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Eosinophilic Ulcer In A Cat
Also called
Rodent Ulcer

Eosinophilic ulcer in a cat can be a frustrating problem to eliminate.  The lesion results from a localized invasion of a type of white blood cell called an EOSINOPHIL.  A type of white blood cell found in vertebrate blood, containing cytoplasmic granules that are easily stained by eosin or other acid dyes, eosinophils often are associated with and invade tissues that are being physically irritated or are undergoing an allergic reaction.  When large numbers of eosinophils locally invade the tissues they interfere with normal physiological processes and as a result scar tissue can form, microcirculation is impeded, and inflammatory cells migrate to the area in an attempt to heal the damage.  Tissue destruction results in death of cells and, in the case of "rodent ulcer" in a cat, there can be a disfiguring ulceration of the upper lip.  In severe cases the inside of the oral cavity and the lower lip may be involved.

Click on an image to see an enlarged view of a feline patient with a severe ulceration of the upper lip due to eosinophilic ulcer.  The images below show the improvement gained through the use of cortisone.

Eosinophilic ulcer in cats often will reoccur.  In many cases, low dose administration of cortisone or synthetic cortisone such as Dexamethasone can alleviate the severity of the ulcerative process.  Some patients need to be treated for a short period of time every three or four months to keep the ulceration from becoming a problem for the cat.  In all cases, a high quality diet with high levels of protein and good quality fats can put the patient at an advantage in keeping the ulcerative process from becoming clinically evident.

RODENT ULCER is actually a condition seen in humans where cancerous skin lesions occur.  Usually these are a facial ulcer not actually having anything to do with rodents. Rodent ulcer in humans is a locally invasive carcinoma of the basal layer of the epidermis. It almost never metastasizes but it may aggressively invade local tissues. Basil cell carcinoma is a form of skin cancer that occurs due to sun exposure.  Metastatic disease rarely occurs (does not spread to distant organs).  This type of cancer can cause disfigurement to the skin and nearby structures.  If left untreated for long periods, it has the potential to invade deep tissues.

The term "Rodent" ulcer in cats is actually not descriptive or relevant.  At one time it was thought these ulcers were due or infections contracted from rodents. Although their real cause is still unknown, some veterinarians believe they result from constant irritation from the cat's rough tongue. 

The images above are of the patient six weeks after an injection of a long acting cortico-steroid called DepoMedrol
	This image (click to enlarge) is of a cat that is experiencing what is termed Miliary Eczema.  The inflammed and ulcerated areas of the face, head and neck are being infiltrated with eosinophils.  The causes of Miliary Eczema are rather mysterious but seem associated with poor quality diets, stress, parasitic skin disorders and allergic reactions to a wide variety of antigens. A more serious and diffuse eosinophilic invasion of the skin is called  EOSINOPHILIC DERMATITIS

Early treatment of eosinophilic ulcer in cats will assist the patient in healing quickly with a minimum of tissue destruction and scarring.  The longer the condition persists the more damage is done to the tissues.  Some damage, as with eosinophilic ulcer, will be permanent.