Eosinophilic granulomas also called simply granular tumors, are uncommon types of cancer found in cats. In particular, eosinophilic granuloma involves the cat’s kidney. Treatment options for eosinophilic granuloma include one or more of these:
Cat flea bite hypersensitivity. Cats are very vulnerable to insect bites, more so than dogs. It is estimated that approximately 35% of cats in the United States have been diagnosed with an allergy to insects. The majority of these cases involve eosinophilic granuloma complexes. Commonly, treatment includes corticosteroid injections.
Any organ or system of the human body can develop eosinophilic granulomas. Any area of the body can develop them. However, the most commonplace for this disease to occur is the lungs. Breathing passages are easily damaged by the inhalation of particles. These particles are made up of small bacteria, yeast, and other microorganisms that can grow in airless environments. Any area that is warm and moist can be a hot spot for eosinophilic granulomas.
Treatment typically begins with an evaluation of the lungs. Infection is detected. If the diagnosis is confirmed, a treatment plan is recommended. Treatment often includes antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medication, corticosteroids, and/or cytostatics.
Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell found in the upper respiratory system of cats and dogs. They are not uncommon in the lung tissues and the cat’s pleura. If a bulldog develops eosinophilic granuloma, it is most likely because of exposure to excessive amounts of air pollution.
This is a common feline dermatological reaction pattern that includes eosinophilic plaques and indolent ulcers. Indolent ulcers appear as flat, shallow ulcers. Their color is usually light gray or brown. On the other hand, eosinophilic granuloma complexes may also develop in the lining of the upper respiratory tract. These are considered chronic and life-threatening conditions.
This is a common feline dermatological reaction pattern that includes eosinophilic plaques and indolent ulcers. Indolent ulcers appear as flat, shallow ulcers. Their color is usually light gray or brown. On the other hand, eosinophilic granuloma complexes may also develop in the lining of the upper respiratory tract.
Cats are prone to suffer from eosinophilic granuloma complexes because of their warm, wet environment. Such cats should be kept in high-quality cat bedding and food. Cats with such plaques and indolent ulcers should undergo preventive maintenance. On the other hand, cats with chronic egg sores may require cat surgery or other clinical interventions in order to control and eventually treat the disease.
The common feline dermatological reaction pattern that features eosinophilic plaques can also include hyaluronic acid accumulation, hyperchromatic nephritis, and hyperplasia (glandular development). In some cases, the affected cats may display signs of diabetes, kidney disease, and liver disease. Hyaluronic acid accumulation is a condition known as koilonychia. It is characterized by the accumulation of feline hyaluronic acid in the soft tissue of the body. In cats, excessive accumulation can cause thickening and inflammation of the kidney (renal tubule), the lungs, the skin, the eye, and the heart.
Hyperplasia can be caused by a variety of disorders or genetic diseases, including tumors, lumps, cysts, and infection. If a benign tumor is present, it can generate an eosinophilic granuloma. The typical clinical sign of an acute buccal lesion showed by cats is severe swelling and redness, often suggesting an inflammatory process (inflammatory papules and plaques) in the affected area. Cats treated with systemic corticosteroids often respond to these medicines. Some cats treated with prednisone will have remission followed by relapse within a few weeks.
Cats with eosinophilic granuloma may show clinical improvement for several months following initial diagnosis. However, over time, some tumors can grow large enough to interfere with breathing. If the tumor grows to a point that obstruction of breathing occurs, the cat may not be able to breathe on its own and must rely on human help. In such a case, the cat will need ventilation, and if oxygen is not supplied, the cat will not survive unless emergency surgery is performed.
The usual surgical treatment includes clipping the offending granuloma and using anesthesia. Surgical excision may be required, but the cat may recover from this operation without difficulty. If the cat has difficulty breathing after surgery, additional treatments may be required and include feeding the cat food that is formulated specifically for cats with nutritional deficiency. Care should also be taken to keep the cat’s incision clean, and the wound moist. As long as the cat’s condition improves over a period of time, surgery may be unnecessary.
If all else fails, your veterinarian may refer you to a neurologist for further testing and treatment. You could possibly be referred to an oncologist, too. Your vet is best suited to determine what type of treatment is best for your cat, given its peculiarities and the nature of its medical problem. The medical community takes cancer seriously, and cancer is a serious threat to any feline mammal. Eosinophilic granuloma in cats should not be treated lightly.