Chin acne on my cat?

Hi

Just now (22nd) we noticed my male tabby Meiko has some strange pustule on his chin that make it look a little more pink than usual. It's almost like acne but I'm worried he might have caught something?  He's an indoor only cat, and is just over a year old.

Here is a photo - sorry it's not great and an odd angle.


This next photo was him on the 18th. No sign of the above.


Unsure whether this is related to the pregnant female semi-feral I have confined to a crate at the moment.  Is there something she could have given only him to cause this? They've not interacted as he's nervous of her. She's been here 2 weeks.

Anyone have any ideas?  :{  Really worried for my little guy. I know I should get him to a vet to be checked but wonder if I'm jumping the gun?

Hi,

It doesn't look like acne to me, but it does look like something.  Have they had any interaction?  Can he approach the cage?  If you decide to wait on a vet (and I'm not saying you should) it will likely get worse or better over time.  You could wait a bit and see, but the downside is that it gets worse and harder to treat.  When in doubt, visit a vet.

Can you tell us a bit about the feral? Is she crated in a separate room? If not, why not?  How did you get her?   Is she untouchable?  How did you get her in a crate?  A truly feral cat cannot be handled at all so its quire possible she is just a stray but can you describe your interactions with her?  What are your intentions with her?

Has the female and your cat had any contact or shared any of the same things, towels, or you as in you touched the female and then touched your cat?

Hi AmyRose:  

Stress sure reeks havoc with our immune systems, and kitties as well. It looks like Herpes, but I'm no vet! Herpes lives in our bodies and flare-ups occur under scary, new situations/ stress. IF this is the first cat you've ever brought home, your boy is likely to be experiencing a bit of stress, at the least. I would be sure he is getting probiotics each day (for overall good immune function). A general one should do (Jarrow's Pet Dopholis is good or use a human one at 1/4 of human dose). Also, Ignatia Mara 15c or 30c, 3 x day in a syringe ideally, or in his water bowl (homeopathic, natural, gentle remedy not a drug) is useful for anxiety (give until he has recovered, then taper off).

Good luck to you and your kitties. (I would also do your best to stay calm around him, giving him extra attention right now. IF you decide to keep the other cat, he will eventually adapt. You may know how important it is to introduce them very slowly while keeping in separate areas--If not sure of this process, ask the wise folks here!).

   Wishing your boy a quick recovery!!!   

StephenQ said:

 
Hi,

It doesn't look like acne to me, but it does look like something.  Have they had any interaction?  Can he approach the cage?  If you decide to wait on a vet (and I'm not saying you should) it will likely get worse or better over time.  You could wait a bit and see, but the downside is that it gets worse and harder to treat.  When in doubt, visit a vet.

Can you tell us a bit about the feral? Is she crated in a separate room? If not, why not?  How did you get her?   Is she untouchable?  How did you get her in a crate?  A truly feral cat cannot be handled at all so its quire possible she is just a stray but can you describe your interactions with her?  What are your intentions with her?

Has the female and your cat had any contact or shared any of the same things, towels, or you as in you touched the female and then touched your cat?

Click to expand...

Yes he can approach the cage although both of my boys keep their distance and Meiko rather ignores her. She is calm but both of them will hiss at her, Meiko less so now. He's a very happy cat and it takes a lot to frighten him but he's always been up and down health wise and in the past even had "wobbly episodes".

She is accessible because we live in an apartment and there are only 3 rooms, bathroom (tiny), bedroom and living room, all connected by a hallway. The crate is one of the 40 x 36 sort of sizes. I asked the vet about testing but he said she looks healthy and to do tests when she is being spayed. I will likely ask him more if I take Meiko which I'm leaning towards doing.

The only other place I can think for infection is the lounge window which is level with the empty next door house. It has a screen mesh. There are other ferals including a tom cat who occasionally walks past them. Is it better to keep them away from it or something?

The feral, I caught her 2 weeks ago via my Havahart trap. It's the first time I've been successful as she avoids the pressure plate, I was crouched near it. She's not entirely feral but clearly doesn't understand touch. She eats kibble from my hand (I wash before and after any contact) as well as allowing a head stroke while she is eating. She also remains very close while remaining calm, but she is easily startled.  I intent to let her have her babies and wean them, spay her and release.  Unsure whether microchipping is a good idea only I'm quite fond of her, she's been around here for a while approaching/following me for food.  I know some believe in spay/abort procedures but I cannot face it and she's already lost one lot of kittens out there last year.

DroogCat said:

 
Hi AmyRose:  

Stress sure reeks havoc with our immune systems, and kitties as well. It looks like Herpes, but I'm no vet! Herpes lives in our bodies and flare-ups occur under scary, new situations/ stress. IF this is the first cat you've ever brought home, your boy is likely to be experiencing a bit of stress, at the least. I would be sure he is getting probiotics each day (for overall good immune function). A general one should do (Jarrow's Pet Dopholis is good or use a human one at 1/4 of human dose). Also, Ignatia Mara 15c or 30c, 3 x day in a syringe ideally, or in his water bowl (homeopathic, natural, gentle remedy not a drug) is useful for anxiety (give until he has recovered, then taper off).

Good luck to you and your kitties. (I would also do your best to stay calm around him, giving him extra attention right now. IF you decide to keep the other cat, he will eventually adapt. You may know how important it is to introduce them very slowly while keeping in separate areas--If not sure of this process, ask the wise folks here!).

 

 Wishing your boy a quick recovery!!! 

 

Click to expand...

I thought "herpes" too but the mother cat has no signs. If Meiko has herpes perhaps he has always had it? Unless she has given it to him through the cage.  I suppose stress might be causing it too as they both are confused as to why there is a black cat in their crate now.

I may keep them confined to the living room but they are high-energy so it's hard.  I will look into those products you have mentioned, thank you.

If it is herpes and she gave it to him I'll not forgive myself. So hard to do the right thing in such a limited space.

Also, it in his chin, can it transfer to his eyes or anything?  Sorry I'm trying to find out everything I can about this virus, if it is that. Quite worried. He was a rescue kitten from a pet store.

Unfortunately, your boy could have contracted herpes from his Mom in utero, even if she doesn't have symptoms (she can be a carrier). There are some good natural treatments, like GSE (Grapefruit seed extract) that have been shown effect against Herpes (add a few drops to their canned food, but there are threads on this website with more on dosing.)

IMHO, it seems like quite a few cats in a 1 bedroom apt.... (and then kittens!). Maybe you can keep the door closed where your feral friend is, until you make the formal introduction, but assume you have already considered that. Leaving an item with the boys' smell near your new kitty and vice versa (once you know she's healthy), can help them adjust before face to face time, and they can sniff at each other under a door, according to experts. Also, I found a great website for health concerns and behavior, etc., written by a vet:  http://www.littlebigcat.com/health/slippery-elm/ which has links for new animal introductions.

I love your heart for these little ones. 

Good luck!

OK, well your cats bump could be stress related, a small injury, a reaction to something or something else,! That narrows it down right.  It doesn't sound serious, at least not yet, but there is never any profit in telling someone not to see a vet, and given that there is something there a vet visit should help.

The crated cat is not even semi feral in my opinion. A semi- feral cat will allow itself generally to be in the room with you, but would never allow touch.  Yours sounds like either a timid or under socialized domesticated cat that has been in a home at one point in her life.

If you intend to introduce the crated cat to the others, then FIV/FeLV testing is in order before the introduction is made.