Cutaneous schwannoma and intense licking suggestive of neuropathic pruritus in a cat

Abstract This report describes a cat with unusual neuropathic pruritus associated with a cutaneous schwannoma. A 12‐year‐old, neutered, male, European shorthair cat presented with intense licking on the medial aspect of the right hindlimb, partially responsive to prednisolone treatment. A dermatological examination revealed an erythematous and partially eroded plaque and a firm dermal‐subcutaneous nodule. Histological examination showed a poorly defined proliferation of spindle cells extending from the superficial dermis to the adipose tissue, arranged in bundles. The spindle cells had poorly defined margins, elongated nuclei, homogeneous cytoplasm and a low mitotic index. Myelinated nerve fibres trapped in the neoplastic proliferation were observed. Neoplastic cells were immunoreactive for S100, Sox10 and laminin. A diagnosis of cutaneous schwannoma was made. Limb amputation was recommended, but euthanasia was performed due to the later occurrence of aortic thromboembolism and heart failure. This is the first report of neuropathic pruritus associated with a cutaneous schwannoma in a cat.