My cat's eosinophilic granuloma is back. Is it cancer? What should I do?

Oh goodness! Poor Gizmo! Often looking under the microscope at a quick smear of the fluid from the lesion can give your veterinarian a good idea if eosinophilic complex is possible. If the cells do not support that diagnosis then a biopsy may be recommended. Often these lesions also have a secondary infection so often I use antibiotics as well as steroids to resolve the lesions. Often a hypoallergenic diet may also be helpful. Best of luck and I hope he improves soon. Thank you for using Pet Coach.

Hi there, This appears very similar to something called a "rodent ulcer" or Eosinophilic Granuloma Complex, but it may be something different, like an infection or a growth. Eosinophilic granulomas are often thought to stem from an overreactive immune system or allergies to insects, a protein in their food, or their environment. Many cases resolve with a course of medication. Some cats need to have strict flea control or a prescription diet. Your vet can tell you more about Chibi's specific case after they do a physical exam. Just in case it is an Eosinophilic Granuloma, here is a link to learn more: https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/feline-eosinophilic-granuloma-complex-in-cats I hope this helps! Thanks for using PetCoach.

Hello. It is very difficult to diagnose a skin problem just by looking at it, & certainly harder by a picture. If this is similar to what your other cat has, then I might be suspicious of a mange mite called Demodex gatoi. I would first talk to your vet about treating both cats ( & any others in the house ) with Bravecto, just to rule this out ( it is also great for fleas). For EG, some cats will respond nicely to occasional steroid injections. You can also do a hypoallergenic diet trial to rule out a food allergy. Antihistamines sometimes will control symptoms, especially Certirizine ( your veterinarian can recommend a dose ), & some cats are being treated with a relatively new medication for allergies in dogs called Apoquel. So, once your veterinarian has confirmed what the skin lesions are, treatment can be started. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be a benign or malignant growth. That type of behavior of coming and going is typical of a mast cell tumor though of course that is not the only possibility. Another possibility is a recurring infection. There is no way of knowing what it is just based on its appearance. This is often differentiated by a test called a fine needle aspirate (FNA) which is a pain free, inexpensive and easy procedure which in most cases will help reach a diagnosis. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. I recommend that you have him evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good day!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! While it is hard to tell just in these pictures, I think cancer is less likely and something more benign like allergies and dermatitis is more likely. Ultimately, this requires further investigation to know for sure. This is possibly due to allergies. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing her allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. A secondary infection is likely and also needs to be addressed. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for environmental allergies which require blood and/or skin tests. Allergies can be very frustrating to deal with at first but so rewarding at the end when we are able to treat them effectively!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Zorro. An esinophilic granuloma needs to be diagnosed by a surgical biopsy. There is typically an underlying allergy such as to something in the cat's diet, environment or even fleas that trigger this reaction. The lesions can be aggressive and typically need extensive treatment. In some cases, diet modification is needed as well as anti-inflammatory or even immunosuppressive therapy. I recommend seeking a second opinion with another veterinarian to be sure you have an accurate diagnosis. Then Zorro can receive the best care. I hope this information helps!

There really is no way to know what the mass is without a surgical biopsy. I understand the hesitation going forward with surgery, but if it's growing you need to determine what it is, and biopsy is the best option to do so. This mass May just be inflammation or eosinophilia granuloma or it could be a cancerous mass. There are even cases of fungal disease causing nasal masses. If it is growing I would strongly recommend addressing it as soon as possible as surgery may become more difficult as it gets larger. Best of luck to Pol and I hope it is something easily treatable. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.