Can a cat get acne?

[auntyitaly]

My darling Steve (5, tabby) has a big spot on his chin.

I'm worried because I'm being treated for an abscess and think he may have 'caught' staph.

Do you think watching it for a couple of days and whizzing him vet-ward if it gets worse is the right policy? He is FIV so need to be a bit careful.

[steamedtreaclesponge]

Yes, they can get acne, funnily enough - I think just keeping an eye on it for the next couple of days sounds like exactly the right thing to do.

[auntyitaly]

Thanks so much - he is super-chirpy and springy, so I don't think he feels ill (just me being a neurotic mummy cat.) Can they catch staph tho? - He insists (lovingly) on kipping on my nightie...

[steamedtreaclesponge]

Hmm... don't know about staph I'm afraid. Maybe you could just give your vet a ring if you're still worried?

[IsItMeOr]

No idea about staph, but definitely yes on the acne. Our DCat gets nasty ones from time to time - they don't seem to bother her, despite the blood when they burst (sorry if TMI). Hers heal up by themselves in a few days.

Generally speaking it's pretty rare for infections to cross from one species to another (hence all the fuss about the piggy and bird flus and mad cow). But give your vet a call if you're still worried.

[IsItMeOr]

And if you have an abcess, you are well within your rights to be a slightly neurotic mummy cat .

We had the vet visit once when we both had a bug and realised the cat had been off her food and really lethargic for a couple of days. She bucked right up once she realised the vet did house calls. Think she was probably just sulking because of lack of attention!