Freckles - pigment change - Melanoma???

jim peterford

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Hi all. Figured I would post on here to try and look for peace of mind. About 5 years ago I noticed a small brownish freckle on my girl Noelle's left eye. I brought her right to the vet who said that 95% of the time nothing comes of it and I shouldn't worry. At the time I didn't. To this day, the freckle remains unchanged (from what I can tell). About a week ago, I noticed that in both of her eyes that she has light brown pigmentation around the outer perimeter. Being freaked out, I brought her to my vet who looked at it and said that it looks like a color change and everything else looked normal, but to be certain I can make an appointment with an opthamologist. I did just that, and yesterday I brought her in. They did all the tests that they normally do for this concern, and the opthamologist said that her eyes looked great other than the freckle and the pigment change. She said to keep an eye on it and if there is any change to come back. She said even if there is no change I should come back in 6-8 months for a recheck to make sure everything is the same. This is where my paranoia sets in... I am a notorious worrier when it comes to my cats health. I read all sorts of stories online about melanoma and I basically feel like this is something that is doomed to happen. People I spoke with who have cats said that they have noticed a color change like this and it turned out to be nothing, but I am just scared to death that she is eventually going to need one if not BOTH eyes removed if this thing becomes cancerous... Does anyone here know what the chances are of these freckles and pigment changes becoming melanoma? I was always under the impression that it was rare, but I can't help but worry... Thank you for any help you can give me :)
 
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jim peterford

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this is a pic I shot two days ago. If you zoom in you can see what I'm talking about. Again, the eye doctor said she not concerned, but has anyone seen anything like this that HASN'T turned cancerous?
 

GemsGem

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I had a cat that developed loads of these freckles in his eyes the older he got. He was 18 when he died of old age.
He never developed cancer, lost his sight or had anything wrong with his eyes apart from these spots. In fact he was a very healthy cat and never had to see the vet for anything except his vaccinations.
So I would not be so worried if the vet says your cats eye is fine. I would recommend having the eye checked every 6-8 months, if it would make you feel better knowing nothing as changed.
 
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jim peterford

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That makes me feel a little better. I just freak out cuz I feel like this came out of nowhere.
 

rosieglow

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It is great that you are taking your cat to see the opthalmist every few months or so. The opthalmist knows exactly what to look for and will let you know if there are any changes. 

I posted a thread about my cat Bracken's experience with pigmentation turning out to diffuse iris melanoma. Bracken is a black cat and the freckle started getting larger noticeably after 6 years of staying pretty much the same size. The reason I worried there may be a problem was because I saw a black cat on the internet (posted from this site) with an almost identical freckle which was melanoma. The incidence of this condition is rare but occurs more with black cats due to their having more melanin in their systems than other cats.

Bracken did have her eye removed because at the last visit the opthalmist had indicated there could be a problem. Also, over the previous month Bracken had become a bit clumsy and had fallen off her cat tree. She had never done that before (she was 7). She had grown subdued and her coat had started to lose condition - this was very noticeable.

After the operation, she was given a clean bill of health by the surgeon. She is now happy, shiny and bouncing with health, shooting up her cat tree like a little canon ball and bossing her big sister again. 

You are doing everything right. I hope the above helps. Much love xx
 
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jim peterford

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So if you don't mind me asking a few questions... Was there ever the option to use the high energy laser on Bracken to try and save the eye, or was the condition too far advanced that there was no way? If caught early enough is this a possibility? I'm really scared about Noelle losing an eye, and what's even worse is that this brown pigment change is going on almost identically in both eyes.the small freckle is in her left, but the outer perimeter of both eyes are turning light brown if you get really close up and look. I am praying almost on an hourly basis that this doesn't progress any further, and I've spoken with some friends and even my regular vet who said that pigment changes can sometimes happen with age and that 95% of the time nothing comes of it. Is this true? I also have been reading that bilberry extract is good for eye health. Have you heard of anyone using this to maybe prevent any issues? Thanks again for your time. My two girls have been through so much in their lives and this site has been a savior to my sanity at times :)
 

rosieglow

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No problem at all.

Our opthalmist said he looks for 3 symptoms before doing something as drastic as removing a cat's eye because only with the 3 symptoms together could he be sure of an accurate diagnosis. For him, pigmentation change on its own wouldn't necessarily be a problem - he also said this was normal and generally age-related.  he would also need to see raised area on the surface of  the eye and change in pupil shape. Bracken's operation was prompted quickly because the opthalmist picked up a slight change in the shape of her pupil on the second visit. 

There wasn't ever an option to use the laser treatment on Bracken. Cats live normal and happy lives with one eye and Bracken is as happy and fit as when she was a 2 year old and looks just as pretty with the one eye. The operation saved her life and I am so grateful to the opthalmist and for Bracken's outcome. 

Both Bracken and Pippin (her sister) have yellow eyes and both have more light brown pigmentation around the edges now they are a bit older. I went through a short phase of worrying after Bracken's eye operation but feel that the coloration is normal and age-related, especially with Pippin because it is in both her eyes.

I personally would only worry if either of my cats were in any form of discomfort or behaving differently, as in my previous post. Or if the coloration became noticeably more pronounced or raised. Bracken's freckle was about 1/2cm round, it was mid brown with dark edges, and around the edge of the iris was going the same colour. The vet examined her eyes with some kind of specialist viewer, put drops in and tapped them gently. He made diagrams too. He wouldn't do anything invasive testing-wise. 

What your friends and vet are saying about 95% of pigment changing being age-related is exactly what I've heard and have read on the internet. The pigmentation is 95% harmless but if not, it seems to be black cats that are affected more. 

I've heard that bilberry extract is good for human eye health but wouldn't give anything medicinal to either of my cats unless it had been recommended by someone qualified in animal health, e.g an animal homeopathist or holistic therapist, and I would make sure the formulation was right for cats specifically. I do believe in prayer and also that positive thoughts, words and actions promote positive outcomes.

I do hope my response helps you stop worrying and yes, this is a great site.
 
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jim peterford

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Thanks for all the info! I spoke with the eye doctor again and my normal vet to just go over my concerns, and the ophthalmology dept said that if there is any change like the spots are no longer smooth or they become a concern they can just zap it with their laser as long as it is caught soon enough. I mentioned that I was worried because the brown pigment is in both eyes that she may one day need both her eyes taken out and they said they have never had to do that before. These are the highest rated and best specialists on Long Island so I guess I should let that calm my nerves. I'm still worried, but both the ophthalmologist and my regular vet are not concerned and I feel like if I keep a close eye on her that I can catch anything before drastic action needs to be taken.
 

rosieglow

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I have to say I did extensive research on the internet prior to Bracken's experience, and there was nothing posted on any site or contained in any documentation I saw where the 2 eye situation you describe occurred, My vet's opthalmist said he'd only ever heard of one eye being affected. Makes sense because they are self contained units.

You are fortunate to have the laser therapy option and top vets. Seriously, rest easy, your cats couldn't be in better hands.

Love to you all xx
 
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