Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Crusty skin and sores in cats from pemphigus foliaceus
By Peterson, Andrea & McKay, Lindsay·Published in Compendium (Yardley, PA)·2010·University of Minnesota, United States·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Crusty cats: feline pemphigus foliaceus.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A cat with crusty skin and sores, particularly on the ears, nose, and chin, may have a condition called pemphigus foliaceus, which is an immune system disorder. Diagnosis is confirmed through skin tests that show specific types of cells in the affected areas. Treatment typically involves long-term use of corticosteroids or other medications to help manage the symptoms and keep the condition under control. While most cats will need ongoing treatment, many can live comfortably with the right care.
People also search for: cat skin problems crusty ears · pemphigus foliaceus treatment for cats · cat sores on chin · cat immune system disorder symptoms
Abstract
Pemphigus foliaceus (PF) is an immune-mediated disease that causes pustules and crusted lesions, most commonly on the pinnae, nasal planum, periocular area, chin, and feet of affected cats. Acantholytic cells caused by degradation of intercellular adhesions are often seen on cytology but are not pathognomonic for PF. A definitive diagnosis is made based on histopathology showing subcorneal pustules with nondegenerate neutrophils and acantholytic cells. PF is treated with immunosuppressive doses of corticosteroids alone or in combination with other immunosuppressive medications, such as chlorambucil or cyclosporine. Most patients require lifelong treatment with these medications to keep the disease in remission.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20949421/