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Very SEVERE skin problem

Bigglesworth1

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Hey everyone,

I thought I would post my story with my cat Mr Bigglesworth, as I hope it may help others, or that someone can help me! My baby has always had perfect skin. Over the course of two weeks he has developed a very SEVERE skin issue and has been to the vet multiple time. It started out with a few sores on his body which would scab up and peel off. However over the course of two weeks he developed global lesions (red and black) with crusting, and a dark brown crusty rash down his neck, chest and face.
Over the course of two weeks I have searched high and low to find a story like mine. Nothing seemed to match. He has been on convenia (antibiotic injections), and malaseb baths. He cannot have steroids unless absolutely necessary due to hcm. I went to a dermatologist a couple of days ago and a skin biopsy has been performed. The dermatologist thinks either urticaria pigmentosa or autoimmune disease. Treatment at the moment has to be withheld till a definitive diagnosis, as the wrong treatment may set him back further (except for ABs). We hear the results tomorrow - a nervous wait!! I will upload some photos.
The photos will show you what he was like just before the problem started (2 weeks ago), then at the beginning, during and now. It's horrible to look at. I can't stand it! I am committed to fixing my baby boy though!!
 

Bigglesworth1

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Here is the progression. Btw the dermatologist thinks this issue is NOT behaving like an allergic reaction. We changed kitty litter, food etc anyway with no effect.
It is almost certainly autoimmune or urticaria pigmentosa. It breaks my heart.
 

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Bigglesworth1

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He has been on royal canin sensitive stomach for almost 2 years, and combined with raw diet. I had changed his food to Hills prescription Z/D after the problem started, however it still progressed. At consultation with dermatologist, he thinks this is very unlikely to be an allergy, and is best to return to his usual diet. I just uploaded another pic of his back where it is very crusty. Dermatologist said this is due to the lesions penetrating deep into the skin, which does not allow proper skin regeneration (hence the crusting). He is a very reputable specialist and I do trust his guidance completely =)
 

Catzzzmeow

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Thank you for pulling together this thread. Your information will no doubt help others in the future. I will be looking for your update on the results and keep positive thoughts going your way.

The orangey/darker area around the neck and face, did you by chance use coconut oil or recently bathe? I have seen this darker colored thicker scabs in this area around the chest, armpits, and face happen if they were not fully rinsed after a bath. It can happen the very next day and then peels off and clean skin is underneath. Not sure about all of the other scabs on the butt and spots etc. Just wondered if you recently bathed and could that darker orange area be from this?
 
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Toa and Ross

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@Bigglesworth1 sorry to hear your boy is dealing with this severe rash. Hope you'll know what it is soon so the right treatment can be started. My boy Toa has urticaria pigmentosa and with prednisone pills it' under control and he has his soft healthy skin back. Please keep us updated
 

Bigglesworth1

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Thank you for pulling together this thread. Your information will no doubt help others in the future. I will be looking for your update on the results and keep positive thoughts going your way.

The orangey/darker area around the neck and face, did you by chance use coconut oil or recently bathe? I have seen this darker colored thicker scabs in this area around the chest, armpits, and face happen if they were not fully rinsed after a bath. It can happen the very next day and then peels off and clean skin is underneath. Not sure about all of the other scabs on the butt and spots etc. Just wondered if you recently bathed and could that darker orange area be from this?

I have not bathed him in 4 days and the crust is getting worse. The vet thinks it is a different presentation of the same disease on his back. I have only used malaseb, no coconut oil.
I will certainly keep you guys updated! I will hear definitive diagnosis in the morning
 

Catzzzmeow

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Just for the heck of it, take a wet paper towel and lightly rub that thick big scab on the neck/soak again the piece of wet towel. Does orange/brownish rub off on the towel? If so, rub a bit more. It sometimes peels right off if it is residual from bathing and not rinsing fully. There should be no bleeding underneath it if it is from the bath. Again not a vet, but that whole color on the upper area we have seen often, the rest of the spots and irritated areas no. If any sign of bleeding don’t even try. @Bigglesworth1
 

littlelew

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@Bigglesworth1 Thank you for posting this and keeping it updated! I am currently experiencing something similar with my girl and every scrap of information helps piece together the puzzle. My vet originally diagnosed staph infection, but tomorrow will be one week of administering antibiotics and so far I have not seen any improvement. Her bumps look a little different to Mr Biggleworth's though, so I don't think it's the same thing.
Did Mr Bigglesworth need to go under anaesthetic to have his biopsy done?
 

Bigglesworth1

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Thank you guys for taking an interest in my biggles! Its been a rough couple of days, sorry for delayed update. He was very lethargic and not eating this morning and he is now at the specialist vets getting more tests. For him not to eat means he feels TERRIBLE. The pathology result for the skin lesions are not in yet. Monday at the latest we will get results. He has a fever which is why he is so flat, however they are still trying to figure out why he has the fever. It could be autimmune disease (such as lupus), or something like a secondary bacterial infection to his underlykng skin problem. It could also be unrelated but that would be extremely unlucky. His bloods came back, he has elevated neutrophils indicative of inflammation but his liver and kidney function is perfect. I will get another update from the vet soon as they are doing a couple more tests.
Unfortunately until he gets the pathology results, treatment is limited. They are also reluctant to give him fluids due to his hcm ( his cardiologist is not in today and will be doing another echo on monday).
My heart breaks for him. Hes only 2! Its so unfair...
 

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Yoda mom

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@Bigglesworth1 , please kmow your adorable Mr Biggles has all our thoughts and prayers
He is young and a fighter .. Be strong ..
Good news that his kidneys and liver function is perfect

Do ou know if the vet thinks it would be good will foe him to have nutrical supplement while he is at the vet I would ask- when my boy was severely ill he refused all food but would lick the nutrical off my finger ..
Hopefully his fever breaks - are they giving him doxcycline - any antibiotics ?
Instead of sub Q fluids will he drink unflavored clear pedialyte for hydration?
The doxcycline worked wonders for my crew so just wamted to Brian storm and share if your vet thinks it would be helpful for sweet Mr Biggles

Sending you the biggest hug amd positve healing vibes for Mr Biggles
Lair prayers your way you get answers amd a treat,went plan that will help

Hope his fever breaks soon
Please plesse keep us updated
 
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Cinafina

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@Bigglesworth1 I so hope you will find out what it is when the results come back - poor Biggles, he must be in a lot of discomfort and I hope the fever breaks in the meantime at least! I admit I have no personal experience of this condition (and I so hope I never will!) but I was doing some research online to see if I could find out some more info, and I have to agree with @Yoda mom, it certainly sounds like and looks like Urticaria pigmentosa.

I have read that prednisol is often prescribed, like @Toa and Ross says it worked for her Toa, but I found this article online which mentions a drug that I haven't seen mentioned on here, called Cyclosporin; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-3164.2004.00414_69.x

I understand what a stressful time this must be for you and Mr Biggles, but please keep us updated when you can! Lots of hugs and positive vibes!
 

Bigglesworth1

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Thank you guys. He is back home now. Is eating again and fever has settled, but still not himself. I was assured the test results would be in tomorrow. It cant come soon enough!! Its crazy how his beautiful skin 2 weeks ago can turn to this. Look how beautiful his skim was in the second photo! This was just over two weeks ago...
 

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Yoda mom

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@Bigglesworth1 , thinking of you and mr Biggles daily
Sending a lair full of positve vibes

Please let us know his test results
(((((Hugs n head smooches )))))

Ps
I saw this encouraging
Treatment:

In general, the condition is successfully controlled with prednisolone (glucocorticoïds) at anti-inflammatory doses, essentials fatty acids oral administration and sometimes with anti-histaminics. The evolution is chronic with ups and downs (some allergies could trigger "attacks"). The condition relapses when the treatments are discontinued but prognosis remains good.
 

Bigglesworth1

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Hey guys. Im sorry its taken so long to get back to you all. Its been a very tough few days and the news I have is not very good...
His biopsy results showed mild immune mediated disease, however his repeat cardiac echo has shown a significant progression in hcm. This means that he cannot have any steroids, and that now his skin is the least of his worries. Fortunately his skin is improving, and the dermatologist wants to put him on a combo of doxycycline and some sort of vitamin which should work well for his skin and not be detrimental to his heart.
As for his hcm, he is now borderline heart failure. For a cat who is only 2, this is so devastating. I feel so helpless. Its basically a watch and wait situation. We have had the hcm diagnosis for 18 months now and it doesn't get any easier to live with...
 

Catzzzmeow

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Oh man, not the news you wanted to hear. Glad your vet is trying to come up with the safest treatment for your baby. Your baby knows nothing but your love...lucky boy.
 

NinaGato

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I am sorry to hear about the results.
I have a girl sphynx who has a cardiac condition and very bad skin. We also cannot use steroids.
I switched to using Iv San Bernard black passion line of skin care. Just something you might want to look into.
 
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