Did you know that cats can get acne? They can, and it's not a teenaged cat disease, either.
Nobody is sure why some cats get acne, why some cats keep getting repeat bouts, or why, in some cats, it is so much more severe than in others. Poor immune system function, inhalant allergy, poor grooming, food, food dish, or food mite allergy, or other environmental allergy have all been proposed as potential causes.
Acne will be distinguished from other infections (including Malassezia yeast and ringworm), skin cancer, mites, and eosinophilic granuloma complex by your veterinarian during the professional assessment.
The treatment depends on the severity of the acne. Mild cases are often treated with shampoos or gels and topical antibiotic cream, while more severe cases are treated with oral antibiotics to counteract the infection deep in the tissues. Surgical intervention may be needed in very advanced cases. Vitamin A prescription cream has also been used. Sometimes, periodic application of cream and chin bathing are applied long-term to help keep acne in check.
One should avoid trying to burst the boils in the chin, since this can lead to rupture of the infection inside the skin and result in worsened inflammation. Your veterinarian may elect to gently shave off the chin area during acne treatment to help keep water or food from clinging to the irritated skin.
This is not life-threatening condition of cats, but as with people, advanced acne can cause scarring, and pain and the most severely affected cats may lose their appetite.
You May Also Like These Articles:
Eosinophilic Granuloma Complex in Cats
Cat Fleas: Does My Cat Have Fleas?
Does Your Cat Have Whisker Fatigue?