So your friends think that you are crazy because you found a bump resembling a pimple on your dog or cat’s chin or lips. The good news is that before you let your friends convince you that you are in fact crazy, it is good to know that acne although it happens less frequently, can still occur in pets. Here is what you need to know.
Canine acne and your dog’s health
Before you start treating your dog for acne, you need to make sure that what he or she actually has is in fact acne. Sometimes bumps that resemble acne can actually be symptoms of other underlying illness or diseases such as ringworm, puppy strangles or demodicosis. To be on the safe side, make an appointment for your furry friend at the vet so that they can give you the proper methods for treatment and keep you informed.
Short coated dogs such as rottweilers, boxers and bulldogs are at an increased risk for developing acne. This condition usually occurs about 5 to 8 months of age when puberty begins. Most dogs however improve with age and the condition usually resolves itself after reaching one year of age. However its never a bad idea to have a vet check things out just to make sure that your dog is healthy and not experiencing more serious complications than what may appear.
- Hormones – Have been shown to play a role in the development of acne.
- Genetics – Some breeds tend to be at increased risk compared to other breeds.
- Trauma – Can lead to disruption in the hair follicles and leads to bacterial infections.
Treatment for canine acne usually involves the use of topical medications. Some topical medications are similar to those that people use to treat acne, however it is important to only use products recommended by your veterinarian, as a dog’s skin is thinner than a human beings and can be fatal if used incorrectly. The average product containing Benzoyl Peroxide for acne in humans contains 10% Benzoyl Peroxide, while that used to treat acne in dogs is a mere 5%.
Other treatment options may include washes containing Benzoyl Peroxide twice a week, topical antibiotics, topical steroids, systematic therapy, and antibiotic therapy. Talk to your veterinarian to see which treatment options will work best for your canine friend.
Feline acne and your cat’s health
It may seem crazy, but cats can develop acne. It doesn’t matter what the age or sex of the cat. There have been kittens that get it, females, males, and even elderly cats. It can happen to any feline regardless of age or any other factor. While cats with immune system issues or deficiencies may be more prone to acne, it can still occur in healthy cats as well. If you notice that your cat has lesions on his or her chin or lips it is best to get it looked at by a vet. Sometimes a secondary infection may become present. One way to tell if this is the case with your cat is to pay attention to if they seem to be itchy. That is usually a pretty good indication that there may be something else going on. Other typical signs of complications or underlying disease are swelling, itching, and discharge from the affected area. Topical therapy may be recommended by your vet to help treat feline acne.
- Clogged hair follicles – If hair follicles become clogged comedones will appear.
- Dirty chins – Cats don’t usually clean under their chins while grooming, making it more prone to gather bacteria.
- Existing allergies – Much like humans, an allergic reaction in cats can cause acne outbreaks to occur.
- Stress or change in environment – Also similar to humans, situations that cause a cat to feel stress or confused can cause acne to worsen. For example, moving to a new house, or changing to a different type of litter, can cause a cat stress.
Treatment of feline acne usually involves the use of topical medications such as a Benzoyl Peroxide based gel, shampoo, or ointment. However it is important to remember that a cat’s skin and body is different than that of a human’s so talk to your veterinarian about proper dosage amounts so that results do not end up being fatal. Never use human medications to treat your cat’s acne unless a veterinarian advises you to do so and says that it is safe. Sometimes mild anti-biotic soaps or oral medications administered through syringes are given to help treat acne in cats. An inexpensive home remedy that cat owners can try to discourage infection, reduce inflammation and promote healing is to gently soak the affected area with Epson salt and water once or twice daily. To apply the salt, use a folded cloth.
