OCULAR MELANOMA IN DOGS AND CATS: EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SURVEY IN PORTUGA

Abstract

Purpose: The epidemiology of ocular melanoma in dogs and cats in Portugal was assessed. Methods: Data collection was carried out through the distribution of an online questionnaire for veterinarians in Portugal. The survey covered the year 2018 and was made available for responses from 2019-2020. Results: 47 responses were obtained, representing 5.7% of there turn to the survey. A total of 32.61% of the professionals who responded to the survey were located in Lisbon and Vale do Tejo. In canine and feline species, eyelid was the most affected site (62.50%) by general neoplasms, followed by intraocular structures (22.50%). Melanoma occurred more frequently in the intraocular structures. The mean age of dogs and cats affected by melanoma was 9.0 and 9.5 years, respectively. Predominance of breed was non-defined for dogs (37.50%) and all cats were common European(mixedbreed,100%). The diagnosis was made through clinical evaluation and histological examination. Enucleation was the predominant treatment. Metastases reported occurred in the lung, lymphnodes, liver and brain. Conclusions: As far as we know this was the first attempt to perform an epidemiological study of the ocular melanomas in dogs and cats. Collaboration of veterinarians was limited; thus, a small number of responses was achieved. Due to the number of participations and responses to the survey, additional studies are essential.