Cutaneous Melanoma in a Rabbit With Multiple Metastatic Lesions: A Case Report.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Oncology
• Comparative Pathology

Background:

• Neoplasia is a growing concern in aging pet rabbits.
• Cutaneous melanoma is an uncommon but aggressive malignancy in rabbits.
• The specific characteristics of rabbit melanoma are not well-documented.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a case of cutaneous melanoma in a rabbit.
• To highlight the aggressive behavior and metastatic potential of this tumor type in rabbits.
• To inform clinicians about the challenges in diagnosing and treating rabbit melanoma.

Main Methods:

• A case study of a 5-year-old rabbit with a cutaneous mass.
• Surgical excision of the initial mass.
• Pathological evaluation including immunohistochemistry for definitive diagnosis.
• Monitoring for recurrence and metastasis.

Main Results:

• The rabbit developed a rapidly recurring mass with widespread metastasis to the face, chest, and lungs.
• Histopathology revealed malignant melanoma with high mitotic activity and lymphovascular invasion.
• Immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis of melanoma.
• Surgical intervention was insufficient due to presumed pre-existing micrometastasis.

Conclusions:

• Cutaneous melanoma in rabbits exhibits highly aggressive and metastatic behavior.
• Prognosis is often poor, with limited effective treatment options.
• Early detection and awareness of melanoma's aggressive potential are crucial for rabbit clinicians.
• Euthanasia is frequently the outcome in metastatic cases due to limited therapeutic strategies.