Canine and Feline Eosinophilic Granuloma
📝 Summary
Eosinophilic granuloma is an inflammatory skin and lip lesion seen mainly in cats, starting as a small smooth depression on the upper lip and spreading into a thickened, ulcerated, red swelling. It is managed with anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating therapy rather than surgery.
1 Symptoms
The lesion appears mainly on the lips of dogs and cats and can occur at any adult age, though it is uncommon in very young cats and rare in dogs. It begins as a small, smooth depression in the middle of the upper lip.
Over time the lip becomes thickened and red, and the ulcerated surface spreads along the upper lip and into the surrounding tissue. Severe cases involve the whole lip, expose the gums, and cause drooling and difficulty eating.
The same kind of lesion can also appear on other body parts such as the limbs and the area around the genitals.
2 Causes and Transmission
The exact cause is unknown. Tissue samples show bacteria such as Staphylococcus and Streptococcus, but many experts view the condition as an allergic or autoimmune reaction rather than a simple infection.
In cats, the rough, very mobile tongue repeatedly rubbing the upper lip may be an important factor that triggers and worsens the lesion. It is not contagious.
3 Diagnosis
A veterinarian diagnoses the condition with a biopsy and microscopic examination of the tissue, which reveals the characteristic eosinophil-rich inflammatory pattern.
Because the appearance can overlap with infection or even a tumor, testing helps rule out those possibilities before treatment begins.
4 Treatment
Therapy centers on calming the inflammation. Corticosteroids and immune-modulating supplements such as vitamin E are commonly used, and a topical or oral antibiotic controls any secondary bacterial infection.
Antiseptic care of the ulcerated surface supports healing. If a lesion does not respond or looks atypical, a veterinarian rechecks it to be sure a tumor is not the real cause.
5 Prevention and Home Care
Managing underlying allergies and keeping the lip area clean may reduce flare-ups. Watch for non-healing sores on the lip and have them examined early.
Follow the prescribed anti-inflammatory course fully, and return for recheck if the lesion spreads or fails to improve, since persistent changes need to be re-evaluated.
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