Feline Eosinophilic Granuloma

Typical Signalment

More commonly found in young cats (2-6 years)
More common in females than males

Description

Feline eosinophilic granuloma complex includes three lesions:

Eosinophilic ulcer - on lip or oral mucosa of middle-aged cats.
Eosinophilic plaque - on the skin of the medial thighs and abdomen.
Eosinophilic granuloma - on the posterior aspect of the rear legs of young cats and also found on the tongue, palate and oral mucosa.

Eosinophilic granulomas of the oral cavity appear as yellow/pink raised linear lesions. They can occur on the oral mucosa, hard palate mucosa, soft palate, or the base of the tongue. Cats with eosinophilic lesions of the mouth often have concurrent skin lesions.

The cause of feline eosinophilic granuloma is unknown but it has been associated with food and insect bite allergies, atopy, immunosuppression, bacteral and viral infections.

Diagnosis

An ulcerated mass may be found at the base of the tongue or on the hard palate, the glossopalatine arches or anywhere else in the mouth.

Clinical Signs

dysphagia
halitosis
+/- anorexia

Laboratory tests

Peripheral blood eosinophilia may be present

Biopsy

A deep biopsy specimen of the mass is required for a definitive diagnosis
Histology reveals an eosinophilic tissue infiltrate

Treatment

Medical
- Control ectoparasites
- Diet trial and skin testing may be carried out to rule out food allergy and atopy
- Antibiotics if there is evidence of a bacterial infection
- Corticosteroid therapy if the patient is refractory to the above. Treatment should be tapered gradually once a response is seen then discontinued once signs have completely disappeared.
- Chlorambucil may be useful in resistent cases

Surgical
- Surgical excision is required for large lesions that interfere with breathing or swallowing.

Prognosis

Good but the lesion can recur.

References

Tutt, C., Deeprose, J. and Crossley, D. (2007) BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Dentistry (3rd Edition) BSAVA