RESOLUTION OF EXFOLIATIVE DERMATITIS AND MALASSEZIA-PACHYDERMATIS OVERGROWTH IN A CAT AFTER SURGICAL THYMOMA RESECTION

A four-year-old, male neutered domestic shorthaired cat was presented with a two-week history of nasal and ocular discharge, generalised exf oliative dermatitis, intense pruritus, polydipsia, polyphagia, weight loss, intermittent hindlimb ataxia and lethargy. Cutaneous populations of Malassezia pachydermatis yeast organisms were found to be elevated , The generalised nature of the disease prompted survey radiography wh ich revealed the presence of a cranial mediastinal mass which was subs equently resected and found to be a thymoma. Within six months of surg ery systemic and cutaneous signs had resolved and yeast counts had ret urned to normal, suggesting a causal relationship between the thymoma and the skin disease.