948. A stray cat with bad breath and oral ulcers - not necessarily a FIV cat - Eosinophilic Granuloma Complex - .

April 17, 2012

"Nothing much can be done," Vet 1 told the stray cat care-giver and her domestic worker some 3 months ago when she adopted a skinny malnourished cat with bad breadth and a leg wound and a very bad breath. "This stray cat has FIV. Give him clindamycin one capsule per day for 15 days." Vet 1 treated the cat's leg wound and neutered him.

The cat's bad breath returned after the end of the course of antibiotics.
So she gave clindamycin for 15 days for another 15 days by sprinkling the powder from the capsule into the cat's food. The cat still ate but was not so active.

The cat looked plump and had a rectal temperature of 39.3 C. No runny nose. No bad breath or diarrhoea. Just not eating.

"Unlikely to be FIV as this cat looked so plump at 5 kg and has no upper respiratory tract infections or drooling of saliva," I gave the owner the option as to whether to test for FIV or not since she was fostering at least 5 stray cats. "Of the two, a blood test is more useful." Vet 1 assumed this stray cat has FIV but did not do the test to save the owner costs.

FIV/FeLV TESTS - Negative

MOUTH EXAMINATION
It is important that the owner actually see the inside of the mouth. I asked my assistant to shine a white torchlight into the mouth as I pried open the mouth. The cat was quiet but there was pain and objected to it. I opened the sides of the mouth - gum ulcers, tongue ulcers and two large ulcers at the back of the mouth, beside the tongue on both sides.

DIGITAL IMAGES
Best to take pictures to document the oral ulcers at presentation. I took several pictures on April 17. Today, April 19, I took some images. The cat was eating and was less hostile now.

BLOOD COLLECTION
The cat was quite fed up since I had pried opened his mouth a few times. Dr Daniel collected blood from his veins but there was insufficient. The cat started clawing in self-defence.
"It is not easy to collect sufficient amount of blood from an angry cat," I said. "I will tranquilise him and Dr Vanessa will collect the blood from the jugular vein after 10 minutes." 3 ml of blood was colllected by Dr Vanessa.

Blood Test Results - significant findings
1. Glucose elevated 11.0 (normal 3.9 - 6.0) - "stressed induced hyperglycaemia" in the cat.
2. Liver enzymes ALT & AST elevated.
3. Urea below normal.
4. Platelets low 146 (300-800). Large platelets present.

RBC and WBC are normal.
Differential count:
N 64% 8.69
L 24% 3.19
M 6% 0.77
E 6% 0.81
B 0.3% 0.04

Could the oral ulcers be due to eosinophilia? Need to review my past report at:

http://www.asiahomes.com/singaporepets/0747cat_tonsils_overwhelmed_Singapore.htm

An extract from the above webpage is as follows:

3. RODENT ULCERS IN CATS (feline eosinophilic granulomatosis). Salivation and ulcers are signs.

Eosinophilic Granuloma Complex -

Three distinct but related clinical syndromes comprise the granuloma complex:

3.1 Eosinophilic (or rodent) Ulcer. This may occur on the skin or in the mouth but usually affects the upper lips. The lesions are well-demarcated ulcers.

3.2 Eosinophilic Plaque. These are raised, moist, red eroded or ulcerated areas with a well demarcated border. Pruritus is usually severe. lesions usually occur on the underside of the cat (abdomen, brisket or inside the thighs.)

3.3 Linear Granulomata. These can occur at most sites, especially behind the hind legs and within the mouth. They are well-demarcated lesions which are raised and yellow to
yellowish-pink in colour. They are often thin, hence the name *linear* granuloma.

CONCLUSION
Could this be a case of Eosinophilic (or rodent) Ulcer? The mouth ulcers are well demarcated. The eosinophils are high. This could be a case of "rodent ulcer" and there is a treatment for it.