Bilateral eosinophilic granuloma in a Persian cat
(30.03.2006) A quite rare occurrence in the cat oral pathology is the eosinophilic granuloma complex, a pathologic entity that is three times more frequent in females than in males.
Fig.1
This makes even more rare this bilateral granuloma that appeared in an unusually young cat only 10 months old, not neutered male Persian cat named "Chicco.
The tumoral formation was situated approximately in the area between the fourth premolar and first molar tooth on the buccal side of both mandibles (Fig.1).
Fig. 2
The growth on the right side of the mandible was almost twice larger (about 8 x 5 mm) than the one on the opposite side (Fig.2) and more irritated, edematous and congested from the continuous mechanical injury caused by the upper fourth premolar that was biting into it, thus leading to often bleeding episodes from the oral cavity.
We decided to make an excisional biopsy, since the tumoral formation was well delimited and pediculated with a multilobular aspect.
The premedication was performed using a combination of medetomidine, ketamine and methadone, the induction was done using propofol intravenously and maintenance with isofluran.
The immediate post-operative analgesia was ensured using Buprenorphine.
After the cat was anesthetized we began by shooting several X-rays using the dental unit Explor-X and classical retroalveolar films for both areas of the mandible involved in the tumoral process (Fig.3) using the parallel technique and a value of 0,28 s exposure time.
After developing intra-operatively the X-ray films with our Periomat automatic developer we obtained normal images of both mandibles without any sign of bone involvement (Fig.4), thus reinforcing the decision to make an excisional biopsy.
The surgery was performed using a looped bit and an Ellman radiosurgical unit, the tumor was removed with minimal bleeding the pedicle was well defined and removal easily performed (Fig.5).
Fig. 5
The lack o profuse bleeding together with the normal radiological images of the alveolar bone, tooth and periodontium led us to believe we are dealing with a benign process. The pathology proved that we were right and that it was a granulation tissue and not a neoplasm.
The cat was released from our service the same day. A week later when we communicated the owner the diagnosis we found that the cat was doing well, no more oral bleeding episodes and regained the normal appetite and body weight.