From the potential vast array of biochemical interactions, patterns do emerge. In a series of periodontal disease affected cats and dogs systemic leucocyte counts were shown to be seriously reduced but were restored to mid range values after dentistry and diet change. The early histological feature of periodontal disease within the gingiva is a vasculitis with loss of perivascular collagen. 9 Scott has remarked that in two of his series of five cats the concurrent plasma cell stomatitis was histopathologically and immunopathologically identical with the footpad lesion. It may be contemplated that an immune and chemical response creating a vasculitis in the gingiva can also bring about similar changes in the vasculature generally.
Footpads are subject to constant deformation.
Even slight vascular and perivascular collagen disease within pads could be expected to become magnified in time. Such explanations are in keeping with Hamlin s postulate that periodontal bacteria and immune responses can give rise to degenerative disease. 15 Degeneration over time is a feature of many collagen and immune system dysfunctions, which it has been suggested, may form a necessary regulatory role in carnivore population dynamics. The two cases of plasma cell pododermatitis have remained in remission for more than three years. This suggests that the treatment regime has served a curative and preventative function.