Small Animal Dermatology Q&A 05

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An 8-month-old kitten is presented for raised, firm, pencil-like lesions on the caudal aspects of both hind legs. The owner reports the lesions developed rapidly but do not seem bothersome to the kitten. Dermatological examination reveals hard, linear lesions in the superficial dermis. Skin biopsies reveal eosinophilic granulomatous inflammation and collagen degeneration.

Question	Answer		Article
What is the diagnosis and what are other clinical presentations of the same ‘syndrome’?	This is a classic presentation of feline eosinophilic granuloma. Other presentations include firm swellings on the chin (fat chin syndrome), swollen lower lips (pouting cat syndrome), oral lesions in the mouth, firm nodules in the skin, and nodules on the ear pinnae.		Link to Article
What are the treatment options?	Treatment is not always needed as lesions in cats less than 1 year of age usually spontaneously resolve. Methylprednisone acetate (20 mg/cat SC), every 2 weeks until the lesions resolve (4–6 weeks), is effective. Recurrent lesions suggest an underlying trigger such as FAD, food allergy, and/or atopy.		Link to Article
What components of eosinophil granules may be responsible for collagen degradation?	The pathogenesis of these lesions is unknown. However, tissue damage may be caused by eosinophil collagenase that degrades type I and II collagen and gelatinases that degrade type XVII collagen.		Link to Article