eosinophilic granuloma complex

[Rama Rose]

Our 14 yr old cat (Korat) has been suffering with eosinophilic granuloma complex (also cd rodent ulcer) since last Aug. Six - every 2 wk treatments of Depo Medro helped, but did not cure. He's also taking Baytril (an antibiotic), chlorpheniramina (antihistamine), Derm caps (essential fatty acids). Just retd to vet after 3 wks with new spots of trouble on his legs and face. Has anyone solved the problem?

Rama

[davet]

traci may have some update on these but i found that most of them responded with depomed or tablets,,,,finding the lowest dose to keep them supressed...you have to make sure the cat is free of internal and external parasite and any other condidition that will effect ehe immune system..i had one cat on about 5 mg pred oral pper week for several years with no problem..stopping occaisionally to see what the response was....had to repeat....but make sure the rest of the cat is healthy

[mizmeowski]

Hi I have a 12 yr old Russian Blue with Eosinophilic granuloma complex. She currently is completely in remission.

In her, the affected areas are the following: (at various times) lines of bumpy scaley rashes along the backs of her rear legs, and two lines along her belly (where the nipples are) running into her armpits, patches of fur missing. She also has pemphigus on her toes (rashy weepy crusty yucky brown gunky irritated skin around toes) which I don't know if it's related to the eosinophilic stuff. . .but they seem related and flare up at the same time.

The hot spots seemed to calm down after I give her a bath with medicated shampoo (Septiderm V, available at pet stores) or simply plain water washcloths for some reason. I have also noticed that the flare ups are stress related (the rashes got dramatically worse when we introduced a new cat into the household). We started on 5 mg prednisone as needed which turned out to be 1 - 2 x week. Like Dave I have also tried to eliminate the pred, but for a long time couldn't until I found the right combo of products.

Currently what works best with my kitty is the following: low allergen ZD diet dry food, regular dosing of Advantage flea drops, and Feliway plug in (the Feliway has reduced the cat stress in the household and was THE thing that completely eliminated the need for prednisone.)

Hope your kitty feels better soon!

[Traci]

You could attempt a temporary trial diet with a hypoallergenic type, one with a protein your kitty has never been exposed to. This may or may not help, but it is one of the first things that should be attempted when EGC is diagnosed, regardless of the type (indolent ulcer vs eosinophilic plaque)

Next, depo-medrol should be used with caution, as with all corticosteroids...the injections of course last longer but may carry side effects that last longer as well. I would ask your vet about prednisone tabs instead. Whether depo-medrol or pred, one must monitor bloodwork frequently to monitor for immunosuppression in which the meds will need to be tapered or ceased in the event of an emergency. (never cease meds on your own, pred can have devestating side effects/death if ceased abruptly, and without your vet's strict supervision)

As for antibiotics, sometimes antibiotics are the choice in treatment for long term therapy. One option might be amoxicillin rather than baytril, unless presently your vet feels the baytril is targeting a secondary infection.

Stress needs to be minimized at all costs. Kitties suffering from EGC will often have flare-ups due to stressful environments or changes in the environment. Also, excessive grooming can exacerbate the condition, so if your kitty is in this situation, ask your vet about testing for flea allergies or other skin problems that are not necessarily inflammatory in nature.

If current or past treatments have not produced releif and at least, longer lasting results, please discuss with your vet the things mentioned above, and be sure that the other two types of EGC have been ruled out (plaque and granuloma)

[funnyfelines]

I just posted about this, but, wanted to reply to this thread too, my Emma has this, she is a year and half and has had it one year.
I'd like to talk to the other 2 people who's cats have this. please pm me. thanks

[Tricia]

Our 4-year-old male was diagnosed with a "rodent ulcer" on his upper lip yesterday. It is quite small, and the vet is optimistic that it will disappear completely following shots. I have been reading up on eosinophilic granuloma complex, and one thing is not clear: Should this reappear, is it likely to reappear in the same form, i.e. in his mouth, or is it likely to reappear on his stomach, thighs, etc.?

[Traci]

Tricia, what you are describing is most likely indolent ulcers, which are usually generalized to the mouth/oral/lip areas. It probably will respond to the corticosteroid approach, it may or may not reoccur, but do try to keep stress minimized, as it is the number one cause to reoccurances.

Granuloma type can appear anywhere throughout the body; thigh area, abdomen, paws or pads, as well as on the lip, chin or orally, on the tongue. They have a "cobble-stone"-like appearance, are white or yellow in color and may be ulcerated.

Plaque type also occur in the thigh area, and may be generalized to the lower portion of the body. They are usually moist or "glistening" in appearance.

Indolent ulcers are raised ulcerations generalized to the upper lips.

All three types generally respond to corticosteroids (dexamethasone or prednisone/prednisolone). Granuloma and plaque types should also be differentiated from flea allergy, food allergy, insect allergy or atopy (skin infections/irritations). Sometimes, in reoccurances, if not severe, antibiotics may be a better approach rather than corticosteroids, but only if in a mild case.