Watching a Freckle in a Dog's Eye
by Mary
A freckle in the iris isn't cancer. It's flat pigment that doesn't change the shape of the pupil. Your vet wants to watch it because an early tumor can look similar at first, and the way to tell them apart is to see whether it changes. Most dark tumors inside a dog's eye are benign anyway.
Check her eye in good light, not in the dark. Take a clear photo of the eye every month or so in the same light and from the same angle, so you can compare. Watch for the spot growing, becoming raised, spreading, or changing the shape of the pupil, and for redness, cloudiness or squinting. Vets often recheck spots like this every 4 to 6 months, with an eye pressure check.
We don't know of any evidence linking chemical exposure to eye freckles. Chemical burns mainly affect the surface of the eye. Since she has a heart murmur and has been sleeping more, mention both to your vet, and ask them to keep the murmur in mind if any procedure is ever suggested.
See dark spots in a dog's eye.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.
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