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A Dark Spot in an Older Dog's Iris

by A reader

Reader Question
I have an 11 year old very healthy mixed breed (shepherd/walker hound and ??) large lean dog 99 lbs. I have noticed a discolouration in his iris (maroon colour, the size and shape of a medicine capsule). He has had an ear infection for a few weeks that we have had vet checked and been on anti biotics. His ear discharges a black liquid rather than a waxy discharge. We clean his ear and treat it twice a day and it appears to be getting somewhat better but not quite there yet. In our visit to the vet today we have now been given a different ear drop but were told that this discolouration of his eye which has appeared in the last couple of weeks is now likely a cancerous tumour. The suggestion was to remove his eye. Devastated, we have decided not to do anything, as the dog is not off balance, shows no sign of illness in any of his habbits (seeing, playing, eating or any of his other activities.) His ear appears to be getting better (it is not funky smelling and the discharge is still black liquid, getting less but hopefully with the new meds will go away) He had a swab done again today and there are only a few 'rods' showing in the specimen where as last time it was quite significant.

My question........what should I do or look for with this eye situation? He shows no symptoms, is playful, bright and energetic. He still plays well and normally with our other dog who is epileptic. These dogs are our only family at home now we are seniors. I have been reassured the dog is in no pain but I
do want to do what is right for him for a healthy normal as possible, life. All our other dogs, including a simular mix, lived to 20 years and passed due to age without disasterous situations. I am concerned if I do surgery, will this escalate something else? Don't break what isn't broken??......

I do have a very well respected vet who has looked after all our pets over the last 20 years. This is in no way a reflection on his care...........just another opinion greatly appreciated.

Any information would be greatefully appreciated.


Answer from Our Team

A new dark or maroon area in the iris of an older dog is most often either a pigmented growth (melanoma or melanocytoma) or harmless pigment changes. In dogs, most melanomas inside the eye grow slowly and spread less often than skin or mouth melanomas, but they can cause painful problems like glaucoma or bleeding inside the eye. A floating cyst is another possibility, and is harmless.

Waiting and watching is a reasonable choice for many dogs whose eye is comfortable and still sees, as long as the eye is checked regularly, often every few months. Photographs taken at home in the same light each week help you spot changes. A referral to a veterinary ophthalmologist can tell you more exactly what it is and how fast it is changing.

Removal is usually advised if the eye becomes painful, the pressure rises, it bleeds, or the spot grows quickly. Signs to watch for are redness, cloudiness, squinting, a change in pupil shape, or pawing at the eye. Many dogs do very well after an eye is removed if it does come to that.

See eye tumors in dogs.

This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.

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