Cutaneous paraneoplastic syndrome in a cat with thymoma

Feline cutaneous paraneoplastic syndrome is a rare disorder associated mainly with pancreatic carcinoma and thymoma. In this report the authors describe the case of a 12-year-old cat with paraneoplastic exfoliative dermatitis associated with thymoma. Lateral radiographic examination of the chest showed a small subtle soft tissue density in the ventral part of the first and second intercostal space, which together with skin changes suggested thymoma. Because of pain associated with the skin condition, costs of treatment and the risk associated with surgical treatment, the owner chose euthanasia of the cat. Post-mortem examination revealed a tumour which was diagnosed as thymoma by histopathological examination.