Cats get chin acne?

By Zoe Forward, DVM, Dipl. ABVP (canine/feline)

Notice any black debris on your cat's chin, or maybe even pimple-like lesions? Then your cat has chin acne. This is not a hormonal problem. Actually, we are not entirely certain why some cats get these lesions.   Some cats only experience one episode in their life, while others may have cyclic or near-constant disease.  There are several suspected causes, including poor grooming habits, abnormal hair follicles with overproduction of sebum, virus infection (calicivirus, herpes virus), stress, chin trauma (due to excessive scent marking by rubbing the chin on vertical objects, or from scratching the chin due to underlying allergy), plastic food dish contact allergy, underlying immunosuppressive disease or bacterial contamination from rubbing the chin in food (especially in old dried canned food). 

 

SIGNS: Early clinical signs include crusts and plugged hair follicles forming "blackheads" on the chin and lower lip.  Some cases stay in the blackhead phase, while others progress to form infected, draining pustules, nodules, or cysts.  In severe cases, a cat may develop painful swelling of the chin and lips.  Cats that develop the infected pustules will often act itchy and rub or scratch the chin.   The problem often recurs in susceptible cats and seems related to the hair growth cycle.

  

TREATMENT: Treatment varies according to the severity and extent of lesions, and how much the condition is bothering the cat.  Cats with only a few blackheads often require no treatment, but may benefit from cleaning the chin once a day with a medicated antibacterial wipe, changing to a dry diet, and feeding out of ceramic or stainless steel bowls that are washed with soap and water daily, rather than plastic.  In more severe cases, antibiotics may be necessary for 4 – 6 weeks to clear a bacterial infection. 

 

Call us if you are worried about this problem in your cat: (704)220-0226.

Pictures courtesy of Cat World: http://www.cat-world.com.au/feline-acne