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Peer-reviewed veterinary case report

Facial skin disease with black crusts in Persian cats

By Bond et al.·Published in Veterinary Dermatology·2000·View original on Crossref

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Original publication title: An idiopathic facial dermatitis of Persian cats

Species:
cat

Plain-English summary

Thirteen Persian cats were brought in for chronic skin problems on their faces, showing symptoms like black material stuck to their skin, redness, and scratching. Some of these cats also had ear infections. Despite testing and treatments, including antibiotics and steroids, nothing seemed to work well, and the exact cause of the skin issue remains unknown. It’s possible that genetics could play a role in this condition.

People also search for: Persian cat skin problems · cat face dermatitis treatment · why is my cat scratching its face

Abstract

The clinical and histopathological features of 13 Persian cats which presented with chronic skin disease primarily affecting the face are described. Lesions were characterized by black material adherent to the skin and hair, accompanied by erythema and variable degrees of excoriation. Concurrent ceruminous otitis externa was observed in 7 cases. Histopathological examination of skin biopsy specimens showed marked acanthosis with crusting, hydropic degeneration and dyskeratotic basal epithelial cells, a mixed diffuse superficial inflammatory infiltrate and sebaceous hyperplasia. Malassezia pachydermatis yeasts and various bacteria were isolated from the lesions in some of the cats but in no case was antimicrobial therapy curative. The response to glucocorticoids was variable and often poor. No satisfactory therapeutic regimen could be identified and the cause of the disorder is unknown although a genetic basis is possible.

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Original publication on Crossref: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-3164.2000.00168.x