Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cats with hair loss and thickened face from follicle inflammation
By Gross, T L et al.·Published in Veterinary dermatology·2001·California Dermatopathology Service and IDEXX Veterinary Services, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Degenerative mucinotic mural folliculitis in cats.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
Seven cats were brought in with hair loss, scaling, and thickened skin, especially on their heads, necks, and shoulders. Most of the cats were also unusually tired but didn’t show other serious health issues. Despite trying immunomodulating therapy, none of the cats improved significantly, and the exact cause of their skin condition remained unknown. This condition, called degenerative mucinotic mural folliculitis, led to inflammation and some damage to their hair follicles, but it did not seem to be linked to any specific disease like lymphoma.
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Abstract
A novel form of mural folliculitis is described in seven cats. Clinically, all cats exhibited generalized alopecia with scaling or crusting that was more pronounced over the head, neck, and shoulders. The face and muzzle of all cats was unusually thickened. Six of seven cats were progressively lethargic but did not demonstrate any other consistent systemic abnormalities. Histologically, there was severe mixed inflammation of the wall of the follicular isthmus in all cats, accompanied by some follicular destruction in five cats. Sebaceous glands were not affected. All cats had variable, but often striking, follicular mucin deposition, as well as epidermal hyperkeratosis and crusting. The cause of the severe mural folliculitis was not identified, and all cats responded poorly to immunomodulating therapy. Follicular mucinosis may be a nonspecific finding, likely reflective of the follicular lymphocytic milieu, and does not always herald follicular lymphoma.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11906653/