Balding legs

Dr. Marie replied:

I'm going to ask you some questions about Freddie before I give you a full answer.

Did the vet give you a name for the immune disease they are thinking this is? Some examples are pemphigus or lupus.

What you are describing sounds like it's possibly an eosinophilic plaque. Does that name sound familiar? Another name for this is rodent ulcer.

Also, do you know what kind of mites he had before?

Thanks!
Dr. Marie.


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Dr. Marie replied:

OK, thanks for that information.

Even though "eosinophilic plaque" doesn't sound familiar, I am guessing that this is what Freeway Freddie (great name by the way) has. There are other names for it and it's possible that the vet didn't even put a name on it.

When you first mentioned an immune condition I got thinking about things like pemphigus. Pemphigus can cause some severe skin lesions. But, it doesn't go away on its own.

If this is an eosinophilic plaque, or something similar, we don't really know the cause. We think that it could be related to allergy. But in many cases we don't know what the cat is allergic to.

I generally treat these with a steroid injection (i.e. the depomedrol). If it looks really bad then I will use antibiotics as well (hence the Convenia).

Now, if I see a cat where they are simply losing some hair but there aren't any lesions then I will often do what your vet suggested and just wait and see what happens. Often these will go away on their own.

Do you know if your vet has tested for any mites recently? This would be by doing a skin scraping. Some cats with a mite called demodex will have bald spots on their legs. Until recently I thought that only cats in the Southern US could get demodex but I've recently learned that cats all throughout North America can get it. So I am testing for it more.

The other possible reason for balding on the back of the legs is overgrooming due to "anxiety". I say "anxiety" in quotes because often these cats are not outwardly anxious. If I have a patient that is really bothered by their skin condition or has a huge amount of balding then I will sometimes put them on an anti-anxiety medication such as amitriptyline or clomicalm.

Sometimes changing to a prescription hypoallergenic food can make a difference in cases like this.

As far as topical medicine goes, if he is just having some balding areas then there is not much that I would recommend. But, if he is having some sores then your vet may prescribe a steroid cream to use as necessary.

I hope that helps!

Dr. Marie.

Dr. Marie replied:

Yes, eosinophilic plaque and EGC are the same thing.

It sounds like your vet is doing all of the same things I would!

Dr. Marie replied:

Thanks for the bonus! You made my day! :)