Occurrence of Xanthelasma in a Cow (the First Report)

Case Description- An eight-year-old Holstein cow with inflammed and abnormal left eyelid was referred to the veterinary clinic of Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman. Treatment and Outcome- Because of involvement of all structures of the eye, exenteration was done and abnormal tissues sent for histopathologic examination. Microscopic evaluations revealed mononuclear histiocytes filled with lipid in the dermis. Therefore, xanthelasma was diagnosed. Clinical Relevance- Xanthelasma is a kind of xanthoma of the eyelid which appeared as yellow, raised plaques contain foamy lipid laden macrophages. This tumor-like lesion is reported in human and rarely in dog, cat and birds. Some authors believe that hyperlipoproteinemia is the cause of the disease. This is the first report of occurrence of xanthelasma in cow.