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What acne looks like in cats and its causes

Acne on the chin of a cat

Weakening of the immune system, against the background of which the body's defenses are disrupted. This reason is typical for elderly and sick individuals.
Sores can appear on a cat's chin as a result of constant stress against the background of life in a confined space. Too active games with other pets can also cause a surge of emotions leading to disruption of the sebaceous glands.
Lack of proper hygiene. The chin for a cat is an inaccessible place for self-cleaning.
Diagnosis of alopecia, which is a pathological process that occurs in the hair follicle. In the event of baldness, the affected areas are prone to contamination and the growth of bacteria. This, in turn, leads to clogged pores and the formation of areas of inflammation and acne.
Plastic bowls that cause uncontrolled contamination of the cat's chin. This is due to the porous surface of plastic dishes, in which food particles can remain. Leftover food ends up on the cat's chin and causes inflammation.
Often black dots appear due to congenital abnormalities of the sebaceous glands.

It should be borne in mind that veterinarians do not indicate clear reasons for the development of acne on the skin of representatives of the feline family. In some cases, dots appear as pigmentation and do not pose a danger to the animal's body.
The development of the process of the appearance of blackheads is always related to the disruption of the sebaceous glands of the dermis, for example, this is caused by an excess of fat, keratin and amino acids. In normal amounts, these components make the skin elastic and protect against possible foci of inflammation.

Acne in a cat

The cause of the problem may be the individual characteristics of the organism. In this case, the owner needs to properly care for the pet, which will reduce the number of black dots. An additional factor in the occurrence of acne in the chin area is that this area has the least amount of hair. This makes it easier for bacteria to enter the pores.

Additional factors:

improper nutrition;
hormonal disorders;
decreased immunity;
liver disease;
pathology of the sebaceous glands.

With a blockage of the sebaceous gland, the excretory duct can become inflamed, which provokes painful sensations

The problem can also occur on the hips, in the elbows and on the eyelids. Inflamed sebaceous glands can cause discomfort to the animal, provoking pain. The skin in the acne area becomes red, sometimes slightly swelling. Chronic intoxication resulting from infection of the body with parasites can provoke the appearance of black dots. At the same time, the waste products of helminths contribute to disruption in the work of various systems.

Acne in cats usually looks like small black dots that slightly rise above the skin, sometimes they can be seen on the lower lip, as well as on the back in front of the tail, if the fur is parted.This is due to the fact that it is in these places that the largest sebaceous glands are located, which are responsible for the production of secretions containing aromatic substances used by the cat to leave marks by smell.

Acne can occur in cats of any breed, but is most common in Persian, Himalayan, and Sphynx cats; cats get sick more often than cats; unsterilized individuals are more likely than sterilized ones.

A number of factors lead to the development of acne:

external - due to inappropriate conditions for a particular cat, with the normalization of which acne disappears. Usually they are: overfeeding, leading to the activation of the secretion of the sebaceous glands;
violation of hygiene: insufficient care for the hair and skin of the cat, especially the sphinxes;
insufficient cleanliness of feeding bowls, especially when using plastic utensils, on the surface of which microflora accumulates, which is difficult to remove during normal bowl washing;
rare treatment of the bed of the cat, which maintains the pollution of the skin and coat;

stress - there is an increase in the level of cortisol, a hormone of the adrenal glands, which increases the secretion of the sebaceous glands;

the presence of skin parasites:

fleas;

lice;

skin mites;

internal - due to diseases that the pet has:

viral infections;

chronic diseases;

dermatitis;

heredity.

The course of acne is characterized by a number of stages, but the course of the disease can be stabilized by any of them. In a number of cats, acne occurs sporadically and disappears on its own without a trace.

Comedones look like small black dots on the skin.

Acne development in stages:

The formation of sebum increases. This usually goes unnoticed, but in light-colored pets, yellowish greasy spots can be seen on the fur of the chin.
The process of keratinization is disrupted - the formation of keratin, this is the main protein of the skin and hair. Keratin accumulations block the outflow of sebum, clogging the sebaceous gland, and then the follicle. Also, mixing with the secretion of the sebaceous gland, keratin makes it thicker; the secret stretches the walls of the hair follicle and protrudes above the skin as a small black dot (comedone). With a large number of closely spaced comedones, the cat's chin looks dirty.
The third stage is characterized by the attachment of bacterial flora, which causes inflammation in the hair follicles. Initially, a red inflammatory tubercle develops at the base of the hair, which then suppurates and opens, a crust forms on its surface. The hair dies at the same time. The inflammatory process in the skin leads to pain and itching, so the cat scratches the affected area, contributing to the spread of infection and the onset of complications.
At the fourth stage, bacterial complications occur. These include:
boil - occurs when the subcutaneous tissue surrounding the hair follicle is involved in the inflammatory process;
carbuncle - is formed when several hair follicles and the adjacent subcutaneous tissue are involved in the inflammatory process;
phlegmon - diffuse purulent inflammation, which occurs, as a rule, with an aggressive nature of the microbial flora or an immunodeficiency state in a pet, which makes it difficult to delineate a purulent focus. The resulting purulent complications cause: fever;
areas of redness and pronounced swelling of the skin;
the presence of abscesses and purulent discharge;
pain syndrome;
inflammation of the regional lymph nodes, manifested in their enlargement and pain on palpation;
significant deterioration in general health: apathy, loss of appetite.

Thus, the course of acne in different pets may differ, in one case causing a slight deterioration in appearance, and in the other as a surgical infection of the skin and soft tissues.

When acne becomes infected, folliculitis develops

Special forms of acne

In sphinxes, acne has a hereditary nature, while comedones and nodular-cystic acne are formed, manifested by the formation of purulent cavities deep in the skin, prone to fusion and subsequent opening on the surface of the skin. The skin in the affected area is covered with layers of dried pus and dead cells, the most often affected skin of the tail and back in the spine.

Comedones in this breed are also characterized by a wider distribution than in cats with wool, they move to the neck, muzzle, and are found on the back and abdomen. Most often, completely bald pets are affected; in cats with residual fur, the disease is less common. Sterilization can facilitate the course of the disease.

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In Persian and Himalayan cats, a rare form of acne is recorded - facial dermatitis, manifested in the secretion of a large amount of black discharge, similar to wax, by the sebaceous glands. A large amount of secretion is contained in the folds of the cat's muzzle, as well as in the external auditory canal, leading to otitis media.

With facial dermatitis in the Persians, there is a thinning of the coat and the accumulation of a waxy black coating in the folds of the muzzle.

Preventing rashes

In order to prevent the appearance of blackheads on the animal's body, it needs to provide good living conditions, feed it only from a glass, iron or ceramic bowl. In addition, it is imperative to cleanse the animal, give it vitamin complexes and guarantee a balanced diet.

Pet cleaning

The cleanliness of the pet's coat must be carefully monitored, especially on the chin. To avoid contamination, you should bathe your pet with special shampoos.

Balanced diet

A balanced diet will help speed up the healing process and prevent the development of the disease. In this case, it is best to give preference to specialized products that are suitable for a particular breed. Experts recommend feeding your pet not only dry food, but also include boiled fish, chicken, eggs, carrots and grass in the diet.

Note! It is strictly forbidden to feed your pet with cheap feeds, as they contain a large amount of preservatives and flavorings.

Balanced diet for cats

Vitamin complexes

A loving owner must provide his pet with a sufficient amount of vitamins. They must be contained in food, therefore, special balanced feeds of good quality should be preferred. In addition, vitamin complexes should be systematically given to the animal, which will ensure the health and well-being of the pet.

Black dots on the chin of a cat may indicate a pathology that occurs with inflammation of the sebaceous glands. When deviations appear, the animal feels good at first, and the symptoms of the disease appear after a long time. A domestic cat becomes like a courtyard and unkempt. Why this happens and how to cope with the pathology can only be suggested by a specialist who, at a professional level, will determine the cause and prescribe qualified treatment.

How to diagnose acne in cats

Acne in cats is diagnosed by the typical signs of its manifestation:

the presence of comedones - small black dots that rise slightly above the skin, which cannot be removed when rubbed;
the presence of folliculitis - small red bumps or pustules located at the base of the hair, as well as crusts. If the process takes a long time, then one can also note the thinning of the wool and small superficial scars;
swelling of the skin with severe microbial inflammation.

There are diseases with similar clinical manifestations:

contact dermatitis caused by excessive exposure of the skin to physical, chemical or biological factors;
allergic dermatitis;
demodicosis, notoedrosis, sarcoptic mange - tick-borne skin infections;
malasseziosis, microsporia - fungal infections of the skin;
wound infection;
skin tumors.

For accurate verification of the diagnosis, the doctor prescribes additional studies:

a general blood test - usually with acne it has no specific changes, but if acne is complicated by purulent inflammation, leukocytosis will appear, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate will increase, the content of stab leukocytes will increase;
general urine analysis - does not have typical abnormalities in acne, it is necessary to clarify the functional state of the kidneys;
biochemical blood test - is carried out to determine the functional state of internal organs and determine possible contraindications for the use of certain pharmaceuticals;
Ultrasound of the abdominal organs is prescribed for: elderly pets;
having chronic diseases;
having changes in laboratory research;

immunological tests for viral infections are prescribed according to indications;

in difficult cases, a histological examination of a sample of the affected skin is carried out by microscopy.

Therefore, despite the obvious clinical manifestations, only a veterinarian should carry out the diagnosis of acne.

Only a veterinarian can diagnose acne in a cat.

Symptoms and Treatment

The main symptom of the appearance of acne on the chin is the very formation of blackheads, which should be distinguished from normal pigmentation. The primary symptom is noticeable redness of the skin, followed by comedones. The latter are cone-shaped blackheads, the top of which is necessarily dark in color.

Gradually, comedones increase in size, and the shade of the top may become whitish. White color indicates that the pollution itself is hidden deep in the pores, while it does not have access to air.

Against the background of the formed acne, swelling of the cat's lower jaw is noticeable. If the disease is at an advanced stage, when timely treatment of acne on the chin of the cat has not been carried out, characteristic pustules appear on the skin, as well as skin nodes. The main symptom in the cat's behavior in this case will be anxiety, which arises from constant itching and painful discomfort.

In addition, the following behavioral characteristics of a pet are observed:

aggression;
lack of appetite;
constant scratching of the affected area.

The hair on the chin with the formation of acne gradually thinns, purulent and even blood crusts appear.

Before treating black dots in the cat's fur, it is important to determine the cause of their formation. If the violation of the metabolic processes of the sebaceous glands is caused by internal pathological processes, in particular, a drop in the level of immunity against the background of a disease, you should start treating this disease. Otherwise, symptomatic treatment will have no effect.

Important! Preliminary exclusion of diagnoses such as demodicosis, scabies, allergic reaction, dermatophytosis, eosinophilic granuloma. The external manifestations of skin diseases are often similar to the appearance of acne, but are usually accompanied by other external manifestations.

Black dots on the chin

The therapy regimen provides for a complex effect on the affected areas. During treatment, it will be necessary to carry out not only the intake of oral medications, but also to carry out local treatment of the foci of inflammation, as well as to follow a special diet. In difficult and advanced cases, you will have to resort to injections.

Local processing includes the following procedures:

washing a cat with tar soap;
the use of tar shampoo according to the instructions;
using medicated anti-seborrhea shampoos prescribed by a veterinarian;
the use of antiseptics for local treatment - Chlorhexidine, Miramistin and others;
the use of percutane;
applying a bandage with a calendula lotion, which relieves inflammation.

In some cases, veterinarians prescribe the use of hydrogen peroxide, iodine and salicyl-based alcohol. However, the use of such drugs is possible only if absolutely necessary, according to the scheme recommended by the doctor.

If, during the blockage of the pores, an infection of a secondary nature has occurred, the animal needs to take antibacterial drugs. With a strong inflammatory process on the skin, corticosteroid therapy is indispensable. To normalize the metabolic processes of the sebaceous glands, it is advisable to introduce vitamin complexes into the daily intake of a cat.

Important! Pay attention to the nutrition of the cat, on the chin of which black dots have appeared. An important point is a complete rejection of fatty foods and balance. You will have to give up economy class feeds, which often cause acne. The body in this way shows an allergic reaction to vegetable protein.

Tar soap

As point anti-inflammatory drugs, you can use oily solutions of Chlorfilipt and Clotrimazole ointment. After the acne has been treated with such compounds, sulfuric ointment should be immediately applied to the lesion.

Squeezing out pimples and blackheads on a cat's chin is strictly not recommended. Each rash must go through all stages of maturation, after which they are independently opened without pathologies in the animal's body.

It is not recommended to treat the entire surface of the animal's skin when treating acne. It is important to act pointwise, not too zealous with the amount of the agent used. If you do too frequent wetting with preparations, it can lead to a chemical burn of the skin due to excessive dryness.

It is not recommended to use well-known antiseptic agents such as iodine or brilliant green. Despite their disinfecting properties, they can lead to excessive spread of infection over the surface of the skin.

Apply all local remedies for the treatment of the disease in a thin layer. If the irritation of the skin increases, you should abandon treatment or change the methods of external treatment. Even if the chosen method of therapy has some success, if there are signs of damage and allergic foci, treatment should be interrupted immediately.

Traditional medicine recipes can be used to combat blackheads. An excellent effect is obtained from lotions with celandine, the preparation of the composition for which is not difficult. Pour medicinal dried herbs in a ratio of 6: 4, then apply a lotion to the affected area, preferably at night.

Medicinal dried herb
Nervousness during the day and restless sleep at night can pursue a four-legged friend with severe degrees of damage. Because of this, over time, the animal constantly drinks a lot of water and eats little. The wounds on the skin are constantly gnawed by the pet, and the opened wounds are self-infected with various infections and harmful bacteria. If left untreated, the animal can become completely bald and die from an excess of bacteria and infections in the body that have entered through the wounds.

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In general, such a creature is reluctant to settle on people, and is very fond of animal hair, because a person does not have such a thick undercoat that is found in dogs or cats.

Systemic antibacterial drugs, as well as topical application of transretinoic acid, are contraindicated in pregnant cats. Local use of ointments with antibiotics is also undesirable, since the penetration of the substance into the systemic circulation and a negative effect on the fetus is possible. Should be limited to hygiene procedures and local antiseptic therapy. Fortunately, both systemic antibiotics and retinoids are rarely used to treat acne.

To prevent the weakening of immunity in a kitten associated with the development of intestinal dysbiosis when prescribing a systemic antibiotic, care and local treatment also come first.

In the treatment of acne, they are guided by the stage of the disease:

Treatment in the first stage is carried out using shampoos that reduce the formation of sebum, which are used at first every day, gradually switching to weekly use:
When comedones have formed, rubbing the skin is carried out:
benzoyl peroxide;
antiseptic solutions used 2-3 times a day:
Miramistina;
In the presence of folliculitis, use:
Erythromycin ointment;
Bactroban;
Benzamycin;
topical therapy with trans-retinoic acid, such as Retin-A;
systemic antibiotics:
when infected with fungal flora, apply:
At the fourth stage, in the event of complications and the presence of severe skin lesions, there is a need for surgical assistance:
removal of pus;
washing wounds with antiseptic solutions;
subsequent dressings with antiseptic solutions and Levomekol ointment.

Diagnostics

The presence of worms can be detected at home, but the exact diagnosis and type of parasite is recommended to be established in a hospital setting, by examining the feces.

The presence of worms can be detected at home.

For the treatment of helminthic invasion, anthelmintic drugs are used - drontal, pyrantel, praziquantel. The same drugs can be used as a preventive measure. It is allowed to give medicines along with food.
The use of a sorbent in the form of activated carbon is recommended.
Preventive or curative deworming should be done prior to routine vaccination.
It is permissible to use the drug caniquantel, which is used once and contains two active substances - fenbendazole and praziquantel. The interaction of both substances leads to blocking of the muscular and nervous systems of the parasitic microorganism and contributes to their death. The remains of dead worms come out with feces.
It is also recommended to use Profender drops that drip onto the withers of the animal.
The active substances - emodepsid and praziquantel, provoke paralysis of the neuromuscular system of parasites and lead to the death of the latter.
Stronghold suspension has a good recommendation. The active substance is selamectin.
Drops of a wide spectrum of action - parzicide-complex, which include a whole complex of drugs: praziquantel, ivermectin, levamisole, thiamethoxam.
Medicinal preparations in the form of suspensions - prazicide plus, pyrantel, prazitel.
It is advisable to use suspensions for the convenience of use by animals. After the suspension enters the oral cavity, the cat cannot get rid of it on its own.
It is permissible to use a polivercan in the form of sugar cubes. This drug provokes a failure in the absorption of glucose by the parasite, which is accompanied by a metabolic disorder in the microorganism and ends with its death.

The drug Drontal is used to treat helminthic invasion.

Preventive measures

minimize contact with stray animals.
Regular treatment of dogs for fleas before the warm season with special drops or the use of an anti-flea collar.
Cleaning of the place where the dog is resting - booths, couches, rugs. It should be done at least once a week.
Regular brushing of the dog with a fine comb.

Such measures will reliably protect the dog from fleas, even if she accidentally brings them from the street.

Methods for preventing the formation of acne on the surface of the cat's skin include the following:

using only metal bowls for feeding;
constant cleanliness of dishes for feeding the animal;
regular examination of the animal's chin for the appearance of new rashes;
exclusion of possible diseases;
wiping the animal's chin immediately after feeding;
If the cat has a predisposition to acne, the chin should be treated with disinfectant solutions after each meal of the animal.

What measures to take to prevent black dots from reappearing:

Feed your pet correctly, giving preference to only high-quality and approved products.
Do not give strong medications to the animal without a doctor's prescription.
Worm the pet once every 3 months.
Monitor the work of the cat's immune system, periodically giving the pet vitamins.
If any disruptions in the work of the gastrointestinal tract occur, contact your veterinarian and do not delay treatment.
Try to protect the animal from stress.
If the animal is often outside, then it is recommended to bathe it once a month, and you should also regularly wipe its paws.
Check the cat for fleas once a week. To do this, spread the fur in the area of the withers, abdomen and hips. If larvae are found, be sure to choose them or use special means.
If a cat always has food residues on the chin after eating, it is recommended to wipe this area with wet wipes without alcohol and harmful fragrances.

The appearance of black dots in pets does not affect their general well-being, if the provoking factor is harmless. However, the onset of acne can often be accompanied by discomfort. For this reason, it is recommended to start treatment as soon as a problem is discovered. Preventive measures will help prevent the reappearance of pathology.

Toxocariasis

Features of the

Feline Toxocara is more likely to affect kittens under three months of age. In adult animals, the larvae of the worm are encapsulated and do not develop until puberty. The owner may notice in the feces of the kitten thin long white worms ranging in size from 6 to 10 cm. This type of helminth belongs to nematodes. Outwardly, the parasite resembles a filamentous formation with a pointed end.

The infection can be transmitted from mother to fetus, in which case kittens are born already infected. Reservoir hosts (capable of transmitting infection) can be various animals (for example, rodents) and insects, including earthworms and flies. The kitten becomes infected through contaminated objects, after swallowing insects, eating raw meat or rodent carcasses.

How to avoid cat acne

The following measures can help prevent acne:

cat health control, preventive examinations of a veterinarian;
observance of hygiene measures: cat food only clean bowls made of ceramic, stainless steel or glass;
rubbing the face of brachycephalic cats after eating;
regular bathing of sphinxes;
regular monitoring of the cleanliness of the cat bed, cat house;

balanced feeding of the cat;

regular treatments for external parasites.

At the heart of the appearance of acne in cats is an increase in sebum secretion and a violation of keratinization processes, which leads to the appearance of comedones, and the addition of microbial inflammation leads to the development of folliculitis.With the further development of inflammation, it is possible to develop foci of purulent infection that require surgical intervention.

What are blackheads in cats and how are they dangerous?

For small puppies, flea bites are much more dangerous than for matured adult dogs. The immune system has not yet been formed in babies and the causative agents of various infections in percentage terms are much higher and more dangerous.

Flea saliva enzymes can cause a severe allergic reaction in a puppy and subsequent infection with worms.

Due to the helminthic invasion, the puppies' stool is disturbed, the coat grows dull, the eyes are watery, and the body may be depleted.

The treatment of a puppy in no case should be postponed, because untimely treatment can form anemia in an organism that has not yet matured, with subsequent disastrous consequences.

Infected with fleas, the puppy can be from the mother or during the first walks down the street.

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Vlasoyedov belong to the order of chewing lice, which, unlike lice or fleas, have rather elongated and dense bodies. They multiply on an animal very quickly - in one clutch, hundreds or more eggs are formed, which adhere very tenaciously to the base of the wool. Vlaseoids need conditions:

Warmth and dampness.
Burrow deeper into the fur of the animal and do not leave it.
Nutrition - the worse the animal is groomed, hungry, the more aggressive the eaters feed on its wool.

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Therefore, theoretically, such creatures can live in the scalp or head of a person. Considering that some people can have very thick hair and often sweat their head, if, for example, do not take off their headgear for a long time. Otherwise, the louse simply dies on the human body from dry skin and cold.

Blackheads (acne) are clogged sebaceous glands. The characteristic dark head occurs when sebum is oxidized. The appearance of such symptoms in an animal may indicate disturbances in the functioning of the body, the presence of parasites. Such a problem cannot be ignored.

Blackheads can provoke the onset of furunculosis, which is characterized by a purulent process that occurs in the inflamed sebaceous gland. This condition is dangerous for the pet's health and can contribute to the spread of infection. Outdoor pets are most susceptible to acne, but comedones can also occur in domestic cats.

Blackheads in cats are caused by a blockage of the sebaceous glands.

Malfunctions in the work of the sebaceous glands appear in quite healthy pets. If the cat likes to play outside, then a small amount of dirt gets into the mouth and, mixing with sebum, clogs the duct. Most often, comedones are localized precisely on the chin.

About parasites

Helminthic invasion is considered a disease, since the life of tenants is accompanied by the discharge of their waste. Worms are not immortal, they live, lay eggs, die and decompose, which also leads to intoxication. Ignoring the problem leads to the fact that the cat's body is constantly poisoned from the inside.

Most urgent visits to the doctor are due to the fact that small white worms were found in the pet's feces. Some owners cannot correctly describe what they saw, because they found not larvae or worms, but fragments of the latter. With a strong infestation, parasites fight for food and the weak die of hunger. Since the entire space is occupied, their corpses are pushed out of the intestines in a semi-decomposed form. Fragments of worms do not move and come out with a small amount of mucus.

White worms that actively move and crawl through feces are cestodes. These parasites have a flat body, powerful mouthpieces, and hooks to cling to the intestines.If such an adapted worm was pushed out of its habitat, option two is not an adult worm or the invasion is simply catastrophic. White flatworms reproduce in a very original way, a fragment that can crawl is separated from their body. This cradle, together with the brainchild, goes out and is looking for a new owner.

How to distinguish acne from other pathologies

It is important to be able to distinguish blackheads from the waste products of blood-sucking parasites and their larvae, as well as from caked blood droplets that could appear as a result of skin injury. Differentiating one state from another is quite simple. It is necessary to carefully try to detach the black lump. If it easily comes off the skin and at the same time has a dark brown color, then it is caked blood.

Clotted blood on the chin of a cat looks like an inflammation of the sebaceous glands.

It is important to inspect the surface for scratches and minor wounds. If the black point has separated from the skin, but has a dense consistency and is difficult to pressure, then most likely these are the waste products of ticks or fleas. Less commonly, these can be the larvae of blood-sucking parasites. Acne is indicated by the inability to separate the blackhead from the skin. Moreover, it is, as it were, soldered into the mouth of the sebaceous gland.

Cat flea larvae can be confused with black dots.