Acne

Feline Acne is clinically significant and often becomes a chronic problem. Acne is common and can occur in cats of all ages. Although Canine Acne is fairly common in young (3 to 12 months of age), short –coated breeds, the disease presents few problems clinically. As dogs mature, lesions spontaneously heal.

Clinical Signs:

·        Owners may report seeing “dark spots” on the chin.

·        Asymptomatic comedones (blackheads) form on the chin, the lower lip, and occasionally, the upper lip.

·        Papules and pustules and, rarely boils and cellulites (inflammation of the connective tissue underlying the skin) may develop if lesions become secondarily infected.

·        In severe cases, affected skin may become swollen and painful to the touch, thickened, cystic, or scarred. 

Treatment:

·        Hairs around lesions should be clipped, warm water compresses applied, and affected areas cleansed with human acne pads, or with benzoyl peroxide, sulfur-salicylic acid or ethyl lactate containing shampoo until lesions resolve, then as needed for maintenance control.

·        Health Guard Hand Cream found very effective against feline and canine acne. Any secondary bacterial infection should be treated with appropriate system antibiotics.