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Noticing red angry blemishes on our poochโs skin one day is
enough to make us anxious. But experts say there is no need to
worry. It is just an outbreak of canine acne.Acne can come in
many forms (pimples, white heads or black heads) and are
generally seen on the muzzle, chin or groin area. Like humans,
dogs too get acne in their adolescence! That is, when they are
less than a year old. They should clean up as our pups reach
adulthood, but they can recur due to a number of reasons.
Causes
No one knows why, but dogs with short coats are more likely to
have acne. Doggie pimples can be caused by hormonal changes,
trauma, allergies or hygiene issues.
Symptoms
Acne starts as small bumps under a blocked hair follicle. Pups
experience mild discomfort and start rubbing the spot against
surfaces. When bacteria infect this area, pus collects and a
pimple is formed. These tend to be rather itchy and release a
sticky liquid and pus when they burst. If our pup worries the
site too much, blood too starts to seep out.TreatmentThe first
step to an effective treatment is to consult our veterinarian to
rule out three other afflictions that in initial stages look
deceptively like acne:
- demodicosis, a type of mange,
- ringworm, a fungal infection, and
- folliculitis, a severe condition causing swollen throat and
fever in puppies.
Once acne is verified as the culprit, treatment can be started.
The fur around the area should be carefully clipped. The site
should always be kept clean using medicated shampoos or gels with
less than 5% benzoyl peroxide content. Human shampoos should
never be used on dogs as they are too harsh for our pupโs
delicate skin.Next, tea tree oil of 0.1 to 1% concentration
should be gently applied. The oilโs antiseptic properties keep
the skin safe from further infections. However, the oil is toxic
to our pets in higher concentrations.If the acne is severely
infected, our veterinarian would prescribe a course of
antibiotics. The vet may also recommend the use of topical creams
and ointments or a change in diet plan.In the rare circumstance
of the acne not responding to the treatment, swabs would be taken
from the area. A lab culture would identify the exact bacteria
causing the infection so that a more bacteria-specific antibiotic
can be given to our dogs.Prevention is better than cure. Once an
acne episode is over, we must ensure that it doesnโt recur.
Washing the acne prone areas with medicated shampoo for the next
one year would go a long way in keeping our beloved pets healthy
and happy.
What is Feline Acne and How to Treat It
If you notice tiny specks under your cat's chin that do not wash
away, perhaps your cat is suffering from feline acne or chin
acne, a condition affecting cats in several numbers. The
condition, characterized by red bumps on cats' chin, may progress
to become oozing, painful and open sores if left without
treatment. If you have cat showing signs of acne, you shouldn't
delay in consulting a vet.
What causes feline
acne?
The exact cause of feline acne is unknown, but hyperactive
sebaceous glands and allergens are considered potential reasons
for feline acne. The sebaceous glands produce sebum, an oily
substance produced in your cat's chin. Some cats produce sebum in
large quantities, and cause dead skin cells to plug the chin's
hair follicles. The blocked hair follicles convert into
blackheads called comedones on the lips and chin, which are often
confused as dirt.The blackheads eventually become red, itchy
bumps, then pimples, and finally convert to abscesses at an
advanced stage, which rupture and bleed causing furunculosis. In
severe cases, swelling, hair loss and development of draining
tracks is common. Scratching amplifies the process and lead to
infections like cellulitis in advanced stages.However, some other
causes of feline acne are as follows:
- Reduced immunity
- Stress and trauma
- Food sensitivity
- Bacterial contamination
- Seborrheic dermatitis
Symptoms of feline acne
Symptoms of feline acne include the following:
- Blackheads or whiteheads
- Red Pimples
- Watery crusts on the lips and chin
- Itching and swelling in the chin
- Development of nodules and bleeding crusts, hair loss,
pustules, pain and severe redness.
Diagnosis of feline
acne
Diagnosis of feline acne begins with a thorough review of your
cat's medical history and physical examination. Vets usually use
visual examination of the chin to diagnose the issue. Such
examination rules out other issues such as fungal infection,
mange, feline leprosy, tumors and allergies, or other skin
imbalances. Your vet may also reckon upon certain procedures like
taking fungal culture, skin scraping to identify mites or fungi,
microscopic cell examinations, and biopsy, which is seldom
needed.
Treatment of feline
acne
Treatment options available for feline acne usually aim at
reducing sebum. However, the treatment greatly depends on the
severity of the condition. Feline acne of mild forms are treated
without strong medications. You only have to keep a watch on your
cat's chin to ensure that blackheads are not progressing towards
something more severe.You should never squeeze blackheads from
your cat's chin lest it become infected. You can use antibiotic
soaps, witch hazel, and Epsom or iodine salts to clean the area.
Severe cases of feline acne require gel or ointment containing
benzoyl peroxide or chlorhexidine, and topical glucocorticoids to
reduce inflammation.
