Content
- What is lentigo in cats?
- What causes lentigo in cats
- Is lentigo in cats contagious?
- lentigo symptoms in cats
- Diagnosis of lentigo in cats
- Feline Lentigo Treatment
Feline lentigo is a skin disease that consists of the accumulation of melanocytes in the basal layer of the epidermis. Melanocytes are cells that contain a pigment called melanin, which is dark in color. Due to this accumulation, our cats have black spots in places such as the nose, eyelids, gums, lips or ears.
Although lentigo is a completely harmless, benign and asymptomatic process, it is always necessary to differentiate it from a malignant and aggressive tumoral process called melanoma. Diagnosis is made with biopsies and histopathological study. Lentigo is untreated, it is simply an aesthetic feature and does not cause problems for cats. Keep reading this PeritoAnimal article to know all the details of lentigo in cats - types, symptoms and treatment. So, you know what the black shell on the cat's nose can be. We'll also talk about your symptoms and diagnosis. Good reading.
What is lentigo in cats?
Lentigo (lentigo simplex) is an asymptomatic dermatological process characterized by the formation of one or several black spots or macules or dark at the dermoepidermal junction of the skin. These lesions consist of an accumulation of melanocytes (melanocytic hyperplasia), cells that accumulate the pigment called melanin in the skin's basal layer, without elevation or thickening of the skin at these accumulation sites.
If you see a black cone on the cat's nose, the chances of being a lentigo are very high. This is because the most commonly affected areas are as follows:
- Nose.
- Gums.
- Eyelids.
- Ears.
- Lips.
It is a process totally benign that only represents an aesthetic issue for feline caretakers, however, your cat won't even notice it and will continue to be happy.
What causes lentigo in cats
If that little black cone on the cat's nose makes you worry, did you know that lentigo is a genetic disorder with autosomal recessive inheritance. Although it has been thought that a papillomavirus may be involved in canine lentigo and a biochemical relationship has been found between post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and the inflammatory reactions that can cause lentigo, these are really just hypotheses.
When it occurs among cats, lentigo is usually seen in red, orange or cream fur cats, although the exact pathogenesis has not been established, in addition to genetic inheritance.
With regard to age, it usually appears in younger or older cats.
Is lentigo in cats contagious?
No it's not a contagious disease, as it is not caused by any microorganism. It is a completely individualized process that appears or not according to the feline's heritage. So, if the black scab on the cat's nose is, in fact, lentigo, there's no need to worry about it.
lentigo symptoms in cats
When you ask yourself "why does my cat have black things in his mouth?" black spots on the chin or on the cat's nose, as well as in other places such as the ears or eyelids, don't worry, it's probably lentigo, especially if your cat is reddish or orange, to a greater or lesser extent. Black spots on the chin, if accompanied by sores, scabs and thick edges may be indicative of feline acne, not lentigo.
In feline lentigo, cats have black, brown or gray spots that can spread or grow over time. They are not itchy or malignant, as they do not proliferate in nearby tissues or inner layers, nor do they have the ability to metastasize to other locations in the feline's body.
These lesions, although they can appear at any time, usually start before the cat completes. one year old or at an old age.
Diagnosis of lentigo in cats
If you want to know if, in fact, the black cone on the cat's nose is lentigo, we emphasize that the diagnosis of lentigo in cats is simple, with the observation of small black spots on the nose, ears, eyelids, gums or lips. However, it must always be differentiated from other diseases that can be confused with this process, such as:
- Melanoma.
- Superficial pyoderma.
- Demodicosis.
- Feline acne.
The definitive diagnosis is based on the collection of biopsy samples and in sending to the laboratory for histopathological analysis. This analysis will show an abundance of cells with melanin pigment (melanocytes).
It should be taken into account that, if these lesions are modified in terms of extension, circumscription of the borders, thickening or appearance of spots in areas other than those indicated, the possibility of melanoma, a malignant process with a much worse prognosis, should be considered. Also in this case, histopathology will show the definitive diagnosis.
In this other article by PeritoAnimal we talk all about the types, symptoms and treatment of cancer in cats.
Feline Lentigo Treatment
the lentigo in cats no treatment, no need and it doesn't change the feline's quality of life at all. While in human medicine thermal abrasion has been used to eliminate these injuries, this is not done in feline veterinary medicine.
This is because any action against lentigo causes unnecessary stress and suffering for our kitten. He will continue to be beautiful, happy, healthy and with the same quality of life, whether with or without spots. So, if there is a black scab on the cat's nose, rule out any other possibility of problems and enjoy the company of your feline friend as much as you can.
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Lentigo in Cats - Types, Symptoms and Treatment, we recommend that you enter our Skin Problems section.