How is feline plasma cell pododermatitis diagnosed and what treatment options are most effective?

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Feline plasma cell pododermatitis (PCP) is diagnosed by histopathology, with glucocorticoid therapy — specifically prednisolone — as the established treatment. 13 The clinical presentation is characteristic and should prompt biopsy. Affected cats develop swelling, ulceration, hemorrhage, scaling, erythema, and striation of one or multiple paw pads, with a distinctive purple to violaceous discoloration and white striations on the pad surface. 12 Regional lymphadenopathy — including popliteal and inguinal lymph nodes — is a recognized systemic finding. 1 The differential diagnosis must include botryomycosis, which can mimic PCP clinically and does not respond to systemic glucocorticoids. 4 Histopathological examination of a paw pad biopsy is required for definitive diagnosis. Clinical appearance alone is insufficient to exclude mimics such as botryomycosis and feline eosinophilic granuloma complex, neither of which is supported histologically in cases confirmed as PCP. 4 Retroviral testing for feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is indicated as part of the diagnostic workup, as retrovirus infection has been identified as a potential associated factor. 2 Treatment is glucocorticoid therapy with prednisolone. The veterinary literature identifies this as the prescribed treatment following histopathological confirmation. 13 Specific dosing protocols are not detailed in the available sources. Prognosis and follow-up compliance are clinically relevant concerns. PCP can be associated with severe systemic clinical signs that reduce quality of life and may lead owners to elect euthanasia. 3 --- Would you like to discuss how concurrent FeLV or FIV infection should influence your treatment approach in a retrovirus-positive PCP cat?