cat acne, help please

My cat has cat acne on her face (around ears, eyes, chin, cheeks).  I heard that oxydex gel is a good treatment but it is aparently not being made anymore.  Is there any other topical treatment that will work in the same way?  I do not use any plastic bowls or mats around her food or water, only glass bowl for water and stainless steel bowl for food. 

She also has a problem with her eyes, possibly cat herpes, her eyes get crusty with a reddish brownish substance and sometimes even bleed, she has gone through tests and treatments and now the vets say its just something that will never go away, but I'm wondering if it could possibly be connected with the cat acne?  I think my cat has a low immune system.  I just need something that can control this acne before it turns bad.

Also I was wondering, would she be healthier if we got a second cat, to groom her... would that help her eyes, and skin?

It sounds like you may need to start treating her with L-Lysine (look around here, many people are using it for herpes and other viral infections).  I wonder if the acne would respond to colloidal silver?  Maybe someone has tried that, too.  Carolina (you can search on her user name) is a big advocate of it.

Thanks   I actually had already treated with her l-lysine for a while and it didnt help at all, but I wasn't dosing it, I was just sprinkling it on her food so maybe I wasnt giving her enough.  I've started it up again today with the recommended dosing I found online.  As for colloidal silver I've used that before too but on her eyes and nose and it didn't do any help at all.  Hopefully the lysine will start helping her eyes at least and I will keep searching for something to use for the acne.

OK, some will disagree with me on this, but I have, at times, very carefully cleaned the chin area with a paper towel wetted with isopropyl alcohol.  The cat doesn't like it.  I imagine it hurts their delicate smell organs.  But the only other choice I would have, I think, is hydrogen peroxide.  The problem is excess skin oil contaminated with bacteria.  Usually, one or two treatments with the alcohol, and much more care with the cleaning of the food and water dishes, will solve the problem.  However, just as some teenagers have no luck treating their acne, on some cats it doesn't seem to clear up easily.

Thanks for the tip, I think I will give peroxide a try, I think its a little less harsh, and I have to clean her entire face, not just her chin.  I really dont think her dishes are the culprit, because it is all around her ears too, and also her dishes are wide and shallow so I don't think theres really much contact? 

I can't believe the vet told me to just scrape/pick the acne off, which I have done a few times, and it does come off, but it irritates her skin!  turns it red and causes sores and bleeding!!  And then the acne comes right back the next day.  That was really bad advice from the vet and I hope he isnt still telling people to do that p. 

Dinah, if you are using plastic catfood dishes, get rid of them and replace them with ceramic or metal. In many cases, plastic dishes are the cause of kitty acne.

For kitty's eves, 500 mg of L-lysine sprinkled into food is the amount I used. It took over 2 weeks, but it worked for me.

Nope, as stated in my original post, i dont use any plastic. Never have.

Hi,  Yes, I agree w/ the above. Angel will sometimes get some on his chin, even though I haven't had plastic dishes in yrs. I just put some peroxide on a cotton round & clean his chin really good w/it.

As far as the herpes, Angel has that too. The Vet has him on 250mg. of L-Lysine 2x/day, so I put 1/2 a cap in his wet food in the morning, & 1/2 in the evening. (could only find 500mg caps).

We also have to do eye drops (usually the Neo Polly drops) usually every few months. Luckily they always say his lungs sound good!   When I see his "3rd eye" as its called start getting pink, I know its time for drops. (drops say 7-10 days, I've learned we always have to go for the full 10). Also make sure the L-Lysine you are getting is good quality & doesn't have fillers. A natural health food store is a good place to look. I use the Solaray brand. It's only 12.00 for 120 caps. (I was a buyer in a natural food co-cop for 6 & 1/2 yrs. so I know this is a good brand)  Good luck w/ your baby

mrblanche said:

OK, some will disagree with me on this, but I have, at times, very carefully cleaned the chin area with a paper towel wetted with isopropyl alcohol.  The cat doesn't like it.  I imagine it hurts their delicate smell organs.  But the only other choice I would have, I think, is hydrogen peroxide.  The problem is excess skin oil contaminated with bacteria.  Usually, one or two treatments with the alcohol, and much more care with the cleaning of the food and water dishes, will solve the problem.  However, just as some teenagers have no luck treating their acne, on some cats it doesn't seem to clear up easily.

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I have done that myself when my Pushy got acne and it worked very well. People seem to prefer the peroxide though as it is less harsh, so I think you're right to go with that.

I can't believe the vet told you to just pick off the scabs! Sounds like a person who really doesn't care much to be good at his job.

My cat got it from the cracked ceramic bowls I was using. The glaze got cracked from repeated use in the microwave and I didn't realize that bacteria settles in there just like scratches on plastic.

It does take a while to clear up, especially in your case where there is so much of it. Good luck with your kitty!

Sorry you kitty is having these troubles. First off, I would suggest using Hibiclens http://www.hibiclens.com/ to clean the chin daily. You can purchase it at any pharmacy. Very gentle and effective. I have three cats that HAD chin acne for many months and that is what I used. Along with Mirpirocin ointment from the vet - on the chin. I have a feeling this may be more than acne though. Allergies OR Herpes virus. My Perla is recovering from Herpes. The eyes do get inflammed and infected AND the ears can become red with tiny bumps as well. I really think it might be food allergies though from what you are describing. For the L-Lysine - for Herpes - you should give 500 mg twice daily 1/4 tsp. equals 500 mg. for about a week and then go to 250 mg. twice daily. When I bumped Perla to 1000 mg daily - she started to clear up. Herpes is a chronic problem and there is no cure. Flare-ups are very common especially during times of stress. As always - make sure you check with your vet before trying anything we suggest here. We are not vets - but do have some great advice and suggestions that you can and should always run past your own vet :nod: Good luck

Angels mommy said:

We also have to do eye drops (usually the Neo Polly drops) usually every few months. Luckily they always say his lungs sound good!   When I see his "3rd eye" as its called start getting pink, I know its time for drops. (drops say 7-10 days, I've learned we always have to go for the full 10).

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I have tubes of terramycin, would that be as affective?

 

pushylady said:

It does take a while to clear up, especially in your case where there is so much of it. Good luck with your kitty!

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Feralvr said:

Sorry you kitty is having these troubles. First off, I would suggest using Hibiclens http://www.hibiclens.com/ to clean the chin daily. You can purchase it at any pharmacy. Very gentle and effective. I have three cats that HAD chin acne for many months and that is what I used. Along with Mirpirocin ointment from the vet - on the chin. I have a feeling this may be more than acne though. Allergies OR Herpes virus. My Perla is recovering from Herpes. The eyes do get inflammed and infected AND the ears can become red with tiny bumps as well. I really think it might be food allergies though from what you are describing. For the L-Lysine - for Herpes - you should give 500 mg twice daily 1/4 tsp. equals 500 mg. for about a week and then go to 250 mg. twice daily. When I bumped Perla to 1000 mg daily - she started to clear up. Herpes is a chronic problem and there is no cure. Flare-ups are very common especially during times of stress. As always - make sure you check with your vet before trying anything we suggest here. We are not vets - but do have some great advice and suggestions that you can and should always run past your own vet

Good luck

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eta: He found some peroxide, over a euro for a tiny little bottle! equal maybe to 1/4 of a cup.  Some random things are so much more expensive here vs. U.S.!  Oh, and you can only get peroxide here at the pharmacy, they keep it behind the counter because kids were drinking it to get high or something!?
 

I can imagine the alcohol would be pretty painful with a lot of open sores. It works best in the early stages. The peroxoide will work well, but you do need to get area wetter, and it may discolor the fur.

OMG - yes.... what an awful start in life your kitty has had..... AWWWW she is a miracle kitty for sure. You saved her life!!! Bless you and I really, really, really hope and pray she continues to improve. You have done an amazing job with her after that terrible accident

YES - the terramycin could be used - two to three times daily.... AND the chin acne can take a few week's to clear - especially if it is a food allergy - it will return. My cats had dirty chins everyday and I just had to stay on top of the cleaning. I changed their diet and now the chins are clear!!! No more cleanings. But I cleaned for many weeks. It can also be an environmental allergen too. I had to put my cats on Prednisone - a low dose - and then that was the final push to get it cleared up. But you would have to discuss this with your vet :nod:

Now for the Lysine - I was just told that it is best to give the Lysine twelve hours apart because it only stays in the body for about twelve hours :nod:.... Since I started my cat on the twice daily - I have seen great improvements in her symptoms. Please keep us posted..... I think the Hibiclens will be the best and most gentle cleanser. Hydrogen Peroxide is ok to use after the cleaning but not necessary. It is just an extra cleansing and disinfecting option. I really hope she feels better very soon

Thanks Feralvr.  This is our 3rd day on peroxide, with one cleaning per day.  It seems to be working.  The acne is already cleared from the ear area.  The mouth area is taking a bit longer but improving.  The eyes are still weeping and crusting but shes not squinting anymore.

Your so welcome, Dinah. I really hope your kitty turns the corner quickly and things start to improve rapidly. Please keep us posted !!!!!! I know how hard it is to see your furbaby not well. :rub:

Two of my cats got chin acne last summer. Mario had to go on antibiotics ...it was that bad!

I was using a plastic food dish but have since gone to stainless steel.

My new kitten has it on his chin ... basically my vet has said to use a wet paper towel and I have

some medicated shampoo, gentley scrub it daily but DON"T pick at them too much.

Dinah said:

eta: He found some peroxide, over a euro for a tiny little bottle! equal maybe to 1/4 of a cup.  Some random things are so much more expensive here vs. U.S.!  Oh, and you can only get peroxide here at the pharmacy, they keep it behind the counter because kids were drinking it to get high or something!?
 

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Yeah, try to buy peanut butter over there!

Peroxide can be used in explosives and as a rocket propellant, I believe.  It's dirt cheap here.  If you don't keep it in an opaque bottle or leave the top open, it just turns into water.  (Hydrogen peroxide is H2O2, water with an extra oxygen atom.  That is an odd atomic bond and breaks down easily to H2O and oxygen.)
 

mrblanche said:

Yeah, try to buy peanut butter over there!

Peroxide can be used in explosives and as a rocket propellant, I believe.  It's dirt cheap here.  If you don't keep it in an opaque bottle or leave the top open, it just turns into water.  (Hydrogen peroxide is H2O2, water with an extra oxygen atom.  That is an odd atomic bond and breaks down easily to H2O and oxygen.)
 

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Heh, we live in an international part of town, I'v found peanut butter but dryer sheets and regular yellow mustard don't exist anywhere in France.

Well, try to find pumpkin for pumpkin pie!

Is your cat's acne still showing improvement?

yes, but slowly.  The eyes dont seem to still be getting better.  Should I up the dose to 1500 for a week??