Cats differ from other animals in many ways. These variations include biological systems and disorders that do not affect other animals in the same way. One bizarre example is hyperesthesia. The layman’s term for the condition is rolling skin syndrome or twitchy cat syndrome. Another unique illness experienced by cats is fatty liver syndrome. The state is particular to kitties only.
Acne is a common condition that affects cats. It occurs in any gender or breed of cat and is mostly visible on the chin. The inflammation can progress from small tiny bumps into open oozing sores that are excruciatingly painful.
What causes feline acne?
Skin changes
The exact cause of cat acne is not known. One theory is that it occurs due to damage to hair follicles. Overproduction of the keratin responsible for the creation of hair may clog pores and cause the occurrence of acne.
Another common hypothesis is that it occurs due to the overactivity of the sebaceous gland or contact with atopic dermatitis. Sebum is a natural oil responsible for the healthy look and feel of the skin. Overproduction of sebum causes a skin inflammation that shows up as acne.
Overproduction of keratin or sebum may be due to changes in the diet of lifestyle. The cat’s system overreacts to compensate for damaged body systems.
Sensitivity
Sensitivity to chemicals in foods is a well-known cause of acne in both humans and cats.
This case is because they cause hormonal imbalances and trigger a multitude of issues. Acne is simply a secondary reaction to other problems.
Physical triggers
Acne occurs along the chin because cats tend to rub their face’s edge along all sorts of surfaces. The contact exposes the skin to allergens, and the rubbing causes physical irritation. The chin of the cat could have breakouts due to touching a bowl surface with infested bacteria. This case is especially typical of cats that drink or eat from a plastic bowl.
Hormonal changes
Neutered and spayed cats have several reactions arising from hormonal changes. They develop stud tails due to the increased production of testosterone. Most acne formations are pustules and comedones.
Bad grooming
Poor grooming results in the buildup of dirt on the skin. The pores react to the accumulation by the formation of acne. Here are other common causes of feline acne:
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Compromised immunity
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Stress
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Bacterial contamination in the environment
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Back-to-back or simultaneous illnesses
How does acne develop?
The initial long-standing lesions that develop are comedones. These inflammations are nearly unnoticeable by the human eye. You may notice your cat beginning to rub its face against the surface a lot more.
The inflammations develop to become papules or pustules, which are noticeable when you are keen. Severe cases have draining tracts from furunculosis and cellulitis, thickening of the skin, and development of scars. Scientists discovered that the most common growth in severe acne cases has the following bacteria:
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Pasteurella multocida
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Staphylococci
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Malassezia
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Streptococci
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Beta-hemolytic streptococci
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Eosinophilic granuloma, which looks like a fat chin
Clogged hair follicles turn into blackheads and often look like dirt that is not washable. The progressed blackheads eventually rupture and bleed. The dried-up crust becomes furunculosis.
The raptured pimples cause the spread of bacteria that cause the extra formation of acne. The itchiness advances the development of acne and causes more skin deformations such as cellulitis. Some cats develop single outbreaks that resolve over time. Some cats are unfortunate to experience recurrent acne that causes permanent chin acne.
Management of cat acne
Feline acne requires lifelong ongoing symptomatic treatment. This order is essential for keeping the situation under control.
It is crucial to find a vet who will be helpful in the diagnostic and treatment processes. This case is because one can confuse acne with diseases like ringworm, psoriasis, contact dermatitis, or eosinophilic.
Significantly, one should rule out all other possibilities to get the best treatment option. Ignoring the first symptoms of acne will lead to thin or matted hair and pus-filled lesions. Do not attempt to employ DIY treatment options when you do not have an analytical report from the vet.
How do vets diagnose feline acne?
The vet will test the cat for environmental or chemical exposure. They will examine the cat to get the details of its infections. They will scrap a little sample on the skin and perform a biopsy to rule out similar skin issues like a yeast infection, ringworm, eosinophilic granuloma complex, and allergies.
The biopsy involves extracting a sample of hair follicles for examination under a microscope. A positive affirmation of acne will prompt the vet to perform a culture test. This exam exposes bacterial sensitivity and possible types of bacteria for the infections.
Treatment options for feline acne
What to avoid
Do not use human prescription-strength medications on your cat. Severe acne cases are not treatable without a prescription from the doctor. The stressful ordeal of choosing the right medication may also be too intense for one who does not have previous dealings with acne cases. Additionally, you will not know the right choice of medicated shampoos and wipes.
Apply the following procedural treatments to lessen the pain before you visit the vet.
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Do not squeeze any of the inflammations in an attempt to clear the bumps. The cat will object aggressively and additionally cause a significant spread of the causative bacteria.
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Disinfect the problematic area with a diluted solution of povidone-iodine or a gentle soapy solution. You can dab small solutions of colloidal silver, Manuka honey, or fresh Aloe Vera to reap the antibiotic properties.
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A cat that has a case of recurrent acne may be receptive to more serious DIY treatment options. You can swab the chin with cotton dipped in hydrogen peroxide or with hazel, among other solutions, as explained below.
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Evaluate your cat’s toxin loading by analyzing environmental chemicals and vaccines. These items may include household cleaners, candles, sprays, plugins, scented sprays, and bedding linen. Consider switching to non-toxic cutlery like ceramic, glass, or stainless steel.
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Do not use medicated ointment or medicated creams that were a prescription for previous acne occurrences. Creams containing Zinc oxide, antifungal properties, hydrocortisone, and other similar products are potentially harmful to cats.
At-home treatment options
The only way you can begin a DIY treatment option is after the vet confirms the presence of acne. DIY treatments may not be successful for skin conditions that imitate acne.
Cucumber is important in drying out acne and the affected area. Some medications include cucumber extractions to reap the benefits of the plant.
Other DIY treatments include green and black tea, apple cider vinegar, witch hazel, coconut oil, tea tree oil, and aloe. Feline owners who have experience with DIY treatments will have valid and smart reservations against harsh home treatments.
Do not attempt to feed the cat with essential oils in a bid to accelerate the antibiotic powers. Accidental ingestion of the oils is harmful to the feline’s digestive system. The acne should clear up with topical solutions within two weeks.
Homeopathic medication
Pet parents who choose this treatment option tend to incline holistic treatment options. The most common homeopathic treatments are Silicea and hepar sulph. These two options have makings that offer faster and better treatment than most DIY solutions. This case is because the medications target the entire body instead of the acne area.
Hepar sulph occurs after the burning of the white interior of oyster shells and lime Sulphur. It has powerful antibiotic properties that eradicate the infection in less time than most kitchen-based solutions.
Silica comes from rock crystals that have a dilution, which is essential for the treatment process. It expels foreign matter like abscess matter from skin layers.
Antibacterial medication
The vet may clip hairs around the affected area before scrubbing with a topical antiseptic. They may dilute a surgical solution with water to reduce pain on exposed skin. The pet parent may get to carry the solution home to continue with the treatment program.
The vet may avoid giving a topical solution to the cat if the infection is localized. This case is because the treatment does not make sense when the disease is mild. They will, however, prescribe an antibiotic when the cat has a severe yeast infection, fungus infection, or extreme scratches on the skin.
Medicated shampoo
Feline acne gets the best treatment when the owner incorporates antibacterial washes into other therapies. The active ingredient should be strong enough to handle any degree of acne development to support the effect of other medications.
Warm compressions
Applying a soft and warm compression is sufficient for mild acne. The treatment soothes the skin and reduces the bumps associated with acne.
Diet change
Cats with an inflammatory infection that causes itching should not eat inflammatory foods. You may need to review your existing diet with the vet to promote fast healing and prevent a reoccurrence. This case is critical because there are numerous cases of cats that have achieved better recovery from a change in diet.
Foods to avoid
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Foods that have a high chance of increasing inflammation are usually high in carbohydrates. Eliminate excessive and unnecessary grains and limit the inclusion of excess protein. Unneeded proteins include poultry and seafood.
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Chinese food energetics also recommends avoidance of hot foods – warm foods like beef and chicken increase flare-ups.
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Limit the amount of milk you give your cat because dairy is as much an inflammatory food to cats as it is to humans. You can substitute animal milk with plant milk like almond or coconut milk.
Food nutrients to include
Omega 3
Omega-3 fatty acids are a well-known cure for inflammations throughout the body. Adding them to a daily meal is beneficial in calming skin disorders inclusive of acne. The best sources of omega 3 include fish and fish-based supplements such as the following:
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Salmon oil
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Tuna oil
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Sardine oil
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Krill oil
Lauric acid
This nutrient helps in reducing the body’s production of yeast. Lauric acid is abundant in coconut oil, which has other powerful antibacterial properties.
Probiotics
Probiotics encourage the growth of healthy gut bacteria. You should talk to your vet about including human-based probiotic foods in the cat’s diet. The most resourceful probiotic foods include:
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Pickles
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Kombucha
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Sauerkraut
Zinc
The cat may have recurrent acne if you do not adjust the diet to include all the necessary minerals that prevent inflammations. Zinc is abundant in animal foods like meat and chicken, and a few plant sources. Grind cashews and almonds to replace the elimination of warm foods like beef.
Easiest topical treatment
The easiest way of applying a topical treatment is to avoid the struggle of turning the cat around to reach all the problem areas. You also want a method that achieves the farthest part beyond the top of the fur.
Veterinary Formula Clinical Care has the perfect solution – a medicated topical spray. The formula has antiseptic and antifungal properties that act fast and soothe pain and infections. Here are all the benefits of choosing the spray solution:
Healing
The manufacturer includes Chlorhexidine Gluconate as a deodorant. The element relieves fungal infections and conditions like dermatitis, pyoderma, and other common allergies.
Comfortability
The spray works to relieve any outbursts and infections because of the presence of keratin and Aloe Vera. The spray does not feel stingy or sticky; hence the cat will not want to rub the area against a surface.
Safety
The formula has a high safety rating because it does not contain parabens or soaps. It will not dilute the vet-recommended solution; hence it is an excellent complement to all medication forms. It is also a proven safe treatment for acne-inflamed skin that may have complications like folds or a thick coating.
Versatility
The antiseptic treatment is suitable for use in cats of all ages. You can spray the pet with the ointment two times a day without overpowering the skin’s breathability.
Affordability
The medicated formula has ingredients that have a veterinary grade. The makeup underwent sufficient testing to ensure your pet cat and dog do not experience any drawbacks. The amount of effort used in promoting the friendly usage of the spray does not match the low $7.61 pricing. Additionally, you can get free shipping for orders that exceed $25.
The best argument for the product’s benefits is the reviews of previous clients. Many people attest to the spray’s capability in relieving dominant lesions and pain. Get on the bandwagon and help your cat have a fast and safe recovery while supporting the vet’s prescriptions.
