cat acne or flea eggs?

My two and a half year old female calico has been getting these little black dots on around her mouth. They look kinda like blackheads but come off like dirt. I looked into it some and found it it could be flea eggs or cat acne, but which is it? If it is cat acne how do i get rid of it?  there are pictures below 
 

If you put some of the dots in water and they dissolve into blood, then you know it's flea dirt.
To me it looks more like the acne which my cat got a couple of times on his chin. Plus, fleas would bite her all over, whereas the acne shows up around the mouth area.

That is acne and the limited amount she has is not concerning. Most often I recommend owners start with tossing out plastic dishes, using only glass, ceramic, or stainless steel to feed and water. Wash bowls daily.

There are chlorhexadine medicated wipes/pads for veterinary use that will help with her current existing glands occluded with sebaceous oils/dirt. Follicular flushing shampoo isolated to that area, allowed to set for 10 minutes, and copiously rinsed is also beneficial once to twice weekly while acne is visible. Virbac makes Pyoben and Allergroom that are effective for this. Pyoben gel is used in dogs, but cats tend to groom it right off, then hypersalivate after it hits their tongues. Vets carry the medicated shampoo and pads; call and ask which ones your vet has and if sold OTC without an exam.

Side note, she may have some calculus accumulating on the visible 4th premolar in that lowest set image. Two years is very young to have that amount of periodontal disease already, if it is calculus. That is much more concerning than her skin glands right now. Investigate that pathway if she doesn't have clean white enamel surface on those rear teeth (her premolars and molars). Cats lose oral roots fast after the crown and neck of a tooth forms calculus and inflammation. Teeth first, Skin second.

Good Luck!

puck said:

 
That is acne and the limited amount she has is not concerning. Most often I recommend owners start with tossing out plastic dishes, using only glass, ceramic, or stainless steel to feed and water. Wash bowls daily.

There are chlorhexadine medicated wipes/pads for veterinary use that will help with her current existing glands occluded with sebaceous oils/dirt. Follicular flushing shampoo isolated to that area, allowed to set for 10 minutes, and copiously rinsed is also beneficial once to twice weekly while acne is visible. Virbac makes Pyoben and Allergroom that are effective for this. Pyoben gel is used in dogs, but cats tend to groom it right off, then hypersalivate after it hits their tongues. Vets carry the medicated shampoo and pads; call and ask which ones your vet has and if sold OTC without an exam.

Side note, she may have some calculus accumulating on the visible 4th premolar in that lowest set image. Two years is very young to have that amount of periodontal disease already, if it is calculus. That is much more concerning than her skin glands right now. Investigate that pathway if she doesn't have clean white enamel surface on those rear teeth (her premolars and molars). Cats lose oral roots fast after the crown and neck of a tooth forms calculus and inflammation. Teeth first, Skin second.

Good Luck!

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what strength? i have 0.05% chlorhexidine wipes from Drs Foster and Smith. are these good for feline acne?

Septi-Soothe Pads

Active ingredient:  Chlorhexidene Gluconate 0.05% 
Other ingredients:  Aloe Vera, Citric Acid, Denatonium Benzoate, Fragrance, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Malic Acid, Methylisothiazolinone, Water.

Directions:  Clean affected area thoroughly. Apply pad to affected area 2 to 3 times daily or as directed by your veterinarian. Let product dry, then area may be covered or bandaged. Wash hands after handling product. For dogs, cats, small pets, and horses.

If labeled for veterinary use, any medicated shampoo/pad with chlorhexidine is safe and dilute enough not cause localized sensitivity/reaction. 0.05% is low. Up to 2% is used in vet med. If it attracts her to scratch her chin more after starting use, discontinue. Stick to no plastic bowls, as the porous surface holding on to bacteria/debris is how chin acne starts in the first place.

Cats laying on surface/bed that is laden with body oils/bacteria and debris contributes too, but likely in boarding or catteries, not house cats; more often seen in caged/crated cats with beds that aren't changed regularly or floor surface porous and holding onto debris, then coming in contact with face.