A Report of Bullous Pemphigoid in a ۱۰-month-old Scottish Cat, for the First Time in Iran

Pemphigus and pemphigoid, both deriving their names from the Greek word for "blister," have been recognized for many years in both humans and animals like horses, dogs, cats, and goats. These conditions are believed to have an autoimmune basis and are exceptionally uncommon, yet their precise underlying mechanisms remain uncertain. A ۱۰-month-old unspayed Scottish cat weighing ۲.۸ kg presented at the clinic with symptoms including deep skin ulceration on the scalp, hair loss, and excessive itching leading to heightened anxiety. The cat exhibited normal appetite, food and water consumption, breathing rate, heart rate, capillary refill time (CRT), and body temperature. This cat was housed in a confined urban environment, and the owner confirmed that the cat had not undergone prior surgeries or experienced prior illnesses or allergies related to specific foods or medications since birth. Another kitten housed alongside this cat did not exhibit any skin lesions. The blood examination revealed a minor increase in neutrophil count, while the rest of the complete blood count (CBC) results were within the normal range. Approximately five months prior, the cat had received the Tetrakt vaccine. However, previous treatment attempts by a veterinarian over the last two months, involving antiparasitic tablets, terbinafine, ketoconazole shampoo, and avermectin, were unsuccessful in resolving the infection. The diagnosis is established by considering the patient's medical history, observing clinical signs, and conducting histopathological and immunopathological evaluations. Following a biopsy of the skin lesions and subsequent examination using a light microscope, the presence of dermatophytes and bullous pemphigoid was confirmed. In order to achieve effectiveness, therapy needs to be immunosuppressive, serving as a palliative rather than a curative measure. To achieve this, a treatment regimen was initiated, which included the administration of prednisolone at a dosage of ۲ mg/kg every ۱۲ hours for one week. Additionally, topical hydrocortisone ointment was applied twice a day, while vitamin E tablets were given at a dosage of ۱۰۰ units per day for up to one week. Omega ۳ tablets were also prescribed at a dosage of ۲۰۰ mg per day for one week. Finally, Ciplex drops were administered at a rate of one drop every six hours for a week. The combination of these treatments resulted in complete recovery for the animal, with visible regrowth of hair on the skin's surface.