Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 1/30/2006

Question
I have a small black domestic shorthair female cat named Boo.  She's had a recurring dermatology issue on her lower lip.  She loses some hair on the upper part of her chin near the lip and lower part of the lower lip (not in her mouth), and sometimes there are small yellowish bumps with very minor swelling.  It always resolves itself and the skin goes back to normal within a couple of weeks or so.  It's normal sometimes for a month or more at a time, and then comes back.  She shows no discomfort, does not pick, lick or otherwise show any evidence that she even knows it's there.  It also does not appear to affect her anywhere else.  I'd take her to the vet but (1) she's a fairly disagreeable patient, and (2) she's a pathological groomer, so any topical treatment would be licked off almost as soon as I apply it.  Any ideas?  Any urgency in your mind such that I should take her in?  THANK YOU! --Ken

Answer
This could be "chin acne."  Some cats have infected hair follicles or yeasts.  Sometimes they get mange mites.  The first thing to do is if she is eating out of a plastic bowl, switch to stainless steel or ceramic.

If the cat needs to see the vet, ask for a tranquilizer to give about 1 hour prior to the drive to the vet.