Pipsqueak needs vibes and so do I........:(

Lauren, is your vet culturing any samples to find out what's causing it? Apparently folliculitis can be caused by either a bacterial infection OR a yeast infection. I know reading up on medical stuff on the internet can be dangerous, but if caused by a yeast infection, treating it with antibiotics apparently will make it get worse.

Given the other kitties also had a problem, I'm guessing there's not a larger underlying immune problem, or it most likely would have been limited to just Pip, no?

I'm sure you'll know soon enough if the Baytril is helping. In the meantime, I'm sure the pred will help.

Laurie, omg, you are right about the yeast. And I am wondering the same thing since the Clavamox did nothing to help and it did get worse. We have another vet appt. Saturday morning and I will be asking about the skin culture, yeast infection and antibiotics.

I tried to put a warm Epsom compress and he screamed in pain . I even hear him howl out across the room if he tries to scratch at it. Praying the Pred will help him out by tomorrow. He is only getting 2.5 mg. I wonder if that is strong enough. I read they should get 1 mg per pound to start.

Libby, how much does Jack get twice weekly? Pipsqueak has always been easily stressed and gets the herpes virus as well on and off. I have started him back on L-Lysine again too. That might help this as well. Folliculitis can be a symptom of Herpes virus . He very well might have a compromised
immune system and that is why this is taking a hold on him this way. In all my years with cats, I have never seen anything as bad as this infection. And, surprisingly so, I am remaining quite calm and in control with this because I know the last thing Pip needs is me getting scared too. I just keep telling him that I will take care of him and this won't last much longer, and give him a kiss. He loves to be brushed, so after I have to put the ointment on or pill him, he gets a gentle brushing and a treat. Knock wood, he is still eating.

Poor baby!!! Oh poor thing.

Yes, ask on Saturday. You'll have another day under the belt (plus today), and that should really be a good indication by THEN.

Good thinking on the L-lysine. You bumped him up to treatment dose, not maintenance, right? Because right now, I'm really wondering if it isn't the herpes or a yeast - for the reasons you've already outlined.

But at least the other kitties are almost better! (Right? ).

I suspect Pip's highly-strung nature and that he stresses so easily is what's contributing to his being so much worse.

Oh thank you Laurie . Yes, from what I am reading, herpes virus can take over the acne and bring it to the next stage, Folliculitis, as well as turning to a yeast infection. Also, stress can make it worse. The other two sweeties are doing better and hope it goes away completely for them. Walden, Wendall and Presley are fine. Presley had a bit of dirt for a few days but now it is gone on him.

Oh Lauren, I'm so sorry to hear that Pip is in pain. The poor baby!
My Jack gets 10mg of pred. 2x a week, and has for just over 6 years. He's a good-sized boy, weighing in at about 12-13 pounds.

I'm so sorry Pip is going thru this. Laurie made a very good point about the possibility of the infection being yeast as opposed to bacterial. (I'm sure most of us know that antibiotics can cause a yeast infection)

I would ask you to give Mr. Pip a gentle hug for me, but I don't know that he's feeling up to any loving right now. Good for you for staying calm--I think I'd be a basket case. (((hugs))), sweetie, just.....(((hugs)))

Oh Lauren - this is so distressing. Hope Pip gets some relief soon.
My boys are on prednisone 5mg now but Hobbes started on 5 mg every 12 hours. Maybe call your vet tomorrow to see if they'd like to increase the dosage?

I really hope Pipsqueak feels better soon and the swelling goes down. I can't imagine what you must be going through! Wessie has mild chin acne but it only seems to be bits of dirt. :/ Vibes for Pip!

Originally Posted by libby74

Oh Lauren, I'm so sorry to hear that Pip is in pain. The poor baby!
My Jack gets 10mg of pred. 2x a week, and has for just over 6 years. He's a good-sized boy, weighing in at about 12-13 pounds.

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Great, thanks for that info. I think he needs a bit higher dosage, at least to start. He weighs ten pounds, 2.5 mg. Is low.

Originally Posted by Calvin&I

Oh Lauren - this is so distressing. Hope Pip gets some relief soon.

My boys are on prednisone 5mg now but Hobbes started on 5 mg every 12 hours. Maybe call your vet tomorrow to see if they'd like to increase the dosage?

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I am glad you told me the dosage Calvin and Hobbes are on. Pipsqueak really should be getting 5 mg. Will call vet in the morning. Thanks

Actually, tonight he carried his toy around and wanted to play, big chin and all . What a little soldier . He seems to be feeling a bit better tonight, the chin still looks the same though. Although, I have to look without touching or lifting his head. He is on to me now and is starting to be leery of my approach . Getting a pill in him earlier was a total living
nightmare. It hurts him so much and those darn enlarged nodes are painful too.

Thanks, friends, for your vibes . Will update tomorrow as to his condition. Hopefully better news

Thinking about you and Pip and sending some serious lets-get-better-right-away prayers!

AC

Continued for Pip. !!!!!!

Thank YOU everyone!! I don't know how I would get through all of this with Pip without your support, it helps me so much.

Today is better !! The swelling is down just a little. One side still huge, but the other side is down . AND he let me do the Epsom salts compress. I then gently cleaned with the Hibiclens. After it dries, then I apply the Mupirocin. He tolerated it a little better with mild cries. Not like yesterday, my poor baby. Today he is a bit more alert too . I am not sure if it is the Batril or the Pred or just the combo of the two. Talked with vet today. I have an appt. for Tuesday morning now. If I don't see more improvement over the weekend, we will do the culture on Tuesday. And the skin scraping, which I don't think Pip will be able to tolerate well and I am scared for him to have that done. Will be very painful .....

I am just at a loss about this chin acne troubles. Perkins had a bit more dirt this morning. Perla had none . I cleaned him up and apply the ointment and then the chin looks extremely normal. I think if I just keep up with it, it won't progress to the next stage. I just have to figure out why. I am going to make some diet changes and only be offering them only two brands of wet food as soon as I finish up all of the other cans. I feed a wide variety of wet foods to my cats. I need to scale back on the brands so I can try to find out if this is food related. They are all eating from stainless steel bowls, water bowls/feed bowls are scrubbed and cleaned daily. I wipe chins after they eat (if I can catch them ). I returned the plastic water fountain. It is driving me nuts as to the cause. This all started right after the C/D and the water fountain which both were offered to them at around the same time. .

OH - p.s. Laurie, I started him on 750 mg. of L-Lysine. I usually do 500 mg. then 250 mg. maintenance. I just thought he needed a few days of the higher dosage to start.

Also, vet said I could give him 5 mg. of Pred. for the next three days then go to 2.5 mg. on Monday. Pip sees me coming now, and does cower a bit wondering what is coming ....... I give him all of his pills in the morning and clean/soak the chin to get it all out of the way and done. Then the rest of the day is just filled with extra lovin'. In the evening, he gets another application of the ointment which he is tolerating very well.

I just feel so bad for the poor little Pipster; it does sound as if he's being a very good boy and letting you treat him. I'm sure he knows you're just trying to help.
Has the vet given you any idea as to what could be causing this chin acne? Like I said, Jack is the only one of mine who ever gets it. They all eat and drink out of the same bowls and, truthfully, I don't scrub nearly as often as I should.
What are you using to clean their bowls, Lauren? Maybe Pip is extra sensitive to something in the cleaning process, even tho' I know you rinse them well after cleaning. I think all you can do to try to figure out the culprit is to start eliminating anything that isn't absolutely necessary that the kiddos may come in contact with. For some reason, I'm thinking more along the lines of environment than food as being the cause.
Whichever, continued for Pip that he continues to improve and that you can get to the bottom of this.

Originally Posted by libby74

I just feel so bad for the poor little Pipster; it does sound as if he's being a very good boy and letting you treat him. I'm sure he knows you're just trying to help.

Has the vet given you any idea as to what could be causing this chin acne? Like I said, Jack is the only one of mine who ever gets it. They all eat and drink out of the same bowls and, truthfully, I don't scrub nearly as often as I should.
What are you using to clean their bowls, Lauren? Maybe Pip is extra sensitive to something in the cleaning process, even tho' I know you rinse them well after cleaning. I think all you can do to try to figure out the culprit is to start eliminating anything that isn't absolutely necessary that the kiddos may come in contact with. For some reason, I'm thinking more along the lines of environment than food as being the cause.
Whichever, continued for Pip that he continues to improve and that you can get to the bottom of this.

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Oh my, you might be right!!! I have been racking my brain today trying to think of "cleaning" products. Excellent suggestion . I have been using Dawn (orange) dishwashing soap.... I will pick up some of the Seventh Generation dishwashing soap. And I use Windex Antibacterial cleaner on my counters, which he is always laying on . And so does Perkins!!!!!!!!!! Will pick up a different kitchen counter cleaner as well. Appreciate the tips. I am willing to try anything. .

His chin looks even a bit better tonight . And I just applied the ointment and he didn't make a peep!!!! What a little soldier .
P.S. I love the nickname Pipster!!!!!!!!!!!! Mister Pipster

Lauren, I am SO HAPPY to hear his chin is starting to get less swollen and isn't as painful!!!! Personally, I suspect it's the pred - since that's the only new thing. But whether it's the combo or just the pred, this is wonderful news!!!!

When it was clear Chum had allergies, we pretty much got rid of all the chemicals. We use 7th generation for almost everything, and BioKleen and NokOut for everything else.

Thanks, Laurie I suspect with Pipsqueak (who has always been a bit sensitive, mentally and physically ) there are a multitude of issues going on causing this secondary infection in his chin and allergies are a definite possibility. Today I will be changing out some products to 7th Generation and BioKleen. On my list of To Do's for the day.

His chin is no better today, but no worse. I am pretty sure we will have to do that skin culture on Tuesday to see what we are dealing with. I am getting ready to do the Epsom soaking in a few minutes . Pipsqueak has not slept in the bed for the last two nights . He usually sleeps on my feet at the foot of the bed. He is associating me with all of this pain. I only pray that once we get this all under control and cured, he will forgive me.

He'll forgive you, Lauren; I truly think he knows you're just trying to make him feel better.
Continued vibes that Mr. Pip's heals more and more and more........

Oh Lauren, I'm so sorry he's not sleeping in bed with you! Lazlo stopped sleeping in bed with us for a few weeks, and it was so sad for us. But it definitely wasn't because he associated us with pain... maybe the Baytril is making him not feel so well. It is a strong antibiotic.

OF COURSE he'll forgive you! And he DOES know you're trying to help him get better!!!!! It doesn't mean he likes it though. I knew my mom was trying to help me get better when I was a kid, but I still didn't like taking my medicine.

I am so sorry! Major from Maia and I for Pipsqueak's recovery!

I am taking Pipsqueak back to the vet tomorrow morning. The chin is not getting much improved at all. Just slightly on one side. The other side has two large, hard pustules. Very painful and the lymph nodes are still quite painful as well. I am so surprised he is still eating, but he is. I think if he gave up eating, I would just die . He is playing a bit this morning with Walden and Perkins and was upstairs for a bit. But lately he spends most of his time in the basement on his favorite cat perch. He usually follows me all around and that is not happening anymore. Not sure if it is the Elavil - antidepressant or that he is depressed about his condition. It is also getting to be a real nightmare to give him pills. I am just at a loss as to what the problem is with the chin.

Perkins and Perla's chins are doing great. That ointment was the key. I guess I will keep using it on them for another week then quit. Perkins chin looked good this morning. I was happy about that.