Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat with itchy skin bumps linked to high blood fat and mites
By Vogelnest, L J·Published in Australian veterinary journal·2001·University Veterinary Centre, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Cutaneous xanthomas with concurrent demodicosis and dermatophytosis in a cat.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 9-month-old domestic long-haired cat had multiple itchy, crusty bumps on its head and neck. Initially thought to be a different skin issue, the cat was diagnosed with cutaneous xanthomas (fatty skin growths) and also had a mild case of demodicosis (a skin mite infection) and a fungal infection. The vet treated the itching with medications and put the cat on a low-fat diet to manage the high fat levels in its blood. After adding an antifungal medication, the skin lesions cleared up, and the cat's eye problems improved as well. Although the cat later developed diabetes, it remained healthy with ongoing treatment.
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Abstract
Multiple cutaneous xanthomas, associated with fasting hyperlipidaemia, are described in a 9-month-old domestic long-haired cat. A severely pruritic, papular, and crusting dermatitis affecting the head and neck, initially diagnosed as lesions of the eosinophilic granuloma complex, progressively developed on the head and pinnae. Pruritus was controlled with administration of prednisolone and chlorambucil. Repeat histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of cutaneous xanthoma and concurrent mild demodicosis. Marked fasting hypercholesterolaemia, hypertriglyceridaemia and transient hyperglycaemia were subsequently confirmed. Treatment for hyperlipidaemia and xanthomas with a low-fat diet (Hill's Feline r/d) and the previously unreported treatment for feline demodicosis of daily oral milbemycin were commenced. Multiple pink, alopecic plaques and papules gradually regressed, however pruritus recurred if immunosuppressive treatment was reduced, and well-demarcated areas of alopecia developed on the head, limbs and trunk, despite negative skin scrapings for demodex mites. Fungal culture of hair samples yielded Microsporum canis. All cutaneous lesions resolved with the addition of griseofulvin to the treatment regimen. Concurrent corneal ulceration and keratoconjunctivitis sicca ultimately resolved with treatment, including topical cyclosporin. Diabetes mellitus developed 6 months after resolution of skin lesions. No cutaneous or ocular abnormalities were present 6 months later with continued low-fat diet and insulin administration, although transient recurrence of papules and pruritus occurred after inadvertent access to a fatty meal. An underlying primary hyperlipidaemia was suspected, causing pruritic xanthomas. This may represent the first report of concurrent cutaneous xanthomas, demodicosis and dermatophytosis in a cat.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11549045/