Hair and skin abnormalities of domesticated animals are readily identified and are biomedical models for ectodermal dysplasias. The hair coat of the Lykoi cat, a new cat breed, is a dramatic phenotype and has not been clinically or histologically described. Dermatoscopic examination was performed and skin biopsies were collected from seven Lykoi cats and seven dermatologically normal domestic shorthair (DSH) cats. All skin structures were examined on longitudinal and transverse sections. Immunohistochemistry for CD3 and Cytokeratin 8/18 was performed for comparison with DSH cats. Dermatoscopic images were compared. Lykoi had a significant reduction in average numbers of follicles per hair follicle group as compared to DSH cats, 14.7 ± 2.9 and 23.4 ± 5.4, respectively. Median (range) numbers of hairs per hair follicle group were 1.3 (0.4–5.7) and 18.8 (10.6–26.6), respectively. Mean (± SD) hair follicle depth was 0.95 mm ± 0.15 and 1.14 mm ± 0.21 for Lykoi and DSH cats, respectively. Mean (± SD) primary hair shaft diameters were 39 μm ± 0.029 and 47 μm ± 0.011 for Lykoi and DSH cats, respectively. Mean (± SD) total sebaceous gland area per hair follicle group was 19,937.7 pixels² ± 10,254.9 and 9,833.7 pixels² ± 5,784.5 for Lykoi and DSH cats, respectively. Unlike DSH, Lykoi had mild to severe perifollicular to mural lymphocytic infiltration in 77% of observed hair follicle groups, and follicles were often miniaturized, dilated, and dysplastic. The Lykoi has a unique feline phenotype that may serve as a novel dermatological biomedical model.

A male neutered Abyssinian-crossbred cat presented with a chief complaint of head and truncal alopecia, and was diagnosed with Microsporum canis infection. Fluconazole was initially started, but was discontinued by the owner 70 days later. Dermatophytic granuloma developed in the dermis of the left lower jaw 22 months later. Although itraconazole was effective, the granuloma recurred subsequently, and spread to the oral cavity. The cat died from cachexia suspected to be caused by feeding difficulty on day 921 following the initial presentation. This report highlights the relevance of dermatophytosis and dermatophytic granuloma in cats, and the importance of compliance with medication on the part of pet owners.

Rabbits kept at elementary schools were examined to clarify the risks of zoonotic mycosis for pupils and staff. Though no animal dermatophytes, a highly pathogenic human pathogen, were detected on any of 61 animals, a strain of Microsporum gypseum, a lower pathogenic species, classified as a geophilic dermatophyte, was found on 1 rabbit. While the possibility of dermaphyte contamination of handlers from school rabbits seems to be rather low, all personnel and items involving rabbits and cages should be disinfected to avoid extending the risk of dermatophyte infection to children.

A 6-year-old, female toy poodle exhibited dolorous erosion on the lip and oral lesions with halitosis. The pain on the lip improved by topical and systemic steroids as well as antibiotics prescribed by local veterinarians, whereas mucosal lesions did not improve. Histopathological analysis of buccal mucosa revealed separation of the dermo-epithelial junction. Direct immunofluorescence analysis revealed the deposition of IgG in perinuclear areas as well as just beneath the basal keratinocytes. Based on these findings, the present case was diagnosed with either mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) or anti-laminin 332 MMP.