April 2nd 2011 7:35 pm
[ Leave A Comment | 4 people already have ]

Mom took me to the vet on Thursday 03/31/2011 to have a strange brown spot on my left eye evaluated. My vet feels it is feline iris hyperpigmentation or Melanosis. The brown spot is most likely nothing to worry about... but will be monitored as it can occasionally lead to glaucoma or iris melanoma (cancer). My vet found NO evidence of a tumor. So, we will just watch it. If the spot get bigger, if I get more spots, or if it ever seems to bother me - they my vet would want to see me and probably refer me to a veterinary ophthalmologist. For now, it's nothing to worry much about at this time. Here's a link about it: melanosis

However, from a show perspective, my vet feels the spot is most likely permanent although there is a small chance it might fade. Show cats have to look perfect (it is a beauty contest after all)... and Mom says I probably won't be able to go to shows anymore.

Purred by: Minka (Catster Member)

April 3rd 2011 at 5:40 am

Rider, you're still one handsome specimen in our books. Glad your eye problem is not anything serious, but more cosmetic!

Purred by: Rider (Dreamboat #72b) (Catster Member)

April 3rd 2011 at 12:13 pm

Thanks Minka!

Purred by: Colette Sidonie-Samantha (Catster Member)

April 5th 2011 at 12:14 am

No matter what, Rider, you are just gorgeous! Are you friends with Ashlynne and Beepers? You may want to talk to their Mom. She just went through the same thing with Ashlynne.

Headbonks...

Purred by: Ashlynne (Catster Member)

April 5th 2011 at 9:02 am

Hi Rider! I just wanted to say here that I was still a show cat after I had pigment spots on my right eye. I got my GP after that. My former Mom in Ohio, who was the one who showed me to GP, said the spots did not seem to affect the judging.

If you look at page 3 of my Plus Photobook - HERE - you'll see 2 professional photos of me. The red one was taken in 2006 and I believe the blue one was, too, but I'm not certain. Anyway, you can see the spots in my eye while I was still a show cat. I even went to Germany after the red photo and won a big ribbon there, and got 13th place internationally (or something like that).

So your show career may not be over because of the spot. Most important is the health aspect, of course, and I'll send you a pmail later today about my recent experience. Your Mom already knows to watch for any changes, so that's good!