Page 1090 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

1082 PART 13 CAT WITH SKIN PROBLEMS

continued

METABOLIC
● Acquired cutaneous fragility syndrome (p 1098)
Thin, fragile skin which is not hyperextensibile, and which tears easily. Secondary to metabolic
conditions such as hyperadrenocorticoidism (endogenous or iatrogenic) or diabetes.
● Xanthoma (p 1099)
Plagues or nodules with a yellowish-white appearance which often ulcerate and occur mostly over
bony protuberances (areas of incidental trauma). Most common in cats associated with hyperlipi-
demia.
● Metabolic epidermal necrosis (MEN) (p 1099)
Crusting lesions at mucocutaneous junctions and pressure points in an unwell cat. Skin lesions are
secondary to pancreatic or hepatic disorders.
NEOPLASIA
● Squamous cell carcinoma** (p 1089)
Occurs in old cats (average age 9 years). Multiple or single lesions occur on the pinnae, philtrum,
nares, forehead and palpebrae, in non-pigmented, thinly haired areas. Lesions may be proliferative
or ulcerative, and are slow to metastasize.
● Multicentric squamous cell carcinoma in situ (p 1089)
Occurs in older cats (> 10 years). Multifocal lesions occur over the head, neck, shoulders and fore-
limbs on pigmented, thickly haired skin. Begin as hyperkeratotic macules and evolve to thick-
crusted, ulcerated plagues. Progress slowly, with waxing and waning signs.

● Melanoma (p 1097)
Occurs in older cats (average age 10 years) as solitary lesions on the head or neck. Size and shape are
variable ranging from a dome, to a plague or polypoid shape, and ulceration is frequent.
● Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) (p 1097)
Frequently pigmented and/or cystic tumors of the head, neck, thorax, nasal planum and eyelids of
older cats. Usually solitary and frequently ulcerated.
● Mast cell tumor* (p 1092)
Occur as single to multiple tumors on the head of older cats. Tumors may “enlarge” and become
erythematous after palpation or aspiration. Rarely young Siamese cats have multiple nodules
around the head.
● Cutaneous lymphoma (p 1097)
Very rare tumors in cats. Signs of T cell tumors (mycosis fungoides) include “non-inflammatory”
alopecia, scaling, erythroderma (diffuse reddening of the skin), hypopigmentation of hair or skin,
ulceration, plagues and nodules. B cell neoplasia produces dermal nodules with or without ulcera-
tion. Systemic signs of weight loss, diarrhea and respiratory distress may be present.

NUTRITIONAL

● Pansteatitis/vitamin E deficiency (p 1104)
Cats eating diets high in oils, especially fish oils may develop fever, lethargy, painful skin, general-
ized firm feel to the subcutaneous fat, and skin sinuses with gelatinous exudate.