1 post tagged “feline acne treatment”

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.

Feline acne is a rare skin condition which affects very few people. Feline acne generally involves a bacterial infection. Other conditions that can cause similar-appearing conditions include skin mites, ringworm, yeast infection, or auto-immune diseases such as eosinophilic granuloma complex also known as rodent ulcers.

Feline acne occurs equally in male and female cats, and in cats of all ages and breeds. Symptoms are usually mild, and include red, swollen pores or black, clogged pores. Feline acne can also develop on the lips of some cats. 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.

Several factors appear to be associated with its development including stress, a suppressed immune system, poor grooming habits, the presence of other diseases, contact or atopic dermatitis, and skin conditions in which abnormal amounts of oils are produced. Feline acne is more common during the spring and fall shedding seasons, because this is when the body undergoes a cleansing process.

Causes

The exact cause of feline acne is not known, but several factors appear to be associated with its development including stress, a suppressed immune system, poor grooming habits, the presence of other diseases, contact or atopic dermatitis, and skin conditions in which abnormal amounts of oils are produced and the hair follicles do not function properly.

Treatment

The treatments which are available only control the feline acne in cats but not a permanent cure. Very mild cases of this acne cannot be treated. Sometimes, antiseborrheic shampoos which contain benzoyl peroxide are used to treat this type of acne and remove the excess oils. In case of secondary bacterial infection, oral or topical antibiotics can be used to treat acne.

Sometimes, supplementation with fatty acids is beneficial in this type of treatment. Retin-A can be used but it can be applied very rare as it can leads to irritation. Oral retinoid therapy and teratogenic can be given to treat the feline acne in cats.

Investigating the cause of the acne is also recommended. Acne can arise because of an allergic reaction to plastic food bowls, developing because of bacteria and dirt that can build up within scratches on the surface of the dish. Switching to ceramic, glass or stainless steel dishes may clear up acne for some cats, and washing the cat’s dishes every day can keep them clean and safe to use. Persians and other cats with flat faces seem to be more prone to feline acne, and cleaning their chins after they eat may help prevent skin problems.

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