An idiopathic facial dermatitis of Persian cats

The clinical and histopathological features of 13 Persian cats which presented with chronic skin disease primarily affecting the face are described. Lesions were characterized by black material adherent to the skin and hair, accompanied by erythema and variable degrees of excoriation. Concurrent ceruminous otitis externa was observed in 7 cases. Histopathological examination of skin biopsy specimens showed marked acanthosis with crusting, hydropic degeneration and dyskeratotic basal epithelial cells, a mixed diffuse superficial inflammatory infiltrate and sebaceous hyperplasia. Malassezia pachydermatis yeasts and various bacteria were isolated from the lesions in some of the cats but in no case was antimicrobial therapy curative. The response to glucocorticoids was variable and often poor. No satisfactory therapeutic regimen could be identified and the cause of the disorder is unknown although a genetic basis is possible.