surrounding orbital tissues. An anterior uveal mixed cell type, scarcely melanotic melanoma was diagnosed. The dog died because of suspected pulmonary metastases 2 months after enucleation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a uveal melanoma associated with the nevus of Ota in a dog.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41814890/