• Chris Pirie, DVM, DACVO
• Dodd Sledge, DVM DACVP
• Shaile Gehrke, DVM

• Evidence of pigment change on feline iris or evidence of iridial tumor
• Male or female felines, any age, any breed
• Clinically stable

• Feline with underlying health issues that put it at risk for anesthetic procedure:
  • Uncontrolled metabolic disease, heart failure, renal failure, and/or primary systemic neoplasia (not melanoma)
• Feline exhibiting other severe ocular signs:
  • Active feline herpes, Active eosinophilic keratitis, Sequestrum, Active corneal ulceration

In felines, the eye is the most common location for melanocytic tumors to occur. Unfortunately, melanomas have the potential to metastasize to other organs. Currently, there is no non-invasive diagnostic technique to differentiate ocular melanocytic tumors. Enucleation and histopathology are currently the only reliable technique to accurately diagnose feline iris melanocytic tumors.

This study aims to explore the diagnostic utility of a novel imaging system to characterize spectral features of melanocytic tumors. It is hypothesized that high resolution imaging of iridial melanocytic tumors in felines will generate unique spectral data that will permit clear differentiation between malignant (melanoma) and benign (melanosis) regions using this imaging system.

• This study will cover 100% of costs associated with conducting the following laboratory testing:
  • Complete blood count (CBC)
  • Chemistry
  • Urinalysis
  • Blood pressure
• This study will cover 100% costs associated with conducting the following post-surgical diagnostics:
  • Biopsy histopathology of enucleated eye
• Client will receive a discount on the following:
  • Initial ophthalmology exam fee
  • Enucleation surgical fee

Please contact us by phone at 517-353-5420, or email Dr. Pirie or Dr. Gehrke, if you have any questions or if you have any patients which meet the above enrollment criteria.