My cat's skin is very thin and it tears very easily. It is also very stretchable. The doctor removed a pound of skin (not fat), but it continues to stretch. Sometimes the cat will scratch himself or will rub against something and his skin literally tears apart. Can you tell me what this condition is and more about it?
This skin condition is called cutaneous asthenia, which resembles Ehlers-Danlos syndrome in people. This is an inherited, congenital disorder of collagen, an important structural protein of skin and other tissues. Affected cats will have various defects in collagen synthesis and function, which result in several skin abnormalities. The skin will be abnormally inelastic and stretchable, or hyperextensible. It may be fragile and subject to tearing or wounding with relatively minor injury. Skin wounds tend to heal slowly, and the skin of affected cats has diminished tensile strength. Some cats will show joint laxity as well. Cutaneous asthenia tends to get worse with age. The aorta and other blood vessels are also affected by this collagen-vascular disorder and an affected cat can suddenly die from aortic rupture.
Diagnosis is suggested by the affected cat's history, clinical signs and a physical examination. The veterinarian may stretch the skin on the cat's back as much as possible without causing pain and measure the height of the stretched part. The length of the stretched skin characteristically exceeds more than 1/5 of the cat's body length, excluding the tail, in a cat with this condition. Biopsies, with special tissue processing, may be needed for definitive diagnosis. Cats with Cushing's disease may present with similar symptoms, with excessively fragile skin that is prone to injury, but the skin will not be excessively stretchable.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for cutaneous asthenia. Affected cats should be monitored closely. Veterinary attention should be promptly sought for cats with skin wounds. Often, affected cats are declawed to prevent wounding during scratching or grooming. Affected cats should not be allowed outdoors, and need to be carefully protected from any potential source of trauma (bushes, other animals, sharp objects, and the like). All sharp edges and surfaces in the home should be padded to protect the cat from injury.
One study reported the results of vitamin C use in dogs and cats with this disorder. The vitamin C helped the dogs, but not the cats. You could, however, speak with your veterinarian about the use of vitamin C and see what is recommended.
This is a very frustrating disorder, and I am sorry that there is no cure or effective treatment.
10/13/00
