Eosinophilic Granuloma

Question
I took in a stray two weeks ago with eosinophilic granuloma on his lower lip.  he was given an injection (not sure what) and the vet told me it would probably come back.  I have two female cats at home.....is this disease contagious?

Answer
Hi Cathy.  No, eosinophilic granuloma complex isn't contagious.  It's not entirely understood but is thought to be a sort of allergic reaction, an auto immune disease (when the immune system reacts to the body's own tissues) or a combination thereof.  Your vet probably gave him an injection of a cortisone-like drug, which will suppress the immune response that is causing the granuloma.  Just as people with allergies or auto immune disease will tend to struggle with them throughout life, many cats will have eosinophilic granulomas recur and must have steroid injections to control them as needed.  I did have one cat who had the disease.  He only ever had one episode himself.