Two cases of feline paraneoplastic alopecia associated with a neuroendocrine pancreatic neoplasia and a hepatosplenic plasma cell tumour

Background Feline paraneoplastic alopecia ( FPA ) is a rare condition listed among the cutaneous paraneoplastic syndromes, which occurs in association with pancreatic carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma and metastatic intestinal carcinoma. Objectives To describe the clinicopathological findings of paraneoplastic alopecia in two cats each with an uncommon tumour not previously reported in association with FPA . Animals Paraneoplastic alopecia was associated with neuroendocrine pancreatic neoplasia in a Persian cat and with a hepatosplenic plasma cell tumour in a domestic short hair cat. Results FPA was suspected based on age, rapid onset of clinical signs, ventral distribution of alopecia, shiny appearance of the skin and telogenization/miniaturization of the follicles on histopathology. The nature of the tumours was determined through cytology, postmortem, histopathological and immunohistochemical examination, and capillary immunoelectrophoresis. A causative association between the skin lesions and the tumour was suggested by clinical and histopathological features shared with previously published cases. Conclusions and clinical importance Pancreatic neuroendocrine and plasma cell tumour should be considered as differential diagnoses when evaluating FPA .