Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Herpesvirus skin sores on cat flanks without face spots
By Sánchez, Melissa D et al.·Published in Veterinary dermatology·2012·Department of Pathobiology, 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 We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above.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: Herpesvirus dermatitis in two cats without facial lesions.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 12-year-old Bengal cat and a 3-year-old Siamese cat were brought in with skin problems, specifically plaques and ulcers on their sides, rather than the usual facial lesions associated with feline herpesvirus (FeHV-1). After taking skin samples for testing, it was confirmed that both cats had dermatitis caused by FeHV-1. This unusual presentation highlights the importance of recognizing that herpesvirus can affect areas other than the face. Proper diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment, and both cats likely received appropriate care based on their diagnosis.
People also search for: cat skin problems · feline herpesvirus treatment · cat ulcers on side · Bengal cat dermatitis · Siamese cat skin infection
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cats with feline herpesvirus (FeHV-1)-associated dermatitis typically present with ulcerative lesions on the rostral muzzle and nasal planum. This report describes FeHV-1 dermatitis in the flank region, in the absence of facial lesions. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: Clinicians should be aware of this unusual manifestation of FeHV-1 dermatitis to prevent potential misdiagnosis. ANIMALS: A 12-year-old male castrated Bengal cat and a 3-year-old male castrated Siamese cat with plaques and ulcers in the flank region are described. METHODS: Formalin-fixed biopsy samples were obtained from lesional skin. Histopathology and FeHV-1 immunohistochemistry were performed. RESULTS: Each sample had epidermal and follicular necrosis with a dense dermal infiltrate of eosinophils. Few to moderate numbers of intranuclear inclusion bodies were present in keratinocytes. The presence of FeHV-1 in the lesions was confirmed with immunohistochemistry. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Feline herpesvirus-associated dermatitis should not be ruled out based on the location of the lesion, because a correct diagnosis is imperative for proper treatment. Future studies to assess the cause of lesions at this unusual site are warranted.
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/22264263/