Dear Tracie,
I have an indoor male cat named Hammer and since he was a kitty, he has developed sores on his face and chin, which a vet told me was something called “rodent ulcers”. She said it can come from feeding from plastic, but I’ve always feed him in ceramic dishes. They would put him on prednisone and/or give him a shot and they’d go away, only to come back a few months later. For about a year or so, he didn’t get any and I thought he finally outgrew them. But lately, they’ve come back and now he has a huge lump on his chin. Do you have any advice on how to treat and get rid of these rodent ulcers all together??
Thanks for your help!
Kelly
I turned Kelly’s question over to the new Official dermatologist of Cat Chat® (Dr. John Gordon of the Medvet Specialty hospital in Columbus, Ohio) and this is what he came back with:
The lesions described on the lip of your cat are consistent with a unique inflammatory condition called eosinophilic granuloma complex (EGC). There are several forms of EGC including a swollen chin; raised, red plaque lesions on the abdomen; raised, linear white-yellow lesions on the back of the rear limbs; ulcerative lips; and swollen food pads. EGC lesions develop in cats in association with an allergy. The allergy can be due to fleas, food or environmental allergens. The most common environmental allergens are pollens, molds, house dust mites, human and dog danders. All of these causes will create any of the lesions described above. The erosive and ulcerative lesions usually develop on the front of the upper lip (as described in your cat and shown in the photo). The lesions may look painful but are not as evidenced by cats not being sensitive to the touch of the lesions and they do not lose their appetite. Surprisingly, the lesions will resolve completely if the primary allergy is identified and managed. Most cats with any of the above allergy conditions will respond well with a corticosteroid injection. Depending on the type and dose of corticosteroid, the lesion may resolve for a few weeks to months. Because of the recurrence of the condition and the side effects of the corticosteroid injections, repeated injections should be avoided. Your veterinarian or veterinary dermatologist should be able to identify the underlying cause based on your cat’s physical examination, history, response with medications, diet trials and testing. Allergies and skin conditions can be frustrating, so please be patient. In the end, your cat will appreciate your dedication.
Dr. John Gordon
TracieHotchner.com Official Dermatologist
