Feline Pemphigus Foliaceus: A Retrospective Analysis of 57 Cases

This retrospective analysis of 57 cases of feline pemphigus foliaceus, identified from biopsy specimens submitted between 1991 and 2002, revealed that the age of onset ranged from less than 1 year to 17 years, with a median of 5 years. Eighty percent of the cats were pruritic, and lesions were commonly found on the face/head, paws, dorsum, or ventrum, presenting as crusts, erosions, scale, and alopecia. Histological examination of 208 biopsy specimens showed numerous acantholytic cells and a higher presence of mast cells than previously reported. Seventeen cases were on corticosteroids at biopsy time, affecting diagnostic accuracy. Follow-up of 44 cases for a median of 9 months indicated that triamcinolone was more effective in inducing remission without significant adverse effects compared to prednisone or prednisone with chlorambucil. Only 4 out of 44 cats died from the disease or its therapy during the study period.