Our 12 year old cat first developed acne on her chin in May of this year. She somehow managed to get it pretty severely infected. We then went through 10 weeks of oral antibiotics (3 different kinds -- the first was liquid and we couldn't get it into her, the 2nd eventually seemed to cause an allergic skin reaction that made the skin on her ears and tail peel off), antibiotic cream, an Elizabethan collar, and twice-daily face washings. She became very afraid of me and sometimes aggressive. We finally got things under control a couple of months ago. We've switched to stainless steel food bowls and I scrub them with soap and hot water every day.
A week and a half ago, despite faithful every-other-day chin cleaning, she developed a red cystic pimple. I immediately took her into the vet's again, and the vet said she thought we caught it early enough this time and we could just go back to the antibiotic cream (OxyDex) and face washing twice a day. It seemed to be working, but today when I went to clean her chin I discovered that her skin is thickly peeling off with dark scab-like material -- even though yesterday it looked fine! -- and taking the hair with it leaving pink oozing raw skin underneath. I've called and got an appointment tomorrow morning, but I am FRUSTRATED beyond belief and our budget had been stretched to its limit.
If anyone has any suggestions, ideas as to why this is happening, etc, I'd be hugely grateful. Does this sound familiar to anyone?
- WG
Cat acne, infections on chin
Re: Cat acne, infections on chin
See a new vet for a new, thorough exam to determine if this is even feline acne at all, it very well could be something else entirely.
Stop using any cleansing products that were designed for human use, including any benzyl peroxide products....these are harsh on cats' sensitive skin, and can exacerbate the problem. There is usually no need for agressive cleansers for feline acne...a daily gentle dabbing with warm water usually suffices, combined with an antibiotic topical where necessary. Scrubbing and agressive use of "cleaners" will of course aggrivate the skin and worsen the situation. Do NOT "scrub" the area, gently use a cotton ball soaked in warm water and gently dab at the area to clean it, nothing more.
The first vet should have given you a topical the first time, something like a triple-antibiotic oiintment. NO other antibiotics, including oral, were probably necessary.
Ask the new vet to rule out food sensitivity or food allergy, both of which could be causing flare-ups, the vet would then suggest using a specific hypoallergenic diet. Also, if you are feeding canned, cease it's use and feed dry only, at least temporarily until your vet can determine if there may be a problem with oil-buildup from canned food.
Ask the new vet to also rule out eosinophilic granuloma complex, this can mimic feline acne at some degree, and can also cause lesions and postules mimicking feline acne. A hypoallergenic diet would be the first course of action for EGC anyway, save for ruling out mites, flea allergy dermatitis, etc.
Stop using any cleansing products that were designed for human use, including any benzyl peroxide products....these are harsh on cats' sensitive skin, and can exacerbate the problem. There is usually no need for agressive cleansers for feline acne...a daily gentle dabbing with warm water usually suffices, combined with an antibiotic topical where necessary. Scrubbing and agressive use of "cleaners" will of course aggrivate the skin and worsen the situation. Do NOT "scrub" the area, gently use a cotton ball soaked in warm water and gently dab at the area to clean it, nothing more.
The first vet should have given you a topical the first time, something like a triple-antibiotic oiintment. NO other antibiotics, including oral, were probably necessary.
Ask the new vet to rule out food sensitivity or food allergy, both of which could be causing flare-ups, the vet would then suggest using a specific hypoallergenic diet. Also, if you are feeding canned, cease it's use and feed dry only, at least temporarily until your vet can determine if there may be a problem with oil-buildup from canned food.
Ask the new vet to also rule out eosinophilic granuloma complex, this can mimic feline acne at some degree, and can also cause lesions and postules mimicking feline acne. A hypoallergenic diet would be the first course of action for EGC anyway, save for ruling out mites, flea allergy dermatitis, etc.
..........Traci
Re: Cat acne, infections on chin
Thanks for responding, Traci.
I haven't used any "people" cleaners at all, just water and tiny amounts of soap, tiny amounts of hydrogen peroxide, which the vet suggested, and now the oxydex antibiotic that the vet prescribed.
I really do think the oral antibiotics were necessary. We aren't talking a few reddened pimples -- she had significant cysts and a couple of deep abcesses. It wasn't just acne, it was a serious infection and was really, really bad.
The cat has been on 100% dry food the whole time we've had her.
- WG
I haven't used any "people" cleaners at all, just water and tiny amounts of soap, tiny amounts of hydrogen peroxide, which the vet suggested, and now the oxydex antibiotic that the vet prescribed.
I really do think the oral antibiotics were necessary. We aren't talking a few reddened pimples -- she had significant cysts and a couple of deep abcesses. It wasn't just acne, it was a serious infection and was really, really bad.
The cat has been on 100% dry food the whole time we've had her.
- WG
Re: Cat acne, infections on chin
OxyDex IS benzoyl peroxide.
I think your vet is treating this very badly. NO benzoyl peroxide products, NO hydrogen peroxide, the former is irritating to the skin and should never be used on cats. The latter can actually harm tissues and delay healing, despite the old wive's tale, hydrogen peroxide should not be used on any type of abrasion or wound.
The key to treating feline acne is minimal maipulation of the skin and tissues, at all. Soap and water if severe, and only dab at the lesion. Topical antibiotic such as bac-neo-poly once or twice a day as directed by a vet. Rule out food sensitivities, allergens, this is important! Rule out EGC (or fungal problem), this is important!
Bottom line, see a new vet ASAP, get proper diagnosis, get proper treatment. Your current vet is making the situation worse and may not have diagnosed properly.
I think your vet is treating this very badly. NO benzoyl peroxide products, NO hydrogen peroxide, the former is irritating to the skin and should never be used on cats. The latter can actually harm tissues and delay healing, despite the old wive's tale, hydrogen peroxide should not be used on any type of abrasion or wound.
The key to treating feline acne is minimal maipulation of the skin and tissues, at all. Soap and water if severe, and only dab at the lesion. Topical antibiotic such as bac-neo-poly once or twice a day as directed by a vet. Rule out food sensitivities, allergens, this is important! Rule out EGC (or fungal problem), this is important!
Bottom line, see a new vet ASAP, get proper diagnosis, get proper treatment. Your current vet is making the situation worse and may not have diagnosed properly.
..........Traci
Re: Cat acne, infections on chin
Sorry, I'm not trying to be dense, but isn't OxyDex for cats and dogs only? It's not a people product, is it?
Thanks for your help. I'm calling around now trying to find a new vet that will take us soon.
- WG
Thanks for your help. I'm calling around now trying to find a new vet that will take us soon.
- WG
Re: Cat acne, infections on chin
OxyDex is marketed as a pet product, but the ingredients are the same or similar to human acne products.
OxyDex gel contains upwards of 5% to 7% benzoyl peroxide, and an acetone base (drying agent). TOO HARSH for treating feline acne. Just because the product is available doesn't mean it is appropriate. Given the situation of open lesions and raw skin, this is the LAST thing you want to use on your kitty. Try to think of it like this: you've just "scrubbed" your face with a cleaner, then used an astringent, then applied benzoyl peroxide....if you have scratches, open sores, or acne, this feels like using a scotchbrite pad on your face, yes? Imagine what that feels like for a cat.
Again, topical real antibiotic, such as bac-neo-poly, rule out EGC, rule out food allergy/sensitivity. Do not use astringents, do not use benzoyl peroxide, do not use hydrogen peroxide.
OxyDex gel contains upwards of 5% to 7% benzoyl peroxide, and an acetone base (drying agent). TOO HARSH for treating feline acne. Just because the product is available doesn't mean it is appropriate. Given the situation of open lesions and raw skin, this is the LAST thing you want to use on your kitty. Try to think of it like this: you've just "scrubbed" your face with a cleaner, then used an astringent, then applied benzoyl peroxide....if you have scratches, open sores, or acne, this feels like using a scotchbrite pad on your face, yes? Imagine what that feels like for a cat.
Again, topical real antibiotic, such as bac-neo-poly, rule out EGC, rule out food allergy/sensitivity. Do not use astringents, do not use benzoyl peroxide, do not use hydrogen peroxide.
..........Traci
Re: Cat acne, infections on chin
Gotcha. Thanks. I'm wondering why the heck they market this stuff for acne if it just makes it worse, and I'm not feeling too friendly toward my vet right now.
I've got an appt at a new vet tomorrow morning and I'm waiting for a call back from the old vet so I can get the cat's records faxed over to the new office.
- WG
I've got an appt at a new vet tomorrow morning and I'm waiting for a call back from the old vet so I can get the cat's records faxed over to the new office.
- WG
Re: Cat acne, infections on chin
I wish I could answer that. Most of the information on such products are extrapolated from human use, but that does not mean it is safe or appropriate for cats. There are other safer, milder topicals for cats, and vets need to make better choices. It's been known for years that many cats do not respond to benzoyl peroxide products when treating severe acne, but the response can in fact be a persistent, worsening problem when it isn't treated appropriately. That's where other diagnostics come in, to ensure there isn't an underlying cause, or other condition going on that may be mimicking acne. Process of elimination, proper treatment, prevention methods.
..........Traci
Re: Cat acne, infections on chin
to keep you buying more so they make more money...WG wrote:I'm wondering why the heck they market this stuff for acne if it just makes it worse
- WG
I hope the new vet works out well for you...
Re: Cat acne, infections on chin
I'd say lack of knowledge and comittmentTambrey wrote:to keep you buying more so they make more money...
I hope the new vet works out well for you...
..........Traci