October 21st 2008 11:07 am
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Today I begin medical therapy for an autoimmune disease called:

(quote from the Mar Vista Animal Medical Center in Los Angeles)

PEMPHIGUS FOLIACEUS – The attachment of the granular cells to one another is attacked. Pemphigus foliaceus is the most common immune-mediated skin disease of the dog and cat. The separation of granular cells creates crusts and ulcers generally around the eyes, ears, footpads, groin, and bridge of the nose. In cats, lesions also orient at the toenail beds creating crusty sore feet.

This description is accurate. I have crusty lesions on my feet which make it difficult for me to walk. I also have plenty of spots on my once-beautiful tail. I even have some on my side and back.

I will take 5 mg of Prenisolone twice a day.

Steroids are supposed to make cats fat, which is good. They might also inhibit the body's natural ability to fight infection, which is an issue for me as I have Feline Herpes. Before starting the Pred I was two weeks on antibiotics. Steroids may also cause diabetes, but I prefer not to worry about that now...