Black spots on your cat chin?
Did you know that animals can get acne too? Feline chin acne is a relatively common condition, and it can be recognised by the presence of bumps, dirt, or black spots on their chin. This article will dive into the world of feline dermatology, focusing on the signs, causes and management of feline acne.
What is feline chin acne?
When there is too much keratin (the main hair component) in the pore, it can become trapped and stuck, leading to ‘blackhead’ formation. When bacteria also become trapped, it leads to pustules or pimple formation. Cats can experience a single flare up of chin acne, but in some unfortunate individuals it can be a chronic recurring issue which requires long term management and owner dedication.
What causes cat chin acne?
As described above, thinking about what chin acne actually is can help us to understand the underlying causes. The primary cause can vary between individuals. Some cats can produce too much sebum, which is a natural oil produced by the skin, and some cats have sebaceous glands in abundance. Having very oily skin makes chin acne more likely due to the sebum blocking or ‘plugging’ hair follicles. The keratin may also act as a foreign body, and cause infection, therefore making the problem worse.
Cats are sensitive creatures. They become stressed very easily, which can lead to many issues including behavioural problems, as excessive chin rubbing and skin flare ups. Being stressed can also lead to immunosuppression and weaker immune systems, which may also make cats more likely to develop chin acne. Other causes include allergies, viral or bacterial infections, stress, and – importantly –poor hygiene.
How is it diagnosed?
Cat chin acne is quite easy to identify and recognise. The clinical signs usually include black spots or pimples on or around the chin area. These spots can sometimes appear red and swollen, which then leads to secondary itchiness. Hair loss can also be a clinical sign of chin acne. As cat owners, you may notice that your cat is excessively itching or rubbing their chin on things. Your vet is likely to be able to confidently diagnose feline acne based on clinical signs and the appearance of the skin on your cat’s chin. However, they may suggest further diagnostics especially in those trickier cases to investigate further.
Are some cats predisposed to chin acne?
You may be wondering whether your cat is predisposed to cat chin acne. This condition does not mainly affect juveniles or adolescent, as in humans, , but it can affect cats of any age. There is currently no evidence to suggest that it is more common in male cats than in females. Specific brachycephalic breeds such as Persians and British Shorthairs may be more predisposed to feline acne due to their facial conformation and excess skin folds. Therefore, these cat breeds are more likely to require long term skin management.
Managing cat chin acne
Managing feline chin acne often requires a multi-modal approach, meaning that a range of management techniques are often beneficial to controlling this condition. In the vast majority of cases, topical management is prescribed.
Skin hygiene is of great importance in these cases and topical products such as DOUXO® S3 SEB, which is specifically targeted at animals with oily skin, are recommended. Crucially, for cases of chin acne, this product helps to reduce excess sebum and has a control action against oily seborrhoea. It is also great to help to prevent chin acne, and can be found in two forms, a shampoo, or a leave-on mousse. Another line from the same range, DOUXO® S3 PYO, is useful in treating current flare ups. This product helps to disinfect the skin and leave it free from the harmful bacteria. DOUXO® S3 PYO also comes in different forms including shampoo and wipes/pads.
In severe cases, systemic treatment with antibiotics and anti-inflammatories may be prescribed to get the condition under control. In such cases, and especially if your cat is extremely itchy, the initial priority is usually to stop them itching or rubbing, as this can only exacerbate the condition. In cases where stress is the likely underlying cause, taking their lifestyle to try to allow a more stress-free environment is recommended.
To conclude, prevention of any disease is better than cure. If your feline friend is a predisposed breed to chin acne, it is advised to contact your veterinarian for ways to manage them from very early on. There are a variety of management strategies and there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach. Your veterinarian will be able to guide you on which approach is most suitable for your cat.
We recommend DOUXO® S3 SEB and DOUXO® S3 PYO
