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What is feline
acne?
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Feline acne is a
common problem seen in cats. It is found on the cat's chin &
lips. Often symptoms are so mild they go unnoticed. Acne can affect
cats of any age, sex or breed.
Sebaceous glands
secrete oils (known as sebum) which lubricates the skin,
preventing dryness & irritation. The sebaceous glands are
mostly found in dorsal, eyelids, chin, surface of the base of
the tail, lips, scrotum and prepuce. They are connected to the
hair follicles. |
The glands also
play a role in territorial marking & any observant cat owner
will have seen their cat rubbing it's face & chin along
objects. Over time this rubbing will leave greasy patches.
In acne, the
follicles become blocked with black sebaceous material, causing
blackheads. These blackheads may become irritated, swollen &
infected, leading to pustules.
What causes
feline acne?
The exact cause of
feline acne isn't known. There are several possible causes
however including
-
Stress
-
Plastic food bowls
is commonly discouraged, especially in cats with feline acne.
This is because they are porous & trap bacteria, which is
then transferred to the cat's chin. It has also been suggested
that an allergic reaction to the plastic food bowl is a cause.
-
Poor grooming
habits
-
Over active sebaceous
glands
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Food allergies
What are the
symptoms of feline acne?
-
The chin &
possibly lips have black spots (comedones) on it, which look
like dirt.
-
Secondary
infection may lead to swollen, red, pustules, leading to bleeding due to
irritation.
As there are other
conditions with similar symptoms to feline acne, it is important
to take your cat to the veterinarian for a proper diagnosis
& appropriate treatment.
How is feline
acne treated?
Treatment of
feline acne depends on the severity of the condition. Removing
excess sebum is the aim. Some treatments include:
-
If
the condition is mild, with only a few comedones, topical
treatment may be all that is required. Gentle cleansing with
an antibiotic soap, hydrogen peroxide, iodine (Betadine) or Epsom
salts.
-
Topical
Vitamin A
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Topical
retinoids
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In
more severe cases, cleansing
the skin with an ointment or gel containing benzoyl peroxide
(such as OxyDex) or chlorhexidine may be of use.
-
Topical
glucocorticoids to reduce inflammation.
Severe
acne:
-
The
fur around the chin may be clipped by your veterinarian to
enable deep cleaning of the affected area.
-
Oral
antibiotics to treat infection.
-
Oral
glucocorticoids such as prednisone for severe
inflammation.
Always
consult your veterinarian if you suspect feline acne & never
treat your cat at home with an anti-acne treatment designed for
humans.
Is there
anything I can do to prevent feline acne?
Switch from plastic to glass, ceramic or metal food
bowls.
Wash food & water bowls daily.
Washing the cat's chin after eating, if it is prone to
acne.
Please note:
The medical
articles on this site have not been written by a
veterinarian & should not be considered a replacement for a
veterinarian visit. The articles are provided for
informative purposes only.
Always seek
immediate veterinary advice for any problems (health or
behavioral) in your pets.
While great
care has been made in the creation of these articles, we
cannot guarantee the accuracy or omissions on these pages.
If in any doubt whatsoever, seek professional medical
advice. |
