Oral melanoma in dog. Report of three cases

Malignant melanoma is a tumor arising from melanocytes with an important role in blocking ultraviolet rays. Of common occurrence in dogs, has been associated with thistumor type to risk factors as race, gender and species. The animals affected by this disease commonly present drooling, halitosis and dysphagia. Treatment is by surgical excision with or without chemotherapy or radiotherapy. We report the occurrence of oral melanoma in three dogs treated with complaints of swelling in the oral cavity. After clinical evaluation we opted for surgical removal of the tumor through hemimandibulectomy. Surgical treatment was effective in two of three patients and tumor recurrence was observed in one of the dogs.