Can Cats Get Corns? Exploring Feline Calluses

The formation of skin horns in cats is a complex matter, which can occur singly or in multiples, appearing either straight or curved, with diameters ranging from a few millimeters to 2 centimeters. These horns are hard in texture and typically exhibit a yellowbrown or dark brown color. Importantly, skin horns are not confined to paw pads; they can also appear on the face, ear flaps, and limbs, with paw pad skin horns being particularly common in cats.

It's crucial to understand that "skin horns" do not indicate a specific pathological diagnosis (PS: the presence of skin horns does not necessarily mean the cat is ill). In histopathology, they are characterized by welldefined papillary epidermal hyperplasia with dense keratinous columns, and sometimes, there may be evidence of dyskeratosis or multinucleated keratinocytes.

What Causes Skin Horns in Cats?

Skin horns are localized keratinous cones or cylindrical masses, which may originate from underlying actinic keratosis (PS: excessive sun exposure), squamous cell carcinoma, papilloma, dilated pore or infundibular keratosis, or even a unique sign in cats with feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection. However, multiple skin horns have also been found on the paws of cats that test negative for FeLV. In summary, prolonged sun exposure, immune deficiencies, precancerous lesions, viral infections, and hyperkeratosis may all contribute to the development of skin horns.

How to Handle Skin Horns in Cats

Here are some recommendations:

1. For cats with lesions on their paw pads, it is advisable to undergo a feline leukemia virus (FeLV) screening.

2. A definitive diagnosis requires a skin tissue pathology examination.

3. Treatment options include surgical removal, although recurrence is possible. While skin horns themselves are generally benign, the prognosis can vary based on the underlying cause.

In reality, skin horns on paw pads usually do not cause discomfort to cats, and they may not show any abnormal signs. Some skin horns may disappear naturally with age or increased activity. Benign skin horns can be trimmed regularly or left untreated.

However, if a skin horn grows in a weightbearing area of the paw pad, it may cause friction during walking or a larger area of impact, potentially leading to ulceration (which may also be associated with squamous cell carcinoma) and resulting in limping in the cat.

If limping or other abnormalities occur, it is essential to seek veterinary assistance promptly to determine whether surgical removal and further examination are necessary.

Remember: Click on "Common 3 Skin Diseases in Cats and How to Prevent Them" for more information on other skin conditions in cats.