Immune-mediated skin disease is uncommon in cats, but pemphigus foliaceus is the one most likely to be on an exam. These diseases mimic infections, allergy and each other, so the workup is as important as the drug: cytology first, infection excluded, biopsy to confirm, then immunosuppression.
Key facts
Immune mediated skin disease (phemphigus, discoid lupus, etc.) at a glance- Species and system: cat, integumentary.
- Pemphigus foliaceus (PF): superficial pustular autoimmune disease; crusts and erosions on the face, pinnae, feet and claw folds; the best-described feline immune-mediated skin disease.
- Cytology: acantholytic keratinocytes with non-degenerate neutrophils, usually no bacteria.
- Treatment: prednisolone, not prednisone; chlorambucil as the steroid-sparing drug; avoid azathioprine.
- Exfoliative dermatitis: large adherent scales; look for a thymoma.
- Not zoonotic.
What's inside
12 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Pemphigus foliaceus
- Deep pemphigus (pemphigus vulgaris)
- Lupus erythematosus
- Exfoliative dermatitis and thymoma
- Other immune-mediated skin diseases to recognise
- Differential diagnoses
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 3 tables, 3 self-test questions and 10 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
The full guide is part of every NAVLE plan, with diagnosis and treatment tables, figures, a quick review and self-test questions. Start a free trial to try the question bank, or log in if you are already a member.