An idiopathic facial dermatitis of Persian cats

The clinical and histopathological features of 13 Persian cats which presen ted with chronic skin disease primarily affecting the face are described. L esions were characterized by black material adherent to the skin and hair, accompanied by erythema and variable degrees of excoriation. Concurrent cer uminous otitis externa was observed in 7 cases. Histopathological examinati on of skin biopsy specimens showed marked acanthosis with crusting, hydropi c degeneration and dyskeratotic basal epithelial cells, a mixed diffuse sup erficial inflammatory infiltrate and sebaceous hyperplasia. Malassezia pach ydermatis yeasts and various bacteria were isolated from the lesions in som e of the cats but in no case was antimicrobial therapy curative. The respon se to glucocorticoids was variable and often poor. No satisfactory therapeu tic regimen could be identified and the cause of the disorder is unknown al though a genetic basis is possible.