Feline lentigo is a skin disorder consisting of the accumulation of melanocytes on 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 present black spots on places such as the nose, eyelids, gums, lips or ears.
While lentigo is a completely harmless, benign and asymptomatic process, it must always be differentiated from a malignant and aggressive tumor process called melanoma. Diagnosis is made by taking biopsies and their histopathological study. There is no treatment, it is simply an aesthetic defect, but it does not cause any problem for cats. Keep reading this article on our site to learn more about lentigo in cats, its symptoms and diagnosis.
What is lentigo in cats?
Lentigo (lentigo simplex) is an asymptomatic dermatological process characterized by the formation of one or multiple black spots or macules or dark in color at the dermo-epidermal cutaneous junction. These lesions consist of an accumulation of melanocytes (melanocytic hyperplasia), the cells that accumulate the pigment called melanin in the basal layer of the skin, without elevation or thickening of the skin in said accumulation sites.
The most commonly affected areas are:
- Nose.
- Gums.
- Lids.
- Ears.
- Lips.
This is a completely benign process that is only an aesthetic problem for feline caregivers, however, your cat will not You won't even know you have it and you'll still be happy.
Causes of lentigo in cats
Lentigo is a genetic disorder with autosomal recessive inheritance. While 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 inflammatory reactions that can cause lentigo, in reality these are all hypotheses.
When it occurs in cats, it is usually seen in red, orange or cream coated cats, although the exact pathogenesis has not been established, beyond inheritance.
With regard to age, they tend to appear in younger or older cats.
Is lentigo in cats contagious?
No, it is not a contagious disease, since it is not caused by any microorganism. It is a totally individualized process that appears or not depending on the feline's inheritance.
Symptoms of lentigo in cats
When you ask yourself "why does my cat have black stuff in his mouth?" or you observe black spots on the cat's chin, as well as in other locations such as the ears or eyelids, don't worry, it's probably a lentigo. Especially if your cat is reddish or orange, of greater or lesser intensity. Black spots on the chin if accompanied by wounds, scabs and raised edges may be indicative of feline acne, not lentigo.
In feline lentigo, cats show blackish, brown or grayish maculesdark spots that can spread or grow over time. They are not pruritic or malignant as they do not proliferate in nearby tissues or internal layers, nor do they have the capacity to produce metastases to other parts of the feline's body.
These lesions, although they can appear at any time, often begin before one year of age or at older ages.
Diagnosis of lentigo in cats
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.
Definitive diagnosis is based on taking biopsy samples and sending them to the laboratory for histopathological analysis. This analysis will show abundant cells with melanin pigment (melanocytes).
It must be taken into account that if these lesions are modified in relation to their extension, circumscription of the edges, elevation or appearance of spots in an area other than those indicated, a melanoma should be considered, a malignant process with a much worse prognosis. In this case, histopathology will also show the definitive diagnosis.
Treatment of lentigo in cats
Lentigo in cats there is no treatment, it is not necessary, it does not alter the feline's quality of life in any way. While thermal abrasion has been used in human medicine to remove such lesions, it is not done in feline veterinary medicine.
This is because carrying out any action against it is totally a source of unnecessary stress and suffering for our kitten. He will continue to be beautiful, happy, he althy and with the same quality of life with spots or without them.
