Feline Eosinophilic Granuloma Complex Symptoms and Treatments

The term eosinophilic granuloma complex (EGC) also known as lick granulomas, refers to a group of skin lesions that represent an allergic reaction in the cat's skin. These occur in three forms, and your cat may have any or all of them.

Indolent Ulcer. Erosions on the margin of the upper lip and sometimes on the tongue are red in color and glistening in appearance. They may be painful and may affect the cat's willingness to eat.

2nd type, Eosinophilic Plaque is an itchy skin condition that occurs in young to middle-aged cats. It is characterized by well-circumscribed, raised, red plaques with hair loss. These plaques are found on the abdomen and inside thighs. They are believed to be caused by an allergy. The diagnosis is made by biopsy of a plaque.

Eosinophilic or Linear Granuloma is the third form of EGC. These lesions occur on the back of the thighs, the face and the tongue and palate. The chin may become quite swollen, leading to a “pouty” appearance. Mouth lesions may lead to loss of appetite or drooling. Footpads may become swollen. The lesions on the back the thighs are usually mildly red, hairless, raised, firm and linear. They are not typically painful or pruritic. Lesions seen on the tongue or palate may have white on their surface if the lesions have eroded or ulcerated. Cats with these oral lesions may have difficulty swallowing since they can be painful. There may be a genetic propensity or hypersensitivity component.

Treament: The key to treating these conditions is for your veterinarian to identify the underlying cause and treat it accordingly. If the primary underlying condition is allergy, treatment will generally involve administration of injectable or oral corticosteroids and removal of the irritant (flea etc), or a hypoallergenic food trial. Systemic antibiotic therapy is also helpful. For lesions that no longer respond to corticosteroid therapy, other options include immune-modulating drugs, surgical excision, laser therapy, and radiation therapy. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to help in some cases.

If your cat is exhibiting any of these lesions please consult your veterinarian. Because many other skin conditions have similar clinical symptoms, allergy testing may be recommended. Skin biopsies will help your veterinarian rule out skin cancer. Prognosis is variable and depends on the underlying cause. Chlorpheniramine (ChlorTrimeton), 2-4 mg orally taken, twice a day, helps to relieve itching. If allergy is the primary cause and the allergy condition is managed well then prognosis is good to excellent. If the primary underlying condition or cause cannot be identified these cats typically require long-term treatment. Keep in mind that some of the previously mentioned treatments have side effects associated with long term use. The treatment goal is to control lesions, not to cure them.

Associated conditions: Feline leukemia, feline miliary dermatitis, food hypersensitivity and inhalant allergy.

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