Specific details needed...

Hi,

I've scanned through almost every post on chin acne and skin problems, and even checked out some very good links, but still I am unsure about what my cat's problem is.

I was scratching him under his chin as I normally do when I felt a fairly large scab. He pulled away so I just left it and thought perhaps he had a little injury. I've been checking it off and on over the past couple of weeks and started to become concerned because it wasn't going away... now the scabs are spreading and there are a couple of red sores along the edge of his mouth. It doesn't "appear" to bother him at all unless I touch that area, but the red sores don't look too good.

From what I've read on feline acne, there is much mention of it sometimes "getting bad" but no specific details of what "bad" actually is (ie. does that include red sores, scabbing?). I haven't noticed any blackheads, black "dirt" or small bumps, my cat is not scratching that area at all and there is no hair loss. He is otherwise acting normally. The only other thing I found strange before the scabs appeared was some watering and very mild discharge from one of his eyes for a couple of weeks (now cleared up).

Whenever there is mention of allergies or acne I notice that either hair loss or itching or both seem to be part of the equation, but I haven't come across anything that just mentions scabs and red sores.

Can anyone help me here? One of the reasons I'm not running to the vet is because I prefer to stay away from standard medication and treat what I can holistically. Both of my cats are senior, energetic with very shiny coats and (knock on wood) have never been sick!

Thanks so much for any help.

Hi and welcome to TCS.

What you're describing doesn't sound like feline acne to me, although I'm not a vet. It may be Eosiniphillic Ulcer/Granuloma or perhaps dermatitis caused by fleas or allergies.

From www.vetinfo4cats.com:

There are several conditions that can resemble feline acne. These include Malassezia infection (yeast infection) of the chin, demodectic mange, deep bacterial follicle infections, usually with Staph bacteria or Pasteurella bacteria and ringworm (dermatophytosis).

I have heard of feline acne getting bad enough that it turned into red sores and scabs. Happened to my friends cat virtually overnight. She took him to the vet and he explained that when it gets bad enough to turn to open sores, it is often infected and requires antibiotics. She had to do a very aggresive cleaning a couple of times a day and he was put on antibiotics. Cats with white chins are more susceptable for some reason. I have to recommend that you have a vet look at your poor baby!

Amy, I agree, feline acne can manifest itself like this. It's the red sores on this cat's lips that make me think it might be something else, specifically Rodent Ulcers (Eosiniphillic Ulcers).

Thanks everyone for your comments. I've been researching some of the skin ailments listed and so far Eosiniphillic Granuloma most resembles the problem. At closer look, in daylight, I noticed that the sores are more pink and raised, some by themselves (on each side of the lower lip) and also a small cluster under the chin.

To be honest, the real reason I don't like going to the vet is because of vaccinations. I'm sure that many of you would be appalled that I don't believe in them and never get my outdoor cats vaccinated. I don't believe in them for humans either and have many friends who do not vaccinate their children. It's a controversial subject to say the least, but so far my cats have been exceptionally healthy and their generally smart enough to stay away from trouble. I've also come across some wholistic vets on the web who don't think too highly of vaccinations either. Unfortunately in order to see a vet, the cats must be vaccinated, such is my dilemma.

At any rate, I appreciate everyone's help and I'm going to try and do all I can topically before slinking off to the all mighty medical establishment