Adopting an American Bobtail kitten with pemphigus: costs & life?

Question

I am thinking of adopting a kitten (6 month American Bobtail) that has been diagnosed with pemphigus foliaceus. What can I expect the costs to be over a life time and what kind of quality of life will she have? Pet's info: Cat | American Bobtail | Female | spayed | 6 months and 16 days old | 7 lbs

Dr. Strydom, DVM · Accepted Answer

Are you 100% of the diagnosis? Was it made with a skin scrapings? It is not impossible, however it would be highly unusual, to get this diagnosis in a 6 month old kitten. Before you adopt her I suggest you get that information. If only a presumptive diagnosis has been made, then you should take her to a veterinary dermatologist to get a confirmative diagnosis. This is not a disease you want to treat them for if they don't actually have it. Diagnostic tests that should be performed include cytology, surface skin scrapings, and deep skin scrapings. If no problem is identified with these screening tests, and there is a clinical suspicion for pemphigus, then biopsies should be collected and cultures should be submitted to a laboratory for analysis. Cultures are recommended to rule out a topical disease process from bacterial or fugal infections. I cannot give you an overall cost associated with this disease as it would depend on which medication is used (all have different price points) and her response to the therapy. She would need at minimum yearly blood testing (cbc, chemistry, thyroid) for sure which can run ~$150-$200. The prognosis is very good. In cats even though most cats will require lifelong therapy to maintain remission. Hope this answers your questions. The first step is to make 100% of her diagnosis before adoption.

Adopting an American Bobtail kitten with pemphigus: costs & life?

Most Helpful Answer

Related Questions

What to do if my cat has a small hole with pus coming from its ear?

My newly adopted pet won't eat hay. What can I do to encourage it?

My bird has PFBD. Is chest trembling a normal sign or a symptom?

Bloody brown liquid from my cat. Is it pee or poop? Vet help?

My cat is chunky. What food and steps can I take to help him lose weight?

Cat sick and still has fleas after vinegar treatment. What now?

Share