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Feline acne is a common skin condition however many cases are mild and often go unnoticed. More severe cases can be very obvious and unfortunately can be difficult to resolve.

Causes

Cats have two types of glands in their skin; sweat glands, and sebaceous glands. The sebaceous glands are responsible for producing an oily secretion called sebum which helps maintain healthy skin and fur. There are some areas on the cat’s body that have larger sized sebaceous glands namely the chin, the dorsal surface of the tail, the lips and also the eyelids, and the scrotum and prepuce in males. In some cats, the collection of these glands on the chin or the base of the tail can become over active. When this occurs on the chin it is called feline acne, and when it occurs on the tail base it is referred to as stud tail.

Symptoms

Signs of feline acne can include a greasiness of the fur which can be most obvious on lighter coloured fur. There may be black flecks which can easily be mistaken for flea dirt. More severe cases develop secondary bacterial infections and will have papules and pustules evident. Pain and swelling is often seen in these severe cases.

Signs of stud tail are very similar to chin acne except that it occurs on the base of the tail. Stud tail is most common in entire toms but occasionally can be seen in neutered males and females.

Diagnosis

A diagnosis is made by observation of classic lesions however further testing is recommended to diagnose the presence of secondary infections. Your vet may recommend skin cytology, skin scrapings and fungal cultures.

Treatment

Treatment is initially targeted at treating the secondary infections and may involve a combination of topical and systemic medications. Severe cases will often require prolonged courses of treatment and may benefit from the additaion of anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce swelling and discomfort.

Once the infection is resolving, a long term management plan will be recommended and may include:

• Regular daily cleaning of the area with anti-bacterial wipes/shampoo, especially after eating
• Topical antibiotic cream (mupirocin)
• Topical retinoids
• Use of ceramic rather than metal feeding bowls.

 Disclaimer: Please note that the information provided on this page does not replace the advice of your veterinarian. If you are concerned about your cat’s health in any way, we strongly recommend you seek veterinary advice.