All Cats Considered – Episode 314
In this episode of All Cats Considered, host Yaiza Gómez‑Mejías, LdaVet MANZCVS (Medicine of Cats), RCVS CertAP (Feline Medicine), is joined by Dr. Alexandra Guillén, DVM, DipECVIM-CA (Oncology), to discuss her recent JFMS Clinical Spotlight article, Cutaneous paraneoplastic syndromes in cats: a comparative clinical review. The conversation explores how dermatologic changes can serve as important indicators of underlying neoplasia and why recognizing these patterns early is critical for accurate diagnosis and improved outcomes in feline patients.
Dr. Guillén highlights key clinical red flags that should prompt suspicion of a paraneoplastic process, including atypical or rapidly progressive lesions, poor response to standard therapies, and the presence of systemic illness. The discussion focuses on commonly reported syndromes such as paraneoplastic alopecia and thymoma-associated exfoliative dermatitis, while also addressing diagnostic workups, prognostic considerations, and expectations for skin lesion resolution following tumor treatment. Rarer presentations and current gaps in biomarker research are also discussed, reinforcing the importance of looking beyond the skin when managing complex or refractory feline dermatologic cases.
Additional Resources:
JFMS Clinical Spotlight article: Cutaneous paraneoplastic syndromes in cats: a comparative clinical review