ORAL MELANOMA IN A DOG: CASE REPORT

Abstract

Oral melanoma is an aggressive neoplasm with high metastatic potential in dogs, presenting a guarded to unfavorable prognosis. This study aimed to report a case of oral melanoma in a 12-year-old female Poodle, highlighting the clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects of the disease. The patient was presented with proliferative masses in the oral cavity, located in the maxilla and gingival mucosa. Hematological, biochemical, radiographic, electrocardiographic, cytological, and histopathological examinations were performed. Cytology indicated a malignant round cell neoplasm, while histopathological examination confirmed oral melanoma, with different degrees of differentiation among the evaluated nodules. Thoracic radiography showed no evidence of pulmonary metastases. Maxillectomy was considered the treatment of choice; however, it was not performed due to case-related limitations. Chemotherapy with carboplatin was chosen, and hematological changes were observed during the protocol, leading to its discontinuation. The patient subsequently died. This case reinforces the importance of early diagnosis, histopathological confirmation, and adequate staging for therapeutic guidance and prognosis establishment.