Feline Pemphigus
Feline pemphigus foliaceus is an autoimmune disease that causes severe damage to the skin of the cat. The disease occurs when the cat's immune system identifies a component of its own skin as a dangerous invader, according to PetPlace.com. The immune system produces antibodies to attack and destroy this perceived threat, leading to a disintegration of integrity of the animal's skin.
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Cause
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Autoimmune diseases develop when the body's immune system recognizes something within itself as a threat and creates antibodies to eliminate the danger. In the case of pemphigus foliaceus, a glycoprotein within the skin, called desmoglein 1, is labeled as a foreign substance and destroyed. Without desmoglein 1, the cat's skin cells within the epidermis begin to detach from each other, leaving splits in the skin.
Symptoms
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When the immune system attacks the desmoglein 1 in the cat's skin, the skin separates, forming a cleft. This cleft forms a pustule by filling with fluid and white blood cells. Skin cells that have lost their desmoglein 1 detach from the epidermis and float to the middle of this pustule. The pustules are easily ruptured when the cat scratches, and they leave crusty lesions on the epidermis. The disease typically begins on the nose and ears, and it spreads to the feet and legs, according to PetPlace.com.
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Diagnosis
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Feline pemphigus diagnosis typically begins with a full physical examination and recording of the medical history of the cat. The location and progression of the first lesions will be noted, with the nose and footpads receiving special attention. Certain laboratory tests, such as skin scrapings and fungal cultures, might be conducted to rule out infections, according to PetPlace.com. A biopsy of the pustules will confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
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Autoimmune diseases require the suppression of the immune system to stop the production of antibodies. Drugs such as corticosteroids are prescribed to stop the release of antibodies, but they can increase thirst and irritability, according to PetPlace.com.
Similar Conditions
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Pustules are not limited to pemphigus foliaceus, and numerous other diseases feature the fluid-filled lesions as their major skin symptom, according to PetPlace.com.
Discoid lupus erythematosus involves skin lesions, but these are usually limited to the nose. Demodicosis is caused by an infestation of Demodex skin mites and typically begins on the head before spreading to the lower body. Pustules form due to secondary skin infections and do not affect the nose. The fungal disease ringworm can also mimic the appearance of a pustular disease.
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References
- Photo Credit cat image by nutech21 from Fotolia.com
