The Feline Skin Disease Eosinophilic Granuloma

Function

• Eosinophilic granuloma occurs when there is a problem that affects the cat's eosinophil function, according to the Mar Vista Animal Medical Center. In healthy cats, the eosinophils (which make up 1 to 6 percent of white blood cells) combat parasites. They go to areas where the parasite is harming the cat and release special biochemicals that kill the parasite. In cats with eosinophilic granuloma, the eosinophils go to areas that have an allergic response to something and the biochemicals damage the cat's collagen, which can lead to skin irritations.

Types

• Eosinophilic granuloma causes three types of irritations to appear on a cat's body, according to Fabcats.org. The first is called an eosinophilic ulcer. These usually appear on the cat's upper lip near a canine tooth and don't cause the cat any pain. These ulcers can on some occasions spread toward the cat's nose. Eosinophilic plaque presents on the cat's skin and has a scaly, rough texture. It often affects younger cats. Collagenolytic granuloma usually presents on the cat's forelegs and are raised, hairless lesions. All of these lesions can become more severe if the cat repeatedly licks them. Sometimes licking even causes them to spread to other parts of the cat.

Cause

• Researchers have not yet been able to determine a cause of eosinophilic granuloma, though it does seem to be connected to the cat already having a hypersensitivity to such things as atopa, an insect allergy, or a food allergy, according to the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. It is also possible that bacterial infections can cause the disease. Some studies have shown that cats could have a genetic predisposition to the disease as well.

Diagnosis

• In order to diagnose the problem, the veterinarian will take a skin sample and most likely perform a biopsy to rule out other causes of the skin inflammations, such as cancer or a fungal infection, explains Fabcats.org. After examining the tissue, the veterinarian will be able to tell if it has the characteristics unique to eosinophilic granuloma.

Treatment

• The Mar Vista Animal Medical Center states that the most common treatment is to give the cat cortisone-type medications, as eosinophilic granuloma has been shown to respond to those medicines. Most cats receive an injection of a corticosteroid--Depomedrol being a common one--and it usually only takes two injections for the lesions to begin disappearing. Sometimes the cat will go on a food allergy diet if the veterinarian thinks that contributed to the problem. Other medications, such as chlorambucil, are used in more severe cases.