AR-News: (CA) Feline acne may not embarrass cat, but it is hard to treat

[Animalara2003 at aol.com]

http://www.timesstar.com/Stories/0,1413,125~1549~1768746,00.html



HORRORS! There on the chin and around the mouth are unsightly blackheads, 
bumps and pimples. If you're a teenager, your day is probably ruined. But if 
you're a cat, you undoubtedly won't lose a minute of catnap. 
Many cat owners are not aware that their pet can be afflicted with acne. In 
fact all cats, young and old, long-haired and short-haired, male and female, 
are susceptible to acne. There may be a single episode, or outbreaks that occur 
throughout the cat's life. 
Feline acne appears on a cat's chin and lower lip in a majority of cases, and 
sometimes on the upper lip. Acne occurs when hair follicles under the skin 
become blocked with cellular material. These clogged pores are small, oily black 
plugs, much like blackheads, called comedones. Papules (small raised lesions) 
and pustules (infected hair follicles) may also develop. 
 
Hair follicles that are infected with bacteria can rupture, draining fluid or 
pus and causing inflammation and swelling. The infection is localized, but 
the area can become bloodied and scabby as the cat scratches and rubs its chin 
to relieve itching. 
The causes of feline acne are unknown. Lack of cleanliness of the chin area 
could be a contributing factor; cats find it difficult to groom their chins, so 
a build-up of dirt, food particles and oil could lead to acne. Cleaning your 
cat's chin area after meals, or switching to less messy food, may help reduce 
acne. 
Abnormal hair follicles and glandular secretions may also be a factor. 
Several large sebaceous glands are on the cat's chin and lips. Excessive production 
of sebum from these glands can indicate a predisposition to feline acne. 
Some veterinarians regard plastic food and water dishes as the major culprit 
for outbreaks of feline acne; they suggest that bacteria, dirt and food 
particles build up on the scratched surfaces of well-worn plastic bowls, continually 
infecting the cat. Glass, stainless steel or ceramic bowls are therefore 
recommended, and all dishes should be washed thoroughly in hot, soapy water. 
When treating feline acne, your veterinarian should rule out other skin 
ailments such as fungal infection (ringworm), superficial yeast infection or mites 
(demodectic mange). Food allergies and emotional causes should also be 
excluded. 
Treatment of feline acne varies depending on the severity of your cat's case. 
Treatment is generally only given to cats where acne has reached the stage of 
infection, drainage or swelling. The chin area is usually shaved and then 
cleaned with a follicle cleansing wash containing benzoyl peroxide. A small 
amount is lathered on the chin and a warm compress applied for 15 minutes in order 
to dissolve or soften the blackheads so they can be gently dislodged. 
Never squeeze your cat's blackheads. If necessary, your veterinarian will 
remove them carefully to prevent infection. Antibiotic ointments are then 
applied. 
For more serious cases, oral antibiotics may be prescribed for up to three 
weeks, along with topical ointments and daily cleansing with a benzoyl peroxide 
shampoo. For cats that suffer recurring episodes of acne, antibiotics may be 
prescribed on a long-term basis. Cat owners should be cautious with benzoyl 
peroxide products as they can cause irritation with prolonged usage. 
Your cat may not be embarrassed by acne, but the condition can be difficult 
to remedy and should be treated promptly. 
Dr. Jeffrey Proulx is the director of veterinary services at the San 
Francisco SPCA. If you have any questions about dogs or cats, write to him at The San 
Francisco SPCA, 2500 16th St., San Francisco, CA 94103, or e-mail him at 
dr.jproulx at sfspca.org . To find out more about the SF/SPCA, check the Web site at 
www.sfspca.org 






"The greatness of a nation and it's moral progress can be judged by the way 
it's animals are treated." ...Mahatma Gandhi
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