Investigating the Association Between Feline Plasma Cell Pododermatitis and Glomerular Disease
Plasma cell pododermatitis is a condition in which the paw pads become swollen, discolored, cracked, and occasionally ulcerated, due to infiltration by plasma cells. As the paw pad lesions are commonly considered characteristic of FPP, and often considered localized skin disease, diagnostics for systemic health are uncommonly performed. A subset of young feline patients presenting clinically for evaluation of kidney disease have either historical or current evidence of FPP, several of which were confirmed to be immune complex mediated glomerulonephritis (ICGN) when comprehensive renal pathologic assessment was performed. ICGN is a serious and potentially life-threatening disease that requires immunosuppressive therapy. The purpose of this study is to further investigate the link between these two diseases, determine over a two-year period how frequently cats with pododermatitis develop kidney disease, and monitor response to therapy.
Client Compensation:
Your cat will participate in this study for a duration of 2 years, during which time they will be evaluated by a veterinarian and have blood and urine samples collected every 6 months (if they do not have evidence of kidney disease) or every 3 months (if they have evidence of kidney disease). If at any point during the 6 month rechecks your cat has new evidence of kidney disease, re-check appointments will move to every 3 months. These appointments may occur either at your regular veterinary office or a specialty veterinary practice. Your cat will receive complimentary lab work for two years as described and if applicable, the availability of medical consultation about management of kidney disease from a board-certified specialist in feline chronic kidney disease.
Potential Medical Benefits:
Standard of care therapies will be prescribed by the overseeing veterinarian; the study does not involve a therapeutic.
Potential Medical Risks:
N/A
What qualifies my pet for enrollment?
Inclusion Criteria:
Cats that have been diagnosed with FPP by any of the following methods: visual inspection and photographic documentation of the paw pads, fine needle aspirate of the paw pads demonstrating plasma cells on cytology, or paw pad biopsy confirming plasma cell pododermatitis (biopsy is not required for study participation).
Exclusion Criteria:
Prior documented history of acute kidney injury (toxins, urinary blockage)
Diagnosis/Condition Being Studied: Chronic Kidney Disease
Intervention to Be Studied: None; Observational Only
PRE-SCREENING QUESTIONAIRE
If you believe your pet may be eligible for this trial, please complete a pre-screening questionnaire.