eosinophilic Granuloma

Well, in doing some research, I think my 4 yr old cat has this condition. he had what started out as a scab by his eye and now he has a 2" strip of hair missing from his ear down his neck. It's dried up and healing now, but there's another scab on the other side now. Are there any things I can do for him aside from steroids?

Alrighty then...thanks anyway

Sometimes the folks who might be able to comment haven't been on the board for the day...don't think you are being ignored!

But since we can't see your kitty, you don't know for sure what it has, and only a very few on this board are vets or vet techs, my best advice would be to please take your cat to a vet you trust, and get a firm diagnosis and your vet's opinion on what the best options are for treatment.

Tia, sorry we haven't gotten to you sooner, but this site isn't really a chat site so the people in the know aren't always around. Bear with us and somebody will be along to help you out. In the meantime, if you can find a vet in your area, it would be a good idea to call them and they'll know if you should bring the kitty in right away.

We all have some experience but none of us are qualified to diagnose your cat over the internet since we cannot see the problem. If in doubt, please contact a vet.

I should have been more clear...We have an appt. tomorrow, I'm banking on this diagnosis and I know the *traditional* treatment is steroids which just masks the itching. Steroids can be damaging just to numb the sensories and am looking for options from others with experience. Once I get the actual diagnosis tomorrow, (I've worked for vets in the past) I will continue my search for testimonies of treatments OTHER than the vet recommended corticosteroids.
I didn't realize my post came off as a plea for diagnosis. It certainly wasn't my intent. Just some experienced folks to bounce ideas off of is all. I know I'm going to pay my Dr. at least $100.00 to tell me what I already know...but I won't be credible until I say "My cat was diagnosed by a vet". I haven't figured out how to post pictures yet, or I would.

There are some folks here who use a holistic approach to some things, so I'm hoping one of them will drop by and see your "plea" and respond.

I hope so to, just got back from the vet. Skin scraping revealed what I expected. Rather than steroids, we started him on antibiotics.

I just found your thread. You did well by getting your kitty to your vet.
Please keep us informed about how the current treatment is working.

Hi! If you're looking for a "natural remedy", I know a lot of people with EGC cats have had some success with Omega fatty acids. Jamie had a rodent ulcer a few years ago, and was treated with cortisone, but I've been using fish oil capsules since, on the advice of members of a German EGC forum. What you could try is one 500 mg. capsule (slit and squeezed over food) a day for about 6 weeks, and then cut back to one or two capsules a week for maintenance.

Thanks so much. I will definitely try that...I have salmon oil on hand that myself and my dogs take...I will add that to his diet. Do you know of anything topical?

what does eosinophlic mean

Originally Posted by Tia2

Thanks so much. I will definitely try that...I have salmon oil on hand that myself and my dogs take...I will add that to his diet. Do you know of anything topical?

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No, I don't, sorry. I'm not sure it would help, either.

Originally Posted by katzai

what does eosinophlic mean

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This site gives a clear explanation: http://www.marvistavet.com/html/eosi...granuloma.html

Hi Everyone- about 2 weeks ago my 2 year old cat, Nova, was diagnosed with eosinophilic granuloma. About every 3-6 months he gets these huge raw, red, ozzing patches on his neck. They look awful and extremely irritating. He will sit and scratch at them for hours. He has become very agressive and irritable as well during these intervals. I feel so bad for him and don't know what to do. My vet has suggested cortisone shots and antibiotics but I am not so excited about these options. Does anyone have any suggestions on other treatment options. This is so difficult to deal with and very upsetting for me and Nova.
Thanks.

If your kitty is that uncomfortable, I would just get the shot. He will probably thank you. I know if this doesn't clear up in a reasonable time for my guy...I'm going to get him in for the shot. It will heal up quick then. My cat doesn't seem too bothered by it, so that's why I'm going alternative, but if he was stressing or upset with it, I would definitely not hesitate to give him a round of steroids. Alternative treatments: only thing I've been doing is Antibiotics and a diluted tee tree oil....then on other days, a gentian violet boric/acid spritz...it seems to draw attention to the area though, and the licking can start all over again...it's a catch 22.
Hope this helps.

I would not use even diluted tea tree oil on my cat, especially not for any skin issues.

http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:T...and+cats&hl=en

OMG! I had no idea! Thanks for the info!

EGC is a sort of an auto immune disorder where the immune system is confused and acting out of control. Steroids suppress the immune system and work very well in these situations. At my clinic we prescribe them on a tapered shedule to avoid the long term effects of steroids. For ECG a long course is usually prescribed but not for the life of the cat.

Cyclosporin is another drug that is used to suppress the immune system and apparently it has fewer side effects. Perhaps your vet could look into that?

I know from personal experience how your cat feels (I have eczema) and if this were my cat I would really want to relieve her itching ASAP.

Thanks for the advice. I was doing some investigating and read that EGC can be aggrevated by a food or enviromental allergy. Does anyone know if this is true and if so what is the best way in determining what the cat is allergic too? I have changed Nova's food to an all natural allergy sensitive hard food and I am hoping that this produces a positive result. I also went to the vet to pick up Nova's antibiotics/prednisone and my vet recommended a sedative, ACE, to calm him down and relieve some of his stress. But I don't like the idea of sedating him on a daily basis until the lesions heal. Any suggestions?