My cat has eye freckles. Is it iris melanoma or just melanosis?

It could be iris melanoma but there is no way to know just by looking at a photo. You should have a veterinary ophthalmologist check the eye if you are really worried. At Cali's age I highly doubt it is melanoma but it is possible.

It is not uncommon for cats to develop brown or black spots on the iris. A pigmented area on the iris can be benign or malignant, and differentiating them is sometimes difficult. My guess is that these spots are what we call iris nevus. These are benign (like freckles). Since she has so many, this would be called iris melanosis. Iris melanosis is classified as benign, but in time, it may progress to a malignant melanoma. Although melanomas are rare in cats, the eye is the most common site for it to show up. The first hint that this could be melanoma is rapid growth. If you know the spot(s) is getting larger quickly, that is a warning sign. If the shape of the pupil has become deformed as it dilates and constricts, that is another potential red flag. I suggest you have Dixie examined by your vet to get a diagnosis. She needs a thorough exam with a ophthalmoscope. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Hello. I am sorry to hear that Ethan has spots on his eye. The eye has many different parts and where the spot is can determine the cause. If the spot is over the top of the eye (on top of the cornea) it could be dry-eye or changes to the cells of the cornea due to chronic irritation. If the spot is three-dimensional (more of a mass) it could be a blocked gland or a tumor (cancerous or not). If the spot is on the iris (inside the eye on the coloured portion), it could be iris atrophy (break down of the iris), iris freckle (normal), or could be melanoma of the eye. Without a picture/examination it is very difficult to narrow down what this could be. Feel free to start a 'Consultation' in order to share pictures and get a better idea, however your plan to have this checked by a veterinarian is a good idea. Due to Ethan's age it is more likely to be an infection or dry-eye, which likely will require medications. I hope Ethan feels better soon!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Emma. I would recommend that she has her eye evaluated by her veterinarian. Hopefully it is just a normal pigment change, but cats can develop a type of cancer known as melanoma in the eye. You would want this diagnosed as soon as possible. I hope this information helps you and Emma!

Certainly. The brown pigment of his eye appears to be an eye freckle. These are quite common in pets and are bengin, so no worries. Thanks for visiting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach and good luck moving forward with Sir Henry. Take care! : )

First off, are you sure of the diagnosis. Iris melanosis is usually found in older cats. It is not impossible for Foggy to have it at his age but it is not common. Luckily, most cases of iris melanosis do not undergo malignant change to melanoma. In fact, a cat with progressive iris melanosis is more likely to develop glaucoma from infiltration and obstruction of the drainage angle (the area in the eye where the intraocular fluid drains) than he is to develop distant metastasis. Although opinions vary, the usual approach to cats with iris melanosis is to follow the progress by semi-frequent (2 times per year) re-examination. If glaucoma develops, and the eye is painful, enucleation (removal) of the eye is recommended. If any of the pigmented lesions become raised, velvety or if pupillary distortion is evident this would suggest progression and the risk of malignant transformation. It is possible to do a fine needle aspiration biopsy of the mass and collect enough cells for a definitive diagnosis by the pathologist. This is a tricky technique which should only be done by a veterinary ophthalmologist. Two possible treatment options exist for iris melanoma. The first is a laser treatment using a diode laser to destroy the tumor cells. Laser treatment is confined to small masses. The second treatment option is enucleation (removal of the eye). This is to prevent spread of the cancer. There is no chemotherapy for this type of tumor/cancer if it progresses to that stage. Hope this clarifies. Best wishes to you and Foggy.

It is difficult to say for sure from the picture as there is some discoloration artifacts on the photo. If the spot is not raised and is flat, it is likely a spot of increased color (hyperpigmentation). It could be the start of a melanoma so it would be wise to keep a close eye on this. If you would like a definitive answer, I would have your veterinarian take a look at Bella so that the most appropriate recommendations can be made. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.