Pemphigus foliaceus: Ever have a cat diagnosed with Pemphigus Foliaceus?
Question:
My cat may have this condition (disease?) Any info would be appreciated. (see "My cat’s ear is rotting away" post above). TIA.
Response:
> My cat may have this condition (disease?) > Any info would be appreciated. (see "My cat’s ear is rotting away" > post above).
PF is a nasty autoimmune disease of the upper layers of the skin. Thankfully, it isn’t pemphigus vulgaris which is much more severe and goes much deeper into the skin. I don’t have very much experience with Pemphigus Foliaceus. Thankfully, we’ve only a few cases in cats (a few more in dogs). Hopefully, your cat will respond to prednisone, however, more than half of the cats with PF require other immunomodulating drugs in addition to prednisone (chlorambucil) which usually work synergistically with prednisone and may reduce the dose and side effects of the prednisone. Do not allow the use of azathioprine in your cat. It used in dogs but can cause severe bone marrow suppression and hepatotoxicity in cats. Aurothioglucose (gold salts) (Solganal) is also used in cats to treat PF but this drug can cause kidney damage. Cyclosporine, which is used in organ transplantation has been used experimentally with some success. However, my best advice would be to consult a specialist (Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Dermatology) or the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) at (800) a referral to a specialist in your area. This may not sound very pleasant, but its better for your cat to have a few lesions and be on low-dose alternate-day prednisone than for her to have normal skin on high doses of daily steroids. The object is not trying to "cure" the disease with mega doses of steriods and immunosupressive drugs but to keep the condition in satisfactory remission on a "safe" dose of drugs. For a little more information, please visit my site: http://maxshouse.com/Diseases_of_the_Skin/pemphigus_foliaceus.htm Sorry I can’t be more helpful – PF is a nasty and difficult disease. Best of luck. Phil. — "With the qualities of cleanliness, discretion, affection, patience, dignity, and courage that cats have, how many of us, I ask you, would be capable of being cats?’ –Fernand Mery Feline Healthcare & More: http://maxshouse.com
Response:
>> My cat may have this condition (disease?) > Any info would be appreciated. (see "My cat’s ear is rotting away" > post above). >PF is a nasty autoimmune disease of the upper layers of the skin.
[ . . . ] I second everything that Phil has said, with the caveat that whatever you do, do it FAST. My Lucy was diagnosed about eighteen months ago, and it’s been hell. The average vet may see one case of PF in their entire career, so it’s a little difficult to be sure at first. That’s why it is neccessary that you or your vet consult an animal dermatologist. The only *certain* diagnosis is with a biopsy, and that takes time. By the time the results were in Lucy had lost almost three pounds and had stopped eating completely. I force-fed her for almost two weeks until she started nibbling away at her food on her own. The hope is that Prednisone (or Prednisolone) or some other steroid will force the PF into remission and that it will stay there. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case for Lucy. I was hesitant about using the steroid-plus-chemotherapy treatment because of its potential danger to kidney function and/or bone marrow. *Do not hesitate.* If the steroid alone is not working or does not have the permanent result that is desired, *immediately* start the combined therapy. It’s the only way to be sure. If remission is not complete and long-lasting, get used to the idea that your pet may have to take drugs every day for the rest of her (his?) life. Poor Lucy went into remission and relapsed twice before I smartened up and kept her in a lowered (maintenance) dose of the Prednisolone+Leukeran. Both times she stopped eating and had to be force-fed for anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks. The steroid is hard on your cat’s digestion – it causes upset tummys and vomiting. Think about switching to a hypo-allergenic or super-digestable food. Another danger that your vet may already have told you about is that the steroid can make your pet diabetic. Diabetes is fairly easy to manage in cats, but it must be handled carefully, always remembering that cats can (and do) become not-diabetic without warning or apparent reason. Lucy has had a rough ride – her insulin dosage went from four units/day to zero, then to two, then zero again. Now she’s at one unit/day and fairly happy. This is another thing to take into account when choosing a food – high-fibre diets are good for the diabetes, but bad for the weight loss. It’s a juggling act. Something else to consider is that the steroid and chemo both suppress the immune system. That’s how they reduce the PF. It also makes you pet vulnerable to infections. Right now, Lucy is fighting off a case of some sort of inflammatory bowel disease, probably Colitis. She’s getting better very slowly, but her weight is still down too far. Oh, and forget vaccinations – as long as her immune system is compromised with the drugs, vaccinations could be a serious matter. For a strictly indoor cat, this is less of a concern, but it’s something to take into account. What with one thing and another, I’ve spent close to five thousand dollars on medications and vet bills in the past year and a half. Lucy’s case is particularly severe, and has had a lot of nasty complications, but PF can be an expensive proposition. Phil was a godsend – because PF is so rare, I used to print out his replys and take them to my vet. She appreciated the input and it confirmed everything the medical texts said. She is a dedicated and hard-working vet, for which I feel very lucky, but there is very little hard information out there. Feel free to e-mail me with specific questions. Good luck and best wishes, Greg. — ’What a world of gammon and spinach it is, though, ain’t it?’ - Mr. Dick
Response:
My cat may have this condition (disease?) Any info would be appreciated. (see "My cat’s ear is rotting away" post above). TIA.
Response:
> My cat may have this condition (disease?) > Any info would be appreciated. (see "My cat’s ear is rotting away" > post above).
PF is a nasty autoimmune disease of the upper layers of the skin. Thankfully, it isn’t pemphigus vulgaris which is much more severe and goes much deeper into the skin. I don’t have very much experience with Pemphigus Foliaceus. Thankfully, we’ve only a few cases in cats (a few more in dogs). Hopefully, your cat will respond to prednisone, however, more than half of the cats with PF require other immunomodulating drugs in addition to prednisone (chlorambucil) which usually work synergistically with prednisone and may reduce the dose and side effects of the prednisone. Do not allow the use of azathioprine in your cat. It used in dogs but can cause severe bone marrow suppression and hepatotoxicity in cats. Aurothioglucose (gold salts) (Solganal) is also used in cats to treat PF but this drug can cause kidney damage. Cyclosporine, which is used in organ transplantation has been used experimentally with some success. However, my best advice would be to consult a specialist (Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Dermatology) or the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) at (800) a referral to a specialist in your area. This may not sound very pleasant, but its better for your cat to have a few lesions and be on low-dose alternate-day prednisone than for her to have normal skin on high doses of daily steroids. The object is not trying to "cure" the disease with mega doses of steriods and immunosupressive drugs but to keep the condition in satisfactory remission on a "safe" dose of drugs. For a little more information, please visit my site: http://maxshouse.com/Diseases_of_the_Skin/pemphigus_foliaceus.htm Sorry I can’t be more helpful – PF is a nasty and difficult disease. Best of luck. Phil. — "With the qualities of cleanliness, discretion, affection, patience, dignity, and courage that cats have, how many of us, I ask you, would be capable of being cats?’ –Fernand Mery Feline Healthcare & More: http://maxshouse.com
Response:
>> My cat may have this condition (disease?) > Any info would be appreciated. (see "My cat’s ear is rotting away" > post above). >PF is a nasty autoimmune disease of the upper layers of the skin.
[ . . . ] I second everything that Phil has said, with the caveat that whatever you do, do it FAST. My Lucy was diagnosed about eighteen months ago, and it’s been hell. The average vet may see one case of PF in their entire career, so it’s a little difficult to be sure at first. That’s why it is neccessary that you or your vet consult an animal dermatologist. The only *certain* diagnosis is with a biopsy, and that takes time. By the time the results were in Lucy had lost almost three pounds and had stopped eating completely. I force-fed her for almost two weeks until she started nibbling away at her food on her own. The hope is that Prednisone (or Prednisolone) or some other steroid will force the PF into remission and that it will stay there. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case for Lucy. I was hesitant about using the steroid-plus-chemotherapy treatment because of its potential danger to kidney function and/or bone marrow. *Do not hesitate.* If the steroid alone is not working or does not have the permanent result that is desired, *immediately* start the combined therapy. It’s the only way to be sure. If remission is not complete and long-lasting, get used to the idea that your pet may have to take drugs every day for the rest of her (his?) life. Poor Lucy went into remission and relapsed twice before I smartened up and kept her in a lowered (maintenance) dose of the Prednisolone+Leukeran. Both times she stopped eating and had to be force-fed for anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks. The steroid is hard on your cat’s digestion – it causes upset tummys and vomiting. Think about switching to a hypo-allergenic or super-digestable food. Another danger that your vet may already have told you about is that the steroid can make your pet diabetic. Diabetes is fairly easy to manage in cats, but it must be handled carefully, always remembering that cats can (and do) become not-diabetic without warning or apparent reason. Lucy has had a rough ride – her insulin dosage went from four units/day to zero, then to two, then zero again. Now she’s at one unit/day and fairly happy. This is another thing to take into account when choosing a food – high-fibre diets are good for the diabetes, but bad for the weight loss. It’s a juggling act. Something else to consider is that the steroid and chemo both suppress the immune system. That’s how they reduce the PF. It also makes you pet vulnerable to infections. Right now, Lucy is fighting off a case of some sort of inflammatory bowel disease, probably Colitis. She’s getting better very slowly, but her weight is still down too far. Oh, and forget vaccinations – as long as her immune system is compromised with the drugs, vaccinations could be a serious matter. For a strictly indoor cat, this is less of a concern, but it’s something to take into account. What with one thing and another, I’ve spent close to five thousand dollars on medications and vet bills in the past year and a half. Lucy’s case is particularly severe, and has had a lot of nasty complications, but PF can be an expensive proposition. Phil was a godsend – because PF is so rare, I used to print out his replys and take them to my vet. She appreciated the input and it confirmed everything the medical texts said. She is a dedicated and hard-working vet, for which I feel very lucky, but there is very little hard information out there. Feel free to e-mail me with specific questions. Good luck and best wishes, Greg. — ’What a world of gammon and spinach it is, though, ain’t it?’ - Mr. Dick
Response:
My cat may have this condition (disease?) Any info would be appreciated. (see "My cat’s ear is rotting away" post above). TIA.
Response:
> My cat may have this condition (disease?) > Any info would be appreciated. (see "My cat’s ear is rotting away" > post above).
PF is a nasty autoimmune disease of the upper layers of the skin. Thankfully, it isn’t pemphigus vulgaris which is much more severe and goes much deeper into the skin. I don’t have very much experience with Pemphigus Foliaceus. Thankfully, we’ve only a few cases in cats (a few more in dogs). Hopefully, your cat will respond to prednisone, however, more than half of the cats with PF require other immunomodulating drugs in addition to prednisone (chlorambucil) which usually work synergistically with prednisone and may reduce the dose and side effects of the prednisone. Do not allow the use of azathioprine in your cat. It used in dogs but can cause severe bone marrow suppression and hepatotoxicity in cats. Aurothioglucose (gold salts) (Solganal) is also used in cats to treat PF but this drug can cause kidney damage. Cyclosporine, which is used in organ transplantation has been used experimentally with some success. However, my best advice would be to consult a specialist (Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Dermatology) or the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) at (800) a referral to a specialist in your area. This may not sound very pleasant, but its better for your cat to have a few lesions and be on low-dose alternate-day prednisone than for her to have normal skin on high doses of daily steroids. The object is not trying to "cure" the disease with mega doses of steriods and immunosupressive drugs but to keep the condition in satisfactory remission on a "safe" dose of drugs. For a little more information, please visit my site: http://maxshouse.com/Diseases_of_the_Skin/pemphigus_foliaceus.htm Sorry I can’t be more helpful – PF is a nasty and difficult disease. Best of luck. Phil. — "With the qualities of cleanliness, discretion, affection, patience, dignity, and courage that cats have, how many of us, I ask you, would be capable of being cats?’ –Fernand Mery Feline Healthcare & More: http://maxshouse.com
Response:
>> My cat may have this condition (disease?) > Any info would be appreciated. (see "My cat’s ear is rotting away" > post above). >PF is a nasty autoimmune disease of the upper layers of the skin.
[ . . . ] I second everything that Phil has said, with the caveat that whatever you do, do it FAST. My Lucy was diagnosed about eighteen months ago, and it’s been hell. The average vet may see one case of PF in their entire career, so it’s a little difficult to be sure at first. That’s why it is neccessary that you or your vet consult an animal dermatologist. The only *certain* diagnosis is with a biopsy, and that takes time. By the time the results were in Lucy had lost almost three pounds and had stopped eating completely. I force-fed her for almost two weeks until she started nibbling away at her food on her own. The hope is that Prednisone (or Prednisolone) or some other steroid will force the PF into remission and that it will stay there. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case for Lucy. I was hesitant about using the steroid-plus-chemotherapy treatment because of its potential danger to kidney function and/or bone marrow. *Do not hesitate.* If the steroid alone is not working or does not have the permanent result that is desired, *immediately* start the combined therapy. It’s the only way to be sure. If remission is not complete and long-lasting, get used to the idea that your pet may have to take drugs every day for the rest of her (his?) life. Poor Lucy went into remission and relapsed twice before I smartened up and kept her in a lowered (maintenance) dose of the Prednisolone+Leukeran. Both times she stopped eating and had to be force-fed for anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks. The steroid is hard on your cat’s digestion – it causes upset tummys and vomiting. Think about switching to a hypo-allergenic or super-digestable food. Another danger that your vet may already have told you about is that the steroid can make your pet diabetic. Diabetes is fairly easy to manage in cats, but it must be handled carefully, always remembering that cats can (and do) become not-diabetic without warning or apparent reason. Lucy has had a rough ride – her insulin dosage went from four units/day to zero, then to two, then zero again. Now she’s at one unit/day and fairly happy. This is another thing to take into account when choosing a food – high-fibre diets are good for the diabetes, but bad for the weight loss. It’s a juggling act. Something else to consider is that the steroid and chemo both suppress the immune system. That’s how they reduce the PF. It also makes you pet vulnerable to infections. Right now, Lucy is fighting off a case of some sort of inflammatory bowel disease, probably Colitis. She’s getting better very slowly, but her weight is still down too far. Oh, and forget vaccinations – as long as her immune system is compromised with the drugs, vaccinations could be a serious matter. For a strictly indoor cat, this is less of a concern, but it’s something to take into account. What with one thing and another, I’ve spent close to five thousand dollars on medications and vet bills in the past year and a half. Lucy’s case is particularly severe, and has had a lot of nasty complications, but PF can be an expensive proposition. Phil was a godsend – because PF is so rare, I used to print out his replys and take them to my vet. She appreciated the input and it confirmed everything the medical texts said. She is a dedicated and hard-working vet, for which I feel very lucky, but there is very little hard information out there. Feel free to e-mail me with specific questions. Good luck and best wishes, Greg. — ’What a world of gammon and spinach it is, though, ain’t it?’ - Mr. Dick
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