Nonuraemic nonfatal idiopathic calciphylaxis in a kitten.
BACKGROUND
Calciphylaxis is a rare cutaneous disorder, characterized by vascular calcification and progressive skin necrosis, not yet described in cats. It is scarcely reported in animals, mostly due to iatrogenic or uraemic disturbances of the calcium-phosphate balance. In human patients, it is most commonly seen with end-stage renal disease, but several nonuraemic disorders, including inherited dysfunctions of tissue calcification inhibitors, have also been described.


OBJECTIVE
To describe a case of nonuraemic calciphylaxis in a cat.


METHODS
A 10-week-old male domestic short hair kitten was presented with hyperacute skin lesions. Initial dermatological signs were characterized by sharp demarcated erosions and ulcerations on the face, including the nasal planum and lips. Cutaneous lesions rapidly progressed into thick crusts with ulcerations, involving parts of the face and pinna as well as abdominal skin.


METHODS
Complete blood count, serum chemistry profile, urinalysis, parathyroid hormone measurement and histopathological examination of skin biopsies.


RESULTS
Histopathology from newly developed abdominal skin lesions revealed severe epidermal necrosis and calcification, multifocal pannicular calcification and calcified subcutaneous vessels, supporting a diagnosis of calciphylaxis. Treatment consisted of systemic and topical antimicrobials, analgesics, pentoxifylline, Lantharenol(®) , sodium thiosulfate and vitamin K. After initiation of therapy, no further progression was noticed; all medications could be discontinued eventually, and no relapse was seen in the following 2 years.


CONCLUSIONS
Calciphylaxis should be considered as a differential diagnosis for ulcerative cutaneous disorders in young cats. More information on this disease is needed to elucidate the pathomechanism.
Small Animal Clinic, Veterinary Faculty, Justus-Liebig-University, Frankfurter Straße 126, 35392, Giessen, Germany; Tierklinik Hofheim, Im Langgewann 9, 65719, Hofheim am Taunus, Germany.
Nina
N
Thom
Elif
E
Er
Manfred
M
Reinacher
D000818:Animals; D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002115:Calciphylaxis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D002415:Cats; D002614:Chelating Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007811:Lanthanum / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D013885:Thiosulfates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010837:Vitamin K 1 / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000933:Antifibrinolytic Agents; D002614:Chelating Agents; D013885:Thiosulfates; C119467:lanthanum carbonate; D007811:Lanthanum; D010837:Vitamin K 1; C017717:sodium thiosulfate