Submitted by Emily Schreib, LVT, Walworth Animal Hospital, Walworth, N.Y.

Paintball, a 6-year-old, spayed domestic shorthair, was brought to our clinic for a second opinion. On presentation, Paintball was breathing like a brachycephalic dog and had odd growths on her face, but was otherwise healthy. The growths appeared when Paintball was about 1 year old. A FeLV/FIV test came back negative. The growths had spread along the ears and on the inside and outside of the nose and appeared to occlude the nares. The gingival tissue also contained lesions and growths, but they did not prohibit her from eating. Biopsies were taken of the ear, nostril and gingival tissue. The results showed melanocytomas with osseous metaplasia. This interested the pathologist, who had not seen this osseous metaplasia in cats before.

The case was referred to the oncology department at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, where the results were confirmed. No similar cases were found.

Other than sounding like a pug and the gremlin-like appearance she sports, Paintball continues to live a happy life!