Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 12/19/2005

Question
My two cats recently began getting bumps on their chins that kind
of dry out, turn to scabs and come off leaving raw/red skin. Can
you tell me what's causing it, if I should be concerned and what I
should do about it? I don't remember ever seeing this on them
before although it's possible something like this has happened
before and simply never gotten so bad it's become this obvious.
The cats are roughly 13 and 8 years old, one gray, one black, both
domestic short hair muts. Thanks!

Answer
THIS IS CALLED CHIN ACNE.  THERE ARE MANY REASONS FOR IT INCLUDING MANGE MITES, BACTERIAL INFECTION, YEASTS, AND ALLERGIES.  SOMETIMES JUST FHANGING THE FOOD BOWL FROM PLASTIC TO CERAMIC CAN CURE IT.  CHECK WITH YOUR VET TO SEE IF THEY CAN DETERMINE THE CAUSE.