Feline Acne: Symptoms and Treatment
Kurt Schmitt
September 25, 2008
Male and female cats of all ages are susceptible to feline acne. Cats with weakened immune systems are more prone, but otherwise healthy cats may get the disease as well.
While the specific causes of the disease are not known, there are a number of factors that may contribute to the development of the disease. These include poor grooming habits, abnormal sebum production, and stress.
In affected cats, lesions vary in severity, but are typically mild and asymptomatic. Pain and/or itching are not common unless there is a secondary bacterial skin infection. Lesions usually initially present at about 1 year of age, and remain cyclic for the life of the cat.
Treatment may or may not be required. Your veterinarian will have to make this determination depending upon the severity of the symptoms, and whether or not any secondary conditions exist.
Signs and symptoms of feline acne -- Clinical signs may include lesions on the chin and lower lip. There may be swelling of the chin and around the lips. Your cat may have crusted reddish papules or dark brown comedones.
Secondary bacterial infections may be present, involving swelling of the chin area, or drainage of the lesions. In these cases, both systemic and topical antibiotics may be prescribed.
Sometimes, bacterial skin infections may appear to be acne, but are not. Sometimes ringworm or yeast infections may be mistaken for acne as well.
Treatment -- Feline acne treatment, in mild cases, is often not necessary. In fact, overtreatment is believed to lead to more severe skin lesions.
Your veterinarian may recommend topical therapy of some kind to help remove the comedones (blackheads). Depending upon the severity, more aggressive treatment may be recommended.
In order to facilitate cleaning of the affected area, as well as the application of topical medications, your vet may remove excess skin from the area around the lesions. You should never attempt this yourself as you can hurt your cat or cause an infection.
Treatment may include the use of antiseptics, such as Listerine or alcohol. Antiseborrheic shampoos may help as well. Some of these contain salicylic acid, which is a common component of human acne treatment formulas.
Topical benzoyl peroxide solutions are often used as a treatment in gel or shampoo form, and may be effective. You should note, however, that benzoyl peroxide preparations made for small animals are 2.5 percent, and those for humans are 5 percent.
Never use a preparation made for humans on your cat unless instructed to do so by your veterinarian. You should know that even the milder animal formula benzoyl peroxide treatments may be irritating to your cat's skin when used repeatedly over time.
As with other cat health problems, immune compromised cats, such as those suffering from feline AIDS may require more aggressive treatment for feline acne. This may include steroid therapy. Additional supplements may be used as well, including off-label drugs.
While the specific causes of the disease are not known, there are a number of factors that may contribute to the development of the disease. These include poor grooming habits, abnormal sebum production, and stress.
In affected cats, lesions vary in severity, but are typically mild and asymptomatic. Pain and/or itching are not common unless there is a secondary bacterial skin infection. Lesions usually initially present at about 1 year of age, and remain cyclic for the life of the cat.
Treatment may or may not be required. Your veterinarian will have to make this determination depending upon the severity of the symptoms, and whether or not any secondary conditions exist.
Signs and symptoms of feline acne -- Clinical signs may include lesions on the chin and lower lip. There may be swelling of the chin and around the lips. Your cat may have crusted reddish papules or dark brown comedones.
Secondary bacterial infections may be present, involving swelling of the chin area, or drainage of the lesions. In these cases, both systemic and topical antibiotics may be prescribed.
Sometimes, bacterial skin infections may appear to be acne, but are not. Sometimes ringworm or yeast infections may be mistaken for acne as well.
Treatment -- Feline acne treatment, in mild cases, is often not necessary. In fact, overtreatment is believed to lead to more severe skin lesions.
Your veterinarian may recommend topical therapy of some kind to help remove the comedones (blackheads). Depending upon the severity, more aggressive treatment may be recommended.
In order to facilitate cleaning of the affected area, as well as the application of topical medications, your vet may remove excess skin from the area around the lesions. You should never attempt this yourself as you can hurt your cat or cause an infection.
Treatment may include the use of antiseptics, such as Listerine or alcohol. Antiseborrheic shampoos may help as well. Some of these contain salicylic acid, which is a common component of human acne treatment formulas.
Topical benzoyl peroxide solutions are often used as a treatment in gel or shampoo form, and may be effective. You should note, however, that benzoyl peroxide preparations made for small animals are 2.5 percent, and those for humans are 5 percent.
Never use a preparation made for humans on your cat unless instructed to do so by your veterinarian. You should know that even the milder animal formula benzoyl peroxide treatments may be irritating to your cat's skin when used repeatedly over time.
As with other cat health problems, immune compromised cats, such as those suffering from feline AIDS may require more aggressive treatment for feline acne. This may include steroid therapy. Additional supplements may be used as well, including off-label drugs.
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