In the world of "I'm not Kidding You" - My cat Abbie has Acne

[LynneSin]

My baby boy is a teenager at least in cat years.

I started taking Abbie to the groomers to get his nails clipped and ears cleaned out (I'm too chickenshit to do it myself). The first time I did this the groomer pointed out a problem around his ears and wasn't sure if Abbie still had fleas or mites.

I almost rushed him to the Vet then but thought I'd give it a week or 2 to see if it cleared up. (the vet had given him a clean bill of health when he got neutered so I thought we got all the fleas & mites).

Well, not only does he still have the issue right in front of his ears, but also underneath his mouth. So I decided to take him to the vet and see whats up.

ACNE

Well that's the problem under his mouth - he has Acne. I have to use Anti-bacterial soap and wash under there once a day. As for the ears, I guess he had mites so badly earlier that he now has a bacterial infection and has to get ear drops twice a day.

I didn't think animals get Acne - but I guess they do. My baby is growing up and is a teenager

[mitchum]

1. Lynn, does Abbie use a plastic food or water dish?

I once had a cat (RIP Buster) who developed acne beneath his chin (do cats have chins?), and the vet said that cats can often develop acne from the use of plastic containers. I replaced them with pottery and metal, and the acne cleared up. After that, Buster always had a date for the Saturday night dances.

[Catshrink]

2. I totally agree -- that's the first thing I'd check.

If it doesn't clear up, check out the food. Is it oily? That could be contributing.

My Ryno had that problem and a ceramic dish helped clear that up.

[LynneSin]

3. He uses plastic

Its one of those feeder things so he always has dry food available.

My vet never mentioned that. I won't throw away the feeders since they'll be handy when I travel and he stays at home, but I will change his food bowls.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

4. Several of mine have had it....

on their little chins. First time a doctor told me what it was, I was floored! Who'd a thought cats get acne, and black acne at that. Once I started feeding them in nothing but glass they don't seem to have a problem.

[LynneSin]

5. Abbie has black Acne

I'm switching their food to glass dishes but I'll keep the plastic feeders for when I go away for a few days.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

10. When Junior first got it...

I just thought he had a dirty chin! I kept scrubbing and scrubbing at it and it wouldn't get clean. Poor guy. :)

[MadHound]

6. In addition to the plastic dishes, what kind of collar does Abbie wear?

If he wears one. If it is a cloth or leather collar, should be fine. If it is nylon or other non-natural collar, that could be causing the acne, get one made of natural materials instead. If the collar is one of those anti-flea collars, toss the damn thing immediately! I used to work as a vet assistant years ago, and would see at least one or two cats or dogs with those anti flea collars coming in to be treated for chemical burns or rashes from the collar. The collar gets wet and the chemicals leach out and burn the animals skin or cause an almost allergic type reaction(hives, boils, etc.). Never ever put one of those on, there are plenty of other ways to treat your cat for pests.

[LynneSin]

11. Abbie only wears his collar when he goes out

When he's in the home he goes collarless. I feel no reason for him to wear it inside. I will put on his collar if I know maintenence is coming over for the day - just in case. However Abbie doesn't show any interest in leaving the apartment. He's lived in the dumpster and he doesn't want to go back to that life again!

[TEXASYANKEE]

7. As others have said ...

acne is fairly common if you use rubber food dishes. My cats had to go through this too, but the acne went away when I started feeding from ceramic plates. All cat problems should be so easy to fix!
:-)

[LynneSin]

8. Abbie now has 2 brand new stainless steel pet dishes

I picked them up at the dollar store. I still have the small pyrex dishes I used when I first found him.

I just spent $60 on a vet bill, I'll get the fancy dishes when I save up the money for them.

Abbie must be happy now - he's snuggling on my lap. You know how hard it is to type with a 12lb furball sleeping on your right arm???

[sleepyhead]

9. You can also use Stridex pads

Cheap and easy. Clean his chin as often as you can. And I agree with the ceramic dish idea. Wash the dish daily w/hot water and antibacterial soap. Acne does tend to recur, but isn't life-threatening, just unsightly. Cleanliness is the key. Good luck!

[Pale Blue Dot]

12. Is Abbie supposed to go to the prom tomorrow? nt

[LynneSin]

13. Abbie skipped the prom to snuggle with me

And I knew of his skin problem but loved him anyways

:loveya:

[Kat45]

14. Wow! It sounds like a lot of people's cats have had acne!

I never heard of that either. Learn something new every day!