Pet care: Cat gets treatment for arthritis, but develops skin lesions

Q: We have a fuzzy cat named Jimmy. He’s 12 years old and he started to hesitate before jumping onto the furniture. His veterinarian shot X-rays of his hips and showed us his arthritis. He got a new treatment called Solensia for his pain. Now, in the last few weeks, he’s had nasty, open, scabby areas on his neck and one on his face.

Dr. Nichol: Cats are famous for skin problems, but, hey, who isn’t? Those lesions on Jimmy’s head and neck are suspicious for eosinophilic granuloma complex, an itchy allergy symptom. They can also appear on the underside of a cat’s abdomen, their thighs, chin, lips and even their foot pads. These kitties do a lot of scratching. They look rough and they’re not happy.

Guesswork is not the path to health, especially with chronic conditions. Ask your veterinarian to examine a skin scraping under the microscope. Finding bacteria and a type of white blood cell called eosinophils would support a diagnosis of eosinophilic granuloma. The doctor can also check Jimmy for fleas — a common cause of allergies in cats. Food allergies and even mosquito reactions are also possibilities.

Besides eliminating the allergic triggers, Jimmy’s itching can improve with a short course of chewable Atopica or a corticosteroid like prednisolone. A long-acting antibiotic injection called Convenia may also be necessary.

Drugs save lives and alleviate suffering, but they all have possible side effects. Solensia is one of many new medications known as monoclonal antibody treatments. Given to arthritic kitties, Solensia blocks the transmission of pain signals through the spinal cord. Its adverse effects (seldom seen) can include vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy. Some cats have suffered itchy, erosive skin lesions on their faces and necks.

Before Jimmy gets started on any medication for his unhappy skin, he needs an accurate diagnosis. Besides, cats need to look good; the beaches of Cancun are calling your boy for his winter getaway. A referral to veterinary dermatologist Dr. Rebecca Mount of Dermatology for Animals in Albuquerque may be the most direct path.

For help with behavior problems, you can sign up for a Zoom group conference at drjeffnichol.com

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