title: Suspected latent vertebral metastasis of uveal melanoma in a dog: a case report.
abstract: A six-year-old intact male Pomeranian was examined because of right eye discomfort. An iris neoplasm was suspected and the eye was enucleated. A uveal melanoma with malignant features was diagnosed. The dog recovered uneventfully from surgery. A general physical examination was performed at 3-month intervals afterwards without any detectable problem, but 18 months after the first presentation the dog suffered a rapid, progressive paraplegia. Radiographic examination and myelography revealed a spinal cord compression at the level of the 8th thoracic (T8) vertebral body. Surgical exploration of the area revealed a potential vertebral neoplasm: histopathology confirmed a melanoma which was suspected to have resulted from metastasis from the previously diagnosed uveal melanoma.
authors.affiliation: Ambulatorio Veterinario Associato 'M. E. Miller', Via della Costituzione, 10, 42025 Cavriago-Reggio Emilia, Italy. grovesti@tin.it
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Rovesti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Guandalini
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Peiffer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004285:Dogs; D015811:Iris Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000556:secondary / Q000662:veterinary*; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000662:veterinary; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000556:secondary / Q000662:veterinary*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae