Acne in Cats
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ACNE IN CATS
Feline Acne is a skin disease affecting the chin of
cats. It is thought to be primarily the result of the inability or lack of
desire of some cats to clean their own chin. Most cats groom themselves on a
daily basis and clean their chins by licking their front feet and then
utilizing the moist foot to clean the underside of the chin. Cats that are ill
or just too lazy to thoroughly groom themselves are prone to the “blackheads.”
Blackheads consist of blood and infection that have accumulated in the hair
follicle. The condition can sometimes be very severe and painful, resulting in
open sores on the chin.
Allergies may play a role in feline
acne, as some cats get better when steroid medications are administered. It is
thought that acne in some cats is due to an allergy to the dyes in their
plastic food and water bowls. These cats improve dramatically when they are
switched from plastic bowls to glass, metal or ceramic ones. Feeding moist or
canned food also can worsen the problem, as canned food is stickier and thus
more likely to soil the chin area during meals. Fungal infections, autoimmune
diseases and other problems may cause similar signs. If your cat does not
respond well to treatment for acne, skin biopsies or fungal cultures may be
needed to diagnose another cause of the cat’s symptoms.
Treatment may be as simple as
washing the chin of the cat daily with an antibacterial soap, application of
antibiotic ointment or, in severe cases, oral steroids and antibiotics. All
cats with acne should be fed from bowls other than plastic ones. Minimize the
feeding of canned diets.
Recurrence of the problem after
treatment is common because of the ongoing lack of cleaning the chin by the
cat, or because of continued exposure to something they are allergic to.
Treatment may be needed occasionally or all the time in order to keep the acne
under control. You will need to work with your veterinarian to develop a
treatment regimen that works for your cat.
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