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Question

Recently (within the past week) I've noticed my cat scratching herself more than normal underneath her chin. Upon inspection I noticed several lumps that I had hoped were just glands, but reading on the internet showed me there are verious causes for these some potentially quite serious. I also read in several places that vitamin and mineral supplement (A,E,C) and Zinc does very well in cats. I haven't any money to go get a prescription from the Vet so I'm wondering if there is anyway I can supplement these myself?

Submitted: 20 days and 11 hours ago.
Category: Cat
Value: $9
Status: CLOSED
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Optional Information

Pet's Gender: Female
Pet's Age: 10

Already Tried:
Nothing because I've not any money to go the Vet and I also just noticed the little bumps. She still seems of good nature and happy at this point, just scratching alot and was pleased to have me scratch them for her, is it something that might clear up on its own?

Posted by Terri Riba 20 days and 11 hours ago.

Answer

Hi there,

 

I am sorry your girl is haaaving this trouble. It sounds like feline acne or miliary dermatitis. Neither are serious. Just use plain neosporin on the bumps. Switch to ceramic or metal bowls as plastic promotes this.

Fortunately cats do not get as many skin conditions as dogs so they are much easier to diagnose and treat. They can be allergic reactions, fungus or infection.

Here is the most common with photos:

Stud tail:and feline acne
http://www.kittens-lair.net/cat-health/feline-acne.html

http://www.fabcats.org/owners/skin/acne.html

Ringworm:

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_ringworm.html

Miliary Dermatitis:

www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/mil-derm.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miliary_dermatitis

granuloma:

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_eosinophilic_granuloma.html

http://www.vet.uga.edu/vpp/clerk/Starnes/index.php

Scabies:

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_notoedric_mange.html

Hot spots:

http://www.thepetcenter.com/exa/hotspots.html

Ringworm can be recurrent and is treated with a topical fungicide or a vaccine shot.

miliary dermatitis can come from a food allergy or the bite of even ONE flea.This is treated with one cortesone shot or neosporen it is safe it he licks a bit.

Granuloma is also usually allergic in nature and can be treated cortesone or antibiotics or both.

There is also alopecia which is usually symmetrical and can be self inflicted:

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=1&cat=1338&articleid=195

A staph infection is also a possibility and can recur at times when the immune system is weakened temporarily.

Please look at the photos and let me know which best relates to your cats issues and I will be happy to discuss this further with you.

 

Warmest best wishes,

Terri

 

20 days and 10 hours ago.

Reply

Wow, that was some excellent information and resources. Thank you very much. Being that she is %100 an indoor cat I think it must be feline acne, she does have a little bit of that black 'gunk' not as much as the pictures showed. And I did find one little bit of white/pale crustiness. There are several tiny bumps but not-at least at this point-great amounts of puss or gunk expulsion. I think I will try the Neosporin as you said and make sure to bathe her more regularly with particular attention to her neck/chin. Hopefully it won't become too acute until I can get find employment again and bring her to the vet maybe for some antiobiotics. If the norm is to charge for a second reply, you needn't, as I can't give anymore money at this point. But I did want to thank you.

 

Kindly,

Giordano

Accepted Answer

Dear Giordano,

 

Fortunately, this is not a serious issue.

Just use the neosporin and change from plastic dishes and she should be fine. Its caused by cloged sebaceous glands like human acne.

You can also use stridex acne pads.

 

She should not ned an antibiotics.

There is absolutely no charge for follow-up so just press ACCEPT one time.

Your deposit stays with J A til you do.

 

Warmest best wishes,

Terri

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Expert: Terri Riba
Pos. Feedback: 99.9 %
Accepts: 
Answered: 11/2/2009

Feline Healthcare Expert

Expert in feline health and behavior. 20 years experience with cats.

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