Pemphigus in Cats

Pemphigus is a general designation for a group of autoimmune skin diseases involving ulceration and crusting of the skin, as well as the formation of fluid-filled sacs and cysts (vesicles), and pus filled lesions (pustules). Some types of pemphigus can also affect the skin tissue of the gums. An autoimmune disease is characterized by the presence of autoantibodies: antibodies that are produced by the system, but which act against the body's healthy cells and tissues – just as white blood cells act against infection. In effect, the body is attacking itself. The severity of the disease depends on how deeply the autoantibody deposits into the skin layers.

The hallmark sign of pemphigus is a condition called acantholysis, where the skin cells separate and break down because of tissue-bound antibody deposits in the space between cells. There are three types of pemphigus that affect cats: pemphigus foliaceus, pemphigus erythematosus, and pemphigus vulgaris.

In the disease pemphigus foliaceus, the autoantibodies are deposited in the outermost layers of the epidermis, and blisters form on otherwise healthy skin. Pemphigus erythematosus is fairly common, and is a lot like pemphigus foliaceus, but less afflictive. Pemphigus vulgaris, on the other hand, has deeper, and more severe ulcers, because the autoantibody is deposited deep in the skin.

Symptoms and Types

Foliaceus

• Scales, crust, pustules, shallow ulcers, redness, and itching of the skin
• Footpad overgrowth and cracking
• Occasional vesicles: fluid-filled sacs/cysts in the skin
• The head, ears, and footpads are the most commonly affected; this often becomes generalized over the body
• Gums and lips may be affected
• It is common for the nipples and nail beds to be affected in cats
• Swollen lymph nodes, generalized swelling, depression, fever, and lameness (if footpads are involved); however, patients are often in otherwise good health
• Variable pain and itchy skin
• Secondary bacterial infection is possible because of cracked or ulcerated skin

 Erythematosus

• Mainly the same as for pemphigus foliaceus
• Lesions are usually confined to the head, face, and footpads
• Loss of color in lips is more common than with other pemphigus forms

 Vulgaris

• The most serious of the pemphigus types
• More severe than pemphigus foliaceus and erythematosus
• Ulcers, both shallow and deep, blisters, crusted skin
• Affects gums, lips, and skin; may become generalized over the body
• Mouth ulcers are frequent, may result in loss of appetite
• The underarm and groin areas are often involved
• Itchy skin and pain
• Anorexia, depression, fever
• Secondary bacterial infections are common

Causes

• Autoantibodies: the body creates antibodies that react to healthy tissue and cells as though they are pathogenic (diseased)
• Excessive sun exposure
• Certain breeds appear to have a hereditary predisposition

Diagnosis

Your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical exam on your cat, including a blood chemical profile, a complete blood count, a urinalysis and an electrolyte panel. Patients with pemphigus will often have normal bloodwork results. You will need to give a thorough history of your cat's health, onset of symptoms, and possible incidents that might have precipitated this condition.

A skin exam is crucial. A skin tissue sample will be taken for examination (biopsy); and pustule and crust aspirates (fluid) will be wiped onto a slide to diagnose pemphigus. A positive diagnosis is achieved when acantholytic cells (i.e., separated cells) and neutrophils (white blood cells) are found. A bacterial culture of the skin may be used for identification and treatment of any secondary bacterial infections, and antibiotics will be prescribed in the event that there is a secondary infection present.