Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Raccoonpox virus infection in a Canadian cat with paw ulcer
By Yager, Julie A et al.·Published in Veterinary dermatology·2006·Yager-Best Veterinary Surgical Pathology, Canada·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Raccoonpox in a Canadian cat.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A cat in Canada developed skin sores on its forepaw, which turned out to be caused by a rare raccoonpox virus. A biopsy showed changes in the skin cells, and further testing confirmed the presence of the virus. Fortunately, after receiving appropriate treatment, the cat made a full recovery and is now healthy again.
People also search for: cat skin sores treatment · raccoonpox in cats · cat skin infection recovery
Abstract
Poxvirus infections affecting the skin of cats are extremely rare in North America, in contrast to Europe where cowpox virus is well recognized as an accidental pathogen in cats that hunt small rodents. The virus or viruses responsible for the anecdotal cases in North America have never been characterized. This paper reports a case of raccoonpox infection in a Canadian cat. Biopsy of the initial ulcerative lesion on the forepaw revealed ballooning degeneration of surface and follicular keratinoctyes. Infected cells contained large eosinophilic type A inclusions. Electron microscopic examination revealed virions of an orthopoxvirus, subsequently identified as raccoonpox by polymerase chain reaction and gene sequencing. The cat made a full recovery.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17083577/