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I have 2 cats (3 year old brothers). They are indoor cats ...

Sent to Cat Experts September 20 2006 at 7:26 AM
   

I have 2 cats (3 year old brothers). They are indoor cats and have no fleas (i've checked). they both have what looks like bites on their chins (one cat worse than the other). The worse one... the hair is gone and there are "bites" (sores with spot in middle), the sore is pinkish-red, but the skin doesn't look very irritated. The cats don't seemed bothered by them, I haven't seen them scratch (they are both front de-clawed). They let me rub their chins- seem to like it more.
I cut open vitamin E and rubbed it in for a couple days, but doesn't seem to be going away. Should I be concerned?

 

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Age: 3; Male; Breed: cat

Already Tried:
vitamin E/p>

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $8
Answer
September 20 2006 at 7:29 AM (3 minutes and 15 seconds later)
         
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Hello and thanks for investigating this important part of your cat's health!

Cats can actually develop a type of acne! This is a problem that starts in the oil glands of the skin...the pores get plugged up with excess oil and the skin looks like there is dirt that doesn't wash off.

If the irritation continues off and on for a long time, the hair can begin to fall out and not re-grow. Feline acne can spread to include more of the face or stay confined to the chin. This now irritated and sensitive skin can become easily infected.

There are three recommendations that I have for you to help you manage this condition:

1) Switch to stainless steel food and water dishes...bacteria that grows in pits and scratches on plastic and clay dishes can make this problem worse by increasing the incidence of infection to this irritated skin. Wash the metal dishes often to keep them clean.

2) Call your vet's office and get their recommendations for shampoo or other treatments. Not all people products are safe for cats, so you will want to use something specifically made for cats. ***You may need an appointment to have this skin examined to make sure that there is not already a deeper infection at work.***

3) If your cats won't eat dry food (wet food tends to stick on the chin and make acne worse), then do wipe their faces with a damp cloth after meals.

Here are some links that give additional details:

http://www.thepetprofessor.com/articles/article.aspx?id=336

http://www.petplace.com/cats/acne-in-cats/page1.aspx

If you need additional support at this time, please click "Reply".



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