PetFinder.my - [Dagu Berkarat] Feline Acne, "Kitty Acne"...

PetFinder.my (https://forums.petfinder.my/index.php)

- Health, Disease & Diet (https://forums.petfinder.my/forumdisplay.php?f=26)

- - [Dagu Berkarat] Feline Acne, "Kitty Acne"... (https://forums.petfinder.my/showthread.php?t=800)

[Dagu Berkarat] Feline Acne, "Kitty Acne"...

Feline Acne
AKA "Kitty Acne" or "Chin Acne"

By Franny Syufy, About.com

Anyone who has wrestled with adolescent acne will remember how difficult it can be to eradicate. Cats are often afflicted with a similar condition, called "feline acne" or, more commonly, "chin acne" or "kitty acne". Like acne in humans, its causes can vary, including food allergies, contact allergies, and (some experts believe), stress.

Plastic food dishes have long been suspected as a culprit in chin acne. Plastic is a magnet for bacteria and dirt that work their way into scratches and nicks, reinfecting your cat and/or spreading bacteria to other cats in the household. Veterinarians and other feline experts recommend using only glass or metal food bowls, and daily washing of those, in order to help prevent this common condition.

Stress-related acne can be treated by finding the causes of the stress and eliminating or ameliorating them, if possible. Emotionally cause stress may be relieved by medication, flower essences, or pherome-based products, such as Feliway. Environmentally caused stress might be solved by doing whatever possible to change the environment (move the furniture back that you just moved, or back off and gradually re-introduce that new cat or dog.)

Feline acne starts as small, oily black plugs in the chin, much like blackheads, which may progress to red, itchy bumps, which may become infected. Treatment varies, but most veterinarians will recommend daily cleaning with an antibiotic soap, followed by a topical ointment, either antibiotic, or anti-fungal. Oral antibiotics may also be prescribed, as well as a scrub with hydrogen peroxide.

Severe cases of feline acne may be difficult to eradicate, so you'll want to take your cat to the veterinarian at the first sign of black spots on the chin. Although cats are not embarrassed by acne, as humans are, the condition is still potentially serious, and not to be ignored.

=========================

Feline Acne

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
* 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
* Topical retinoids
* 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.

[articles are written by & are the sole property of Cat-World.]