Snowflake the reindeer has been successfully treated by specialists at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) following the identification of a neoplastic lesion of the third eyelid.

The nine-year-old reindeer, who is part of a herd of 20 reindeer based in Rutland and known to appear in a host of television shows, received treatment from the Ophthalmology Service at the RVC’s Queen Mother Hospital for Animals for a tumour on her left third eyelid.

Snowflake previously had a squamous cell carcinoma mass, a common form of skin cancer, on the right lower eyelid, which was completely removed in 2018. Following her owner noticing an abnormal growth in the left eye, her owner brought her back to the RVC.

The team, led by Dr Maria-Christine Fischer, Lecturer in Ophthalmology, Dr Sara Lawrence-Mills, Senior Clinical Training Fellow in Anaesthesia, and Dr Carolina Palacios Jimenez, Lecturer in Anaesthesia, examined Snowflake. On presentation, Snowflake was bright and in good body condition, weighing 71kg. Both eyes were open and appeared comfortable and visual. Ocular reflexes and responses were also present as expected and there was no evidence of recurrence of the squamous cell carcinoma on the lower right eyelid.

Snowflake was, however, diagnosed with mild cataracts in her right eye deemed unlikely to interfere with her vision. In addition, the mass of her left third eyelid was nonpigmented and displayed a poorly defined mass-like lesion, with an irregular surface on the leading edge, appearing consistent with a squamous cell carcinoma.

The team decided to undertake surgery. They removed the third eyelid under sedation and applied local anaesthetic blocks and topical tetracaine eye drops. Cryotherapy was then applied to the wound edge as an adjunctive therapy.

To date, there are few publications detailing anaesthesia in reindeer and so this protocol was a novel approach to maintaining a safe level of sedation in a well-domesticated animal. The use of these nerve blocks to facilitate ophthalmic surgery has not been reported before and is in the process of being published.

Snowflake’s third eyelid was submitted for histopathology, which confirmed the diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma, which the team at the RVC was able to remove completely.

During the process, Snowflake’s daughter was with her so they both remained calm, and she has now made a full recovery and has enjoyed being reunited with her herd.

Dr Maria-Christine Fischer, Lecturer in Ophthalmology at the RVC, said: “Snowflake had a cancerous mass on her third eyelid. Surgical removal of the third eyelid in a Reindeer has not been reported before. We were pleased that we could perform the surgery with Snowflake under a standing sedation and with using local anaesthetics. As an ophthalmologist, I am committed to preserving vision so it’s rewarding that we were able to completely excise the tumour and did not have to remove the eyeball. It’s a very good outcome.

“I’m also pleased that Snowflake recovered quickly from the procedure, and we were able to share the protocol of the sedation and the local nerve blocks with other vets via a scientific publication. Sharing our knowledge will hopefully be beneficial for future ophthalmic surgeries in reindeer.”

Nick Dean, Snowflake’s owner, said: “Our experience with the RVC has been fantastic. Dr Alex McSloy has been a great help over the years with her knowledge of reindeer which has been passed on to other veterinary trainees. Dr Marie Fischer is a brilliant ophthalmological surgeon who did a great job removing the initial tumour on Snowflake’s eye and subsequently her second eyelid.”

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