ACK!!! Kitty Acne x FIVE!!! :(

[Uniqueviking]

Perhaps you could try spraying the cat tree with this solution (of course when the cats are not around):

Lightly Lavender Antibacterial Spray

* 1 cup water
* 20 drops pure essential oil of lavender

Pour the water into a spray bottle. Add the lavender essential oil and shake to blend. Spray on the surface and let set for at least 15 minutes, or don’t rinse at all.
Makes: 1 cup spray
Shelf Life: Indefinite

VERY IMPORTANT: Make sure the cats do NOT come in contact with the undiluted essential oil.


It's a natural remedy I often spray the kitchen counters with, because they babies always jump up there. I have never had any negative reaction (as in allergies or such) from the cats while using it.

New research is proving that the old folk recipes using herbs and essential oils to kill germs, such as those used by 14th century doctors during the Black Plague, were based on good science. Many essential oils, such as the oils of lavender and thyme, are more antiseptic than phenol, the industry standard. Research is also showing that antibacterial plant oils may not cause drug resistance as could be the case with common chemical disinfectants.

From www.care2.com

[jazzcat]

Sorry to hear 5 now have it.

I don't know if you saw my post before but I still think your cat tree can be salvaged with new carpeting. It's fairly easy to replace. I would definitely try before I bought a new one.

[aki]

Chuck gets acne on his chin once in a while, the vet didn't seem real concerned with it. He said it is part of his allergies. More of a irritant than anything. He said most time it will clear up on it's own. My dog gets them once in a while too. Poor things! I was told the acne was a teenager thing. Whatever! I am 30+ and still get them once in a while.

[catmandu]

Kelly,we are sorry,to haer about yoyr Cats,and hopefully,the White Coats,can make,that Acme,go away.

[NoahsMommy]

Well, while the cats didn't thoroughly enjoy "Spa Cotte", its going to be open every night until that acne is gone.

I bought some Nutragena non-scented facial soap and some benzoyl peroxide pads from the store last night.

Each kitty got a warm compress, soaped up, washed off, rubbed with a benzoyl peroxide pad, dried and then given Oxy Dex. I don't see how the acne can still be there after a few weeks of this, but we'll see.

Thanks for all your advice, guys! I'm going to try that lavendar spray...it sounds lovely!

Recarpeting the cat tree: I understand how to do the tall areas, but what about the cups they sit in (that's where they rest their chins)? We've had the tree since 12/02...with 8/9 cats, it might be best to retire it.

[catcrazylady]

GEEZ Kelly! Five at once!! I don't envy you treating that many but it sounds like you have it under control. A nightly kitty spa sounds like so much fun! NOT!!!

You know, I thought Magoo had it but it turned out his chin was messed up from over grooming. Since he has had his corizone shot his chin is clearing up. I'm sure that is not what is going with yours because you would notice all that itching and grooming. I guess the tree is a possibility because it sounds like there's nothing left. I'm just surprised it started all at once with so many. Hmmmm, this is perplexing for sure! I hope you figure out what it is and I'll be praying that everybody gets cleared up real soon.
Keep us posted!!

[shais_mom]

no advice just good wishes!!!

[jazzcat]

Originally posted by NoahsMommy
Recarpeting the cat tree: I understand how to do the tall areas, but what about the cups they sit in (that's where they rest their chins)? We've had the tree since 12/02...with 8/9 cats, it might be best to retire it.

Oh, my tree has curved perches that I can recover easily - of course my Dad made it so I covered it in the first place.
I guess I just have too much of my Dad in me, I can't stand to throw out things, LOL.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Kelly, I'm sorry to hear that now 5 of your furkids have kitty acne. When I first found out that Sunny had acne, I was also feeding my boys out of ceramic dishes. I then switched to stainless steel ones and Sunny's acne cleared up for a while.
Now I've learned to live with the fact that he'll always have an acne problem so I try to clean his chin every night or every other night with a hot compress and hibiclens. I also wash all of their stainless steel meal dishes twice a day and their drinking dishes once a day with hot water and antibacterial soap. I also run them in the dishwasher once a week.
I've never heard of acne spreading from one cat to the other but it does seem that white chinned cats get it the most often. It's probably because we can see the acne on them better than on non white chinned cats. Hopefully Sky won't get this because he'd be difficult for me to clean. Good luck and please keep us updated.