By Michael (PoC Admin)
Bengal Nose - a comparison between a good nose and an affected nose - photo copyright Helmi Flick
Bengal Nose refers to a condition, which is a dry, crackly nose leather reported by breeders and in a research paper. It is not as far as I am aware a medical term. The nose leather (for people not in the cat fancy) is the end of the nose for a cat. Some breeders think the condition is caused by an incorrect diet in which there is a shortage of Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs). In that case rubbing vitamin E oil on the nose alleviates the condition. At least one vet diagnosed it as a food allergy, which was cleared up by a change in diet incorporating a different protein level.
However, a research article emanating from Sweden tells a different story. Diet may be a factor but there are other causes. There is also the question as to whether this condition is inherited from the Asian Leopard cat, the wild cat ancestor to the Bengal cat. For the time being, it is the research paper that tells us something about this disease. Perhaps more work is required? Or more cat breeder input.
The research was self funded and is entitled, "A novel ulcerative nasal dermatitis of Bengal cats" - Author: K. Bergvall. The author refers to the condition as a unique dermatitis that affects Swedish Bengal cats. It, in fact, seems to affect non-Swedish Bengal cats too. The work was carried out on 48 cats over the period 1999-2003. This is many years ago and it surprises me that it has only now being talked about. Perhaps I (and others) were unaware of it but breeders (or some breeders) were aware of it and didn't discuss it. How prevalent is it? Not sure, but of the 48 cats presented to the researcher 6 had crusts, fissures, erosions and ulcers of the nasal planum. That represents 12.5% of the total. The current percentage may be lower. Planum means "A plane or flat surface". Nasal means "pertaining to the nose". That doesn't exactly tell me the area we are talking about but as it is the nose leather (info from breeders - above) it must refer to the flat surface at the end of the cat's nose.
The condition was found to start at 4 months to 1 year of age. Antibiotics did not work. Salicylic acid improved the lesions in one of two cats treated. Prednisolone (a synthetic steroid similar to hydrocortisone - it is used as and anti-inflammatory drug and is a immunosuppressive drug) proved effective in curing one cat and partially cured another. Steroids are, as far as I am aware, a last resort in treatments as they can cause side effects. Some breeders wouldn't consider steroids to be suitable to control this condition, for an otherwise healthy kitten.
The most successful drug in treating "Bengal Nose" was Tacrolimus ointment. This is an immunosuppressive drug used with corticosteroids to prevent the rejection of transplanted organs in humans. This drug decreased the lesions in 4 cats. Lesion means "discontinuity of tissue". In this case it means that the nose leather is not cut but made up of broken tissue as a result of the condition.
The researcher speculated that it was an inherited disease and one linked to the immune system of the cat. Cat breeding cat lead to defective immune systems and higher levels of ill health in purebred cats. It is well known that purebreds generally live shorter lives that Moggies, on average. Inbreeding depression is a description of immune system malfunction or an immune system not working to full effect. Bengal Nose may be linked, therefore, to inbreeding in Bengal cats but this is pure speculation by me. It is, though, recognized that the Bengal breed has been developed from a small number of founding individual cats. Also the fact that the problem has no known environmental or dietary cause (i.e. it cuts across a variety of circumstances) and does not respond well to usual medication except as described above indicates a genetic illness.
There is no reference to it in Cat Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook, Fully Revised and Updated, a recommended book.
It there anyone who can shed light on Bengal Nose?
Definitions from www.thefreedictionary.com
I have a silver Bengal that came into my rescue as an adult. He arrived with Bengal nose and his nostrils were almost closed over with it. He also has constant runny sore eyes and weighs 3.4 kg which is small for an adult male Bengal. We’ve had him a few years now and nothing seems to clear his nose up completely, it does come and go and it isn’t anything to do with his runny eyes as it is the leather and not crust. I’m about to start him on a raw diet to see if it helps. I’ve changed his biscuit but that never made a difference. Loki seems to have a crappy immune system.
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Thanks Debbzz for sharing your experience on this. As you can probably tell I am convinced this is due to some sort of compromised immune system brought about by the breeding process. I don’t believe anyone knows for sure though.
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Here’s an update on my Bengal boy. He will be 9 years old this spring. Additional information I will note in point form to make it easy to remember.
Official diagnosis for his tummy issues is Triaditis – inflammation of the liver, pancreas and intestine (because of the nose involvement I think it’s appropriate to call it Lupus as the vet said before. This is an over active immune situation, not under active.
Flares happen in the spring and fall and vet is right to say it’s associated with shedding/changing coat. I bought a furminator type “comb” to more effectively remove shedding coat and therefore reduce his ingestion of same. Use it on my orange long hair as well cuz they mutual groom.
Steroid use has increased to every day or day and a half to keep on top of the inflammation.
Cerenia (1/4 tab every second day or more) has been added to his regime. It is an anti inflammatory, anti allergic and anti nausea med developed for dogs who get car sick. It’s been a very effective treatment for his tummy.
I am finding that Blue Buffallo Basics Limited Ingredient Grain Free hard food is both tolerable and tasty for him. He is still getting his Royal Canin prescription hard food as well.
Keeping the protein at about 30% and fat no more than 12% and fibre moderate at 7% is the safe range.
Soft food (usually twice per day) is best and needs to be a senior type level of protein and fat. This is important or he’s more likely to get gas and regurgitate and this could precede a flare.
After cleaning his nose I’ve found an ointment that helps keep it quieter for longer. It’s found in the natural baby (diaper rash) shelf at Loblaws (probably at natural product stores too). It’s called Lunar Eclipse – various herbs in an almond oil/beeswax base.
I will be asking my vet for one of the above prescription ointments to see if it helps any better.
Incidently, for what it’s worth. If I was a breeder (which I would never be) I would not breed any cat who came from such a condition, nor one who had it, nor one who has been shown to produce it.
If anyone cared to know, I would tell them my cat’s pedigree. It’s filled with the “greats” of the breed from ten years ago. What that means is an individual thing. All I know is I adore my boy and the mega bucks I’ve spent keeping him as happy (as I’m responsible for it) as possible, makes me discouraged less than the breeders who justify their decisions while they minimize the impact this condition CAN have – on the cat and it’s guardian.
I hope our experiences help others.
Cheers:)
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Erika, thanks for a super-helpful comment. I am sure many visitors will benefit from it. You are dedicated. It is obvious. Essentially the problem appears to be a immune system health problem as I state in the article. You have found ways to minimise it. I admire you for that. My best wishes to you both for 2015.
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So sorry to hear your boy has so many problems to cope with, but thank goodness he has you caring for him. Michael was right Erika, you’re clearly a dedicated and devoted owner. I’m sure your experience and advice will help a lot of people.
I whole heartedly agree with you that breeders should be screening their cats for more genetic diseases and removing affected cats from their breeding programme.
I’ve read that Bengals can be afflicted with a variety of hereditary health problems and it makes me question whether it was mistake to create domestic/wildcat hybrids. Perhaps they didn’t accurately predict the genetic outcome, or maybe they chose to overlook potential problems and hope for the best?
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I have F4 male bengal and he had the dry nose as well. He started to have it around 5/6 months and it went away on it’s own after 1 years old. Hopefully it will not comeback again. The vet had no clue when I asked about it actually.As far as the vaccines goes.Before I neutered mine I had to get the mandatory vaccines in Canada prior to the surgery. 36 hours later he stopped eating or drinking and was unwell. After couple days I took him to vet and after XRays it showed severe intestine inflamation.First was supected ingestion of foreign body but later ruled out.
He got better after spending whooping 1500 in one day to rehydrate him and run numerous tests. Even though his reaction was postponed my vet agreed it was reaction to the vaccines.Not sure about the name, but they were one of the best on the market.Just be cautious if you own a bengal with the vaccines and make sure to get them once at a time only.As I find out later it is a better approach rather then getting few at once.
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Hi Svetlana. I feel for you and your cat. It must have traumatic and very disturbing. Thanks for a very useful comment which I’ll turn into a article to warn people.
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My Bengal has this as well. She’s now 2.5 and it comes and goes. However this time the entire nasal planum has peeled off and left exposed raw skin on and under her nostrils. Our vet has given her a shot of something that he says has helped canines with skin issues, so will see what happens. But would love an update if you have any additional scientific insight.
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Hi Mali, I’ll see if I can get some fresh info about this. Bengal nose is a real problem and it is mysterious. It is also mysterious to me why the breeders or cat associations don’t say something about it. They are awful when it comes to this sort of thing. It is a breeder problem.
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Mali, is it a fair point to say that if the skin has peeled off it is a version or an extension of Bengal Nose.
Where the skin is dry and flaky it is already partially peeled off.
My guess is that the condition in your cat has gone a step further and the top layer of skin has peeled right off.
This is a terrible condition because vets don’t know how to cure it and I think it is due to an inherited gene that causes the immune system to malfunction. It could be an autoimmune problem based on an allergen in the air and inhaled.
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I have a 5 mo old kitten with this problem vet is not sure had biopsy they all scratch there head he’s large but a grey cat with lion looking face thank you now ill tell my vet
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if you can tell me any thing else please email me thank you
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Hi Ginger, I wrote this about 4 years ago so what I’ll do is another article on the subject to update it.
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hi michael i took max now to dermatoligist does not no said your cat is a maincoon not a bengal but his nose and symptoms match bengal nose now hes 7 mo old there giving him something for herpes cause they dont know please michael if you have any sugestions on what might help let me know. i hope it will just go away. should i put anything on it.
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Hello Ginger. In this instance, I would trust your vet. There is a big difference between the Maine Coon cat and a Bengal cat and therefore your vet is almost certainly correct. As far as I am aware, Bengal nose is a particular condition that relates only to this cat breed. Therefore, the condition that your Maine Coon has is probably different to Bengal nose. Therefore, the treatment would also be different. As a result, for the time being, I would simply follow your veterinarian’s instructions and wait and watch.
If you have a photograph please upload it but make sure that it is of the right size. Personally, as mentioned, I was simply follow your veterinarian’s instructions and not add to the treatment. I wish you the best of luck and my best wishes to your cat.
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I got my Bengal from a breeder here in Ontario-she’s gotten out of it since. He’s had Bengal Nose since I got him at about 12 weeks. Bouts of gastrointestinal distress eventually led me to a great local vet who diagnosed Lupus. Algonquin Animal Hospital in Ottawa, Ontario is where I take my boy. I also have Lupus and the vet said they’ve seen owners and cats with similar illnesses. My Bengal has been on oral steroid medication every second day for several years now. I use the liquid form as it is easier to get the dosage exact and avoid flare-ups. He gets .25 ml every second day. As long as the steroid is not missed his gastro problem is kept at bay. The oral steroid has had no effect on his Bengal nose. He loves to have me clean his nose with tepid water and Q-tips and will jump up on the bathroom vanity and meow it’s time to fix his nose. I often also then put on a steroid cream – the same I use for my face when my Lupus rash flares. In winter I keep the humidity up to 36% and this also helps a lot. It’s a prescription cream I get from my doctor so there’re no ‘extra’ ingredients. He is also on a prescription diet (Royal Canin Gastro Intestinal Moderate Calorie diet). The diet really helps his tummy and any attempt to change it has been met with flare-ups. My beloved Bengal will be 7 years old this May and I adore him. He has videos up on YouTube and you can be seen him under my channel: Remedy Farm. Any others who have Bengals with Bengal Nose are welcome to contact me through my YouTube channel. Perhaps increasing awareness of this condition will help the cats.
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Thanks Erica for visiting and a very informative and useful comment. You both have lupus. Is the lupus and Bengal Nose connected (the same cause – immune system defect). It is charming that your cat likes to have his nose sorted out and cleaned up. Smart boy. I am sorry, though, to hear that he has a stomach illness that is incurable. Permanent steroids seems to be a last resort treatment. Pleased it works though.
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