Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat with hair loss and itching from yeast infection linked to cancer
By Godfrey, D R·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·1998·Nine Lives Veterinary Practice for Cats·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: A case of feline paraneoplastic alopecia with secondary Malassezia-associated dermatitis.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 13-year-old female domestic shorthaired cat had hair loss on her belly that got worse despite treatment for hyperthyroidism. The cat also developed itching on her legs, and tests showed a yeast infection (Malassezia) on her skin. Treatment with an antifungal medication and a special shampoo helped reduce the itching, but she later experienced severe weight gain, diarrhea, and increased thirst. Unfortunately, she was euthanized after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer that had spread to her liver, which was linked to her skin issues.
People also search for: cat hair loss treatment · cat itching and yeast infection · feline pancreatic cancer symptoms
Abstract
A 13-year-old neutered female domestic shorthaired cat had progressive ventral abdominal alopecia attributed initially to hyperthyroidism. Corrective treatment by unilateral thyroidectomy did not, however, resolve the dermatosis and the alopecia progressed to involve the whole ventral trunk, the lower limbs and the head. Pruritus of the lower limbs was a prominent feature and was associated with the finding of Malassezia on cytology; Malassezia-associated dermatitis was diagnosed. Resolution of pruritus was seen after treatment with oral ketoconazole and a cleansing shampoo to eliminate the yeast, but severe polyphagia, small intestinal diarrhoea and polydipsia developed subsequently and the cat was euthanased. Necropsy revealed an exocrine pancreatic adenocarcinoma with hepatic metastases. The pancreatic, hepatic and dermatological lesions were found to be typical of feline paraneoplastic alopecia (FPA). Malassezia-associated dermatitis can be associated with pruritus in cats with FPA.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9741876/