My sister has a female domestic short hair cat about two years old. She has a history of feline acne under her chin and a brown, crusty substance that forms in her ears. She has been treated with a steroid, Zymox, and Tresaderm for her ears. Ozonal olive oil, witch hazel, and an antiseptic wash have been used on the cat's acne with no success. Homeopathic liver allergy and anti-itch meds have also been used. There is no plastic in her food or water dishes. The area under her chin has enlarged and now includes part of her neck. In addition, the cat has licked the hair from the area under the base of her tail. She continues to scratch both her neck and around her ears. Does anyone have any experience with issues like this with a cat? She was a rescue from a no-kill shelter. Any ideas or suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Could food allergies be a source of the problem?

Yes, I would absolutely consider allergies as a possible cause. Not just foods but also environmental allergies.

I would assume you've ruled out fleas. Had a cat with this and it was gross. Bald skin, moist, crusty.. yuck.

Did the cat come from a shelter or kennel? We had a cat that developed similar symptoms plus a problem with what looked like athletes' foot on her paws. Turns out there's a fungus and bacterial condition that develops from unclean kennels. Our cat was a shelter cat. A strong antibiotic and antiviral was administered and it cleared up. Sorry, can't remember the vet name for the condition, perhaps Dr. Doug can help with that. Another possibility is an allergic reaction to flea bites. Had a cat with that too.

Thanks for the responses. The cat was adopted as a kitten from a shelter. She has never had fleas and is a strictly indoor cat. She had feline acne as a kitten, but it is now much worse. Her ears appear to have some type of infection (cat shakes her head and scratches) and the tissue looks somewhat inflamed. She has been tested for ear mites. The area underneath the base of her tail is about an inch where she has licked the hair away - this is a recent occurrence. Her vet has declined to do blood work, saying it was not necessary. The cat's coat looks healthy and her eyes are clear with no discharge. She has no cough and her appetite is good. This cat is very dear to my sister and she is at her wit's end trying to find relief for the cat. Any thoughts are appreciated. Dr. Doug, any experience with these conditions?

I would try changing food to see if it's a food allergy. Have you tried an antibiotic cream topically on the spots. Our small dog gets hotspots and the hair comes out. If I clean the area and then put neosporin on it, it heals right away. If I don't use an antibiotic, she keeps licking and licking and then it gets crusty and bleeds, no hair etc. I'd sure give it a try on any of her spots, even the feline acne area.

Cat with Skin Issues and Hair Loss | Good Sam Community

15 Replies

doxiemom11
Explorer II
Jul 15, 2016
I would try changing food to see if it's a food allergy. Have you tried an antibiotic cream topically on the spots. Our small dog gets hotspots and the hair comes out. If I clean the area and then put neosporin on it, it heals right away. If I don't use an antibiotic, she keeps licking and licking and then it gets crusty and bleeds, no hair etc. I'd sure give it a try on any of her spots, even the feline acne area.
crouseman41
Explorer
Jul 15, 2016
Thanks for the responses. The cat was adopted as a kitten from a shelter. She has never had fleas and is a strictly indoor cat. She had feline acne as a kitten, but it is now much worse. Her ears appear to have some type of infection (cat shakes her head and scratches) and the tissue looks somewhat inflamed. She has been tested for ear mites. The area underneath the base of her tail is about an inch where she has licked the hair away - this is a recent occurrence. Her vet has declined to do blood work, saying it was not necessary. The cat's coat looks healthy and her eyes are clear with no discharge. She has no cough and her appetite is good. This cat is very dear to my sister and she is at her wit's end trying to find relief for the cat. Any thoughts are appreciated. Dr. Doug, any experience with these conditions?
magnusfide
Explorer II
Jul 15, 2016
Did the cat come from a shelter or kennel? We had a cat that developed similar symptoms plus a problem with what looked like athletes' foot on her paws. Turns out there's a fungus and bacterial condition that develops from unclean kennels. Our cat was a shelter cat. A strong antibiotic and antiviral was administered and it cleared up. Sorry, can't remember the vet name for the condition, perhaps Dr. Doug can help with that. Another possibility is an allergic reaction to flea bites. Had a cat with that too.
2oldman
Explorer II
Jul 15, 2016
I would assume you've ruled out fleas. Had a cat with this and it was gross. Bald skin, moist, crusty.. yuck.
Pawz4me
Explorer
Jul 15, 2016
Yes, I would absolutely consider allergies as a possible cause. Not just foods but also environmental allergies.

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Cat with Skin Issues and Hair Loss

15 Replies

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