Eosinophilic granuloma in cats: description, possible causes and characteristics of treatment

Eosinophilic granuloma in cats is quite common. This dangerous disease causes inflammation of the skin and mucous membranes. In some cases, it can even turn into cancer. Treating granuloma should be under the strict supervision of a veterinarian. Otherwise, the death of the animal is not excluded.

How and when it can manifest itself

The causes of the occurrence of granulomas in cats, unfortunately, are not fully understood by the doctors until the end. It is believed that this disease is not independent. Indeed, most often it manifests itself in the form of a symptom of other problems. It can be:

• Hypersensitivity of the animal;
• Allergic skin diseases;
• Food intolerance.

Most scientists agree that granuloma occurs due to the activity of eosinophils. This is the name of one of the varieties of leukocytes present in the blood of mammals.

Varieties of the disease

The basis for the diagnosis is anamnesis, clinical signs and the absence of other diseases with similar symptoms. There is a complex of eosinophilic granulomas in cats in four main forms:

• Eosinophilic plaque;
• Actually a granuloma;
• Eosinophilic plaque;
• Eosinophilic ulcer.

The main sign of the disease is the presence of inflammation of the skin and mucous membranes, as well as ulceration. Distinguish from each other, these forms of the disease are mainly only the location of the latter and their appearance.

Eosinophilic plaque

This is a fairly common form of such a disease, as eosinophilic granuloma of cats. Symptoms of it are usually pronounced. In this case, the diseased animal ulcers appear on virtually any part of the body. But most often plaques are found on the hips and abdomen of a cat. The number of them in this case can be any - from 1-2 to several tens. The shape they have is clearly delineated, oval or round. The skin of the animal can be affected both by small (0.5 cm) and large (up to 10 cm) plaques.

With this form of the disease the cat becomes very restless, itches itself, bites itself, requires attention. This is explained by the accompanying appearance of plaques with itching. Over time, inside such sores, a fluid flows outward.

Granuloma eosinophilic: signs

In this case, the nodal lesions appear on the animal's body. They arise most often on the lips of the animal, the back side of the thighs, in the mucocutaneous zones and on the muzzle. Eosinophilic granuloma in cats is manifested mainly only by the proper presence of nodules. An animal does not show any anxiety in this case, since these lesions do not hurt and do not itch. When examining a cat, in addition to nodules, with this form of granuloma, enlarged lymph nodes are usually found.

This form is usually caused by animals under one year of age. In this case, most often it appears in males.

Eosinophilic plaque

This form can affect cats of any age. Externally, eosinophilic plaque manifests itself in the form of baldness with reddening of the skin. On the affected areas, it is usually very itchy ulcers and rashes. There are bald areas with this form usually on the neck, hips and back of the animal. In most cases, over time, they progress.

Eosinophilic ulcer

This form of the disease is manifested by the appearance on the skin of the cat of flat lesions without wool. The most common ulcer is formed on the upper lip of the animal. Sometimes lesions appear in the oral cavity (from both sides). In the latter case, symptoms can be observed, such as difficulty swallowing and a lack of desire to eat. In this case, because of chronic starvation in a cat can develop lipidosis of the liver.

What to look for when making a diagnosis

As already mentioned, when diagnosing granulomas, among other things, the presence of other diseases with similar symptoms is also checked in the animal. These include:

• Various bacterial infections;
• Fungal lesions;
• Skin tumors.

For an accurate diagnosis in the veterinary clinic, careful examination of smears-prints is performed. In this case, the presence of eosinophils in the blood.

What to do if detected

Eosinophilic granuloma in cats - the disease is very serious. Therefore, if there are signs of it, you should immediately contact your veterinarian. Most often, this disease develops against the background of an animal's allergy to some food products. Therefore, the first thing to do is to adjust the cat's diet.

Also, often the cause of the granuloma is the allergic reaction of the cat's body to the saliva of fleas. In this case, the animal should first of all be rid of parasites. To do this, you can use special shampoos, sprays and drops. In addition to the actual coat of a cat, it is necessary to process its litter and toys, and, if possible, the entire apartment as a whole. After two weeks, it is desirable to repeat the procedure.

For the treatment of ulcers is often prescribed in the occurrence of a disease such as eosinophilic granuloma in cats, "Lorinden S". This ointment is treated with plaques on the animal's body. Antibiotics of general action are also prescribed. They should be given 2-3 weeks. To achieve remission, methylprednisolone acetate is prescribed (4 mg / kg every 2-3 weeks). Instead, Prednisolone may be prescribed (2 mg / kg orally at a frequency of 12 hours). These drugs should be taken until all the plaques disappear. On average, the course of treatment lasts 2-8 weeks.

Improvements in the reception of these animals are usually observed in the first two weeks. Lower the dose of medications gradually. In the future, preventive and supportive courses are mandatory. For example, a doctor can advise taking methylprednisolone once every 2-3 months as needed.

Eosinophilic granuloma in cats: treatment with other medicines

Sometimes it happens that the hormones methylprednisolone and prednisolone from this disease do not help. Plaques in the animal, even after prolonged use do not pass. In this case, the following can be assigned:

• "Dexamethasone" (0.4 mg / kg every day).
• "Triamcinolone" (0.8 mg / kg once a day).

If the animal does not get better from these drugs, the doctor usually checks the correctness of the diagnosis. If it is confirmed, the following are appointed:

• "Doxycycline" (5-10 mg / kg twice a day).
• "Trimethoprim" (125 mg twice daily).
• "Cyclosporine" (25 mg per day for 8-14 weeks).

Some pet owners fear that the eosinophilic granuloma of cats is transmitted to humans. To be afraid of this should not be. Disease for people is completely safe. Treat the pet with prescribed medications at home.

Prevention

In order to prevent the development of the disease, you should try first of all to exclude the possibility of allergy. Cat diet should be designed correctly. In addition, it is necessary to take preventive measures to prevent the infection of the animal fleas. As already mentioned, the bites of these insects often cause a disease such as eosinophilic granuloma in cats. How to treat the skin of an animal - this can be read in the instructions attached to the selected tool. For prevention, sprays and drops are usually applied once a month.

If necessary, after consultation with a veterinarian, to prevent the development of granulomas, you can give the cat allergic and medicines. Most often in this case, appointed acaricides. Deciding to treat the cat with drugs of this group, one should keep in mind that steroids sharply reduce the immunity to the development of various bacterial diseases. Prophylaxis with the use of such drugs, therefore, is only possible on individual indications taking into account the age of the cat, its breed, etc. Simultaneously with acaricides, animals are usually prescribed drugs that support immunity.