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Expert: - 7/24/2010


Question
Hi, my 3 year dalmatian/ black lab cross really he is a Heinz we do not know exactly all the breeds he is because we adopted him and they only knew that the mom was dalmatian/ black lab but they don't know what the dad was? Anyway just 2 weeks ago we noticed a black spot round in diameter small was formed in the very inner corner on the white of his left blue eye ( his left eye is blue and his right eye is brown.) So we took him to the vet to get it checked and she said that it was odd looking to her and it could be just black pigmentation. So she gave us drops to put in his eye for 10 days twice a day and it has now been 10 days and its still there no bigger and in the same spot. She said to come back in 10 days and she would refer us to an eye specialist for dogs. I am wondering If this is something I should be worried about and take him back to get referred? Thanks :)

Answer
While I am not a vet Shyla I can  tell you that any time a dog gets a black pigment spot on an eye or in the mouth it should be looked at more closely as soon as possible. While it could be just pigmentation (unusual for an eye) it has a chance of being a melanoma, which is rare but deadly form of cancer. Granted it isn't often seen in 3 yr old dogs but cancer has no age limits.

So I wouldn't hesitate at all. Have it looked at soon. Call you vet and get the referral- don't wait 10 more days.
I don't want to scare you but this is one thing that cannot be let go on a wait and see basis.

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Jana Connell RVT, CVT

Expertise

PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING TO ME: I am NOT a vet and do NOT diagnose diseases. That is only for a licensed Veterinarian to do. I will give you suggestions and steer you toward calling your vet for help. You can call the vet's office and talk to the technician there or the vet at times. Don't be afraid to call them! If you have a serious issue with your pet please post it to one of the veterinarians in here- I will tell you the same thing in my answer. IF your pet is injured or in an emergency situation, CALL YOUR VET- Do not wait and post in here. Just call the vet's office and get them in to see the vet right away. Critical treatment time is lost if you seek answers here when you should have your precious pet at the vets!! Don't sit at home waiting for an answer when your pet is critically ill or injured!! I can answer most questions about small animal and wildlife care as well as small animal nutrition. I can also answer questions about all phases of dental care for small animals. I DO NOT answer questions about birds (unless it is wildlife or songbirds) or HAMSTERS/GERBILS/CHINS/GUINEA PIGS/REPTILES/FROGS/RABBITS/PET BIRDS OF ANY KIND so please submit these questions to the appropriate sections. I, as well as other experts in here, do NOT do homework questions- that is for YOU to do! Please respect these rules for all of us. Thanks!

Experience

I have over 35 years experience in the field of veterinary medicine. I specialized in small animals and did wildlife rehab for over 25 years, mostly raptors, squirrels and opossums. I am a Small Animal Nutritional Consultant with 6 certificates from Hills Pet Foods, CNM and Purina. I also specialized in Small Animal Dentistry which is a field I truly love.

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Audubon,World Wildlife Federation, American Society of Veterinary Dental Technicians.

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Licensed with California and Oregon, RVT and CVT. Certified Veterinary Dental Technician Have over 500 logged hours of Continuing Education Credits(that means I keep up to date!).

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Nominated for Expert of the Month for the last 5 years.

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