cat acne?

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Purplecat - 07 Jul 2003 02:32 GMT

Hi,
One of my cats has got black crusty bits on the fur on her chin. I believe
this is a sign of overactive sebaceous glands/cat acne. Can anyone confirm
this? The only time I've come across cat acne before it was a lot more
obvious than this, but cleared up in a week or so with daily cleaning and
bathing with a very mild antibacterial soap - it was many years ago now
though and I can't remember what soap I used. Has anyone got any
recommendations?

Thanks,
Purplecat

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Karen Chuplis - 07 Jul 2003 03:00 GMT

> Hi,
> One of my cats has got black crusty bits on the fur on her chin. I believe
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> Thanks,
> Purplecat

I just used a gentle soap like ivory or dove.

Karen

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Laura R. - 07 Jul 2003 04:26 GMT

circa Mon, 7 Jul 2003 11:32:09 +1000, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav,
Purplecat (aeon3@nospam.hotmail.com) said,

> Hi,
> One of my cats has got black crusty bits on the fur on her chin. I believe
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> though and I can't remember what soap I used. Has anyone got any
> recommendations?

Having gone through a raging bout of feline acne with Alex when he
was having chemo, and with Oscar for no particular reason, there are
several things:

-if it's just the black spots, wiping his chin several times a day
with a warm, damp washcloth helps- especially after the cat has
eaten, as food and oils tend to stick to the hair on the chin

-people acne meds are too irritating for cats, so don't use those

-get rid of plastic food bowls if you have any. Sterilize water bowls
daily

-if the acne is severe, where there are infected bumps as well as the
black "dirt", then Panalog (1) tends to help, along with some other
goop that the vets can give you. Its name escapes me at the moment,
but it is a light, vibrant blue low-viscosity gel (the color of those
blue popsicles that kids like) that my vets would soak gauze in and
then just give me a baggie of the soaked gauze. It's a more gentle
antibacterial agent than people acne stuff.

-one of the best ways I found to get rid of lots of the "dirt" was to
scritch the beasties under the chin with a soft toothbrush. They like
the sensation and it loosens the dirt. Even better is if you can use
the toothbrush to lightly "scrub" with the antibacterial goop that
the vet can give you

Last, I know that Cetaphil is touted as a very gentle antibacterial
soap, but it gives me a rash. It may be the soap that you're thinking
of, however.

(1) Panalog is nystatin, neomycin sulfate, thiostrepton and
triamcinolone acetonide in a titanium oxide and petrolatum-based
cream. I mention this because Panalog can sometimes be hard to find
but your vet can give you something similar.

HTH,

Laura

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blkcatgal - 07 Jul 2003 13:47 GMT

My vet told me to use a soap like Phisoderm(sp?).

Sue

> Hi,
> One of my cats has got black crusty bits on the fur on her chin. I believe
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> Thanks,
> Purplecat

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rachel polanskis - 09 Jul 2003 13:56 GMT

> My vet told me to use a soap like Phisoderm(sp?).

Use a stainless steel or ceramic food & water dish, not plastic ones.

Cleo Carrington Smith's cat acne disappeared as soon as we switched.

rachel

Signature

Rachel Polanskis Kingswood, Greater Western Sydney, Australia
grove@zeta.org.au http://www.zeta.org.au/~grove/grove.html
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security,
deserve neither liberty or security" - Benjamin Franklin, 1759

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NEMESIS1IM - 09 Jul 2003 14:17 GMT

Hi,

Don't use plastic food bowels.

>One of my cats has got black crusty bits on the fur on her chin. I believe
>this is a sign of overactive sebaceous glands/cat acne. Can anyone confirm
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>Thanks,
>Purplecat

Regards,
NEMESIS1IM@aol.com
http://www.i-love-cats.com/meow/feralfelines/

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clpeters23 - 09 Jul 2003 20:14 GMT

Both of my cats had acne. I switched to stainless steel food and water
bowls. What got rid of the "dirt" was a warm, moist compress applied
to the chin that dislodged the crud, and benzoyl peroxide shampoo
formulated for animals. Do not use human acne pads or medication, or
squeeze any blackheads.

Goof luck!

> Hi,
>
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> NEMESIS1IM@aol.com
> http://www.i-love-cats.com/meow/feralfelines/

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Ginger-lyn Summer - 09 Jul 2003 20:18 GMT

>Hi,
>One of my cats has got black crusty bits on the fur on her chin. I believe
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>Thanks,
>Purplecat

Here are recommendations I've received from my vet and a knowledgeable
friend for my cat's acne.

Use a triple antibiotic ointment to clear it up first.
Then, to prevent return, wipe under the chin with a cotton ball soaked
in rubbing alcohol (which the cat will hate, but it works better) or
with hydrogen peroxide.

HTH

Ginger-lyn

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