Cat blackheads

danteshuman

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 27, 2017
Messages
5,030
Purraise
6,077
Location
California
Chlorhexdine wipes from chewy worked on my old man. That and switching to feeding the cats on paper plates. 🤷🏻‍♀️ He no longer has blackheads...... not sure if it was the plates but I read bacteria can grow in the plastic plates, so just in case.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #22

terestrife

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 23, 2012
Messages
2,412
Purraise
2,586
Yes! Stop using coconut oil!
Coconut oil is, basically, a form of fat.

Acne and blackheads are caused by blocked pores in the skin. Coconut oil will block the pores and make the acne worse.
It doesn't make sense to treat acne with fat.

Acne can be stubborn and it might take some time but, if you keep at it, the problem will go away.
Use the treatment your vet instructed you to use... Nothing more... Nothing less.

Assuming that your cat is otherwise healthy, she will get better on her own if you follow your vet's instructions.
That makes me feel better. The area has improved for sure.

I just don't know if i should take her in to my vet just in case.

I did stop the coconut oil and I'm following my vets instructions. When i emailed my vet they recommended bringing her since I've been treating her for a few weeks. I lost faith in my vet cause he recommended popping the blackheads myself. So i don't know if i should head to a derm or just keep waiting. It's been a few weeks.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #23

terestrife

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 23, 2012
Messages
2,412
Purraise
2,586
I have been to numerous specialists between the cats and the dog. Do your research for your area or ask for a referral from your current vet; however, usually a specialist can get to the root of the problem faster, even saving you money and extra trips to the vet.
That actually makes sense. Getting a referral from my vet now.
 

Caspers Human

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 23, 2016
Messages
2,693
Purraise
4,703
Location
Pennsylvania
Whether advisable or not, popping our own zits is one thing. Doing it on a cat is another. You'd be likely to get torn to ribbons!

If there's an underlying problem that's causing the acne, popping them won't do much good. You risk causing infection, anyhow.

I agree that going to a specialist would be the right thing to do. Just make sure that you ask in the right way.
Instead of saying, "I want you to refer us to a specialist," phrase it in the form of a question... "Do you think we need a specialist?"

Make it sound like it was his idea, in the first place. ;) ;) ;)
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #25

terestrife

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 23, 2012
Messages
2,412
Purraise
2,586
It takes months to see a pet derm and my vet can only see elsa until mid June. Her skin has improved but she still has blackheads. It's been a slow process. I can see the blackheads coming out every day. But there's still a bump from her itching. I had hoped the vet could give me something to speed up the process. Im going out of town during the end of June. I don't want her having itchy blackheads while I'm gone.
 

danteshuman

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 27, 2017
Messages
5,030
Purraise
6,077
Location
California
The wipes I mentioned helped.,,. They cleared up my cat’s mild case in a month. That and not feeding him wet food on plastic plates. It might at least make it a bit better until you see a kitty dermatologist.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #27

terestrife

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 23, 2012
Messages
2,412
Purraise
2,586
The wipes I mentioned helped.,,. They cleared up my cat’s mild case in a month. That and not feeding him wet food on plastic plates. It might at least make it a bit better until you see a kitty dermatologist.
I am using the wipes. I bought them after seeing your post. I've using the wipes and then a couple of times a week i use the shampoo from the vet. She is definitely better. I can see the blackheads coming out on their own. But it's still not completely healed. I still see blackheads under the bump.

These pics are before and after cleaning her with soap. I cleaned her and then more blackheads come out by the next day.
 

Attachments

danteshuman

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 27, 2017
Messages
5,030
Purraise
6,077
Location
California
That is a very extremely bad case of blackheads! Poor Salem just had a few small ones under his chin! I’m glad to hear the wipes help! Unless the shampoo has micro beads or is medicated, I’m not sure if they would be needed on top of using the wipes daily. Talk to your vet about it. In such an extreme case maybe the dermatologist can empty the blackheads or give you a better medication or help you figure out the cause of the blackheads! Though blackheads will fill up again.... so treating the cause so they shrink back to normal poor size, is the goal.

I had acne as a teen. Ironically I finally figured out how to stop getting pimples when I was 30! No amount of washing will stop pimples but for me witch hazel toner worked! I found out you are at war with microbes and bacteria in the skin. So if you think of it more along the lines of chemical war fare it might help you with your cat’s acne.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #29

terestrife

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 23, 2012
Messages
2,412
Purraise
2,586
That is a very extremely bad case of blackheads! Poor Salem just had a few small ones under his chin! I’m glad to hear the wipes help! Unless the shampoo has micro beads or is medicated, I’m not sure if they would be needed on top of using the wipes daily. Talk to your vet about it. In such an extreme case maybe the dermatologist can empty the blackheads or give you a better medication or help you figure out the cause of the blackheads! Though blackheads will fill up again.... so treating the cause so they shrink back to normal poor size, is the goal.

I had acne as a teen. Ironically I finally figured out how to stop getting pimples when I was 30! No amount of washing will stop pimples but for me witch hazel toner worked! I found out you are at war with microbes and bacteria in the skin. So if you think of it more along the lines of chemical war fare it might help you with your cat’s acne.
I have elsa on a waiting list to see a derm, no appointment until august. My vet cant see her until june 12.

im trying to figure out a way to stop her from scratching. shes alone most of the day so i dont want to put anything on her that needs supervision. Plus, she needs to be able to do use her litter box. i use a litter robot, so i dont know if she can get inside with a neck pillow.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #30

terestrife

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 23, 2012
Messages
2,412
Purraise
2,586
A cone won't let her fit into the litter robot. She has blackheads around her neck (on the area a collar would be. )

I read about a onesie but would that keep her from scratching her upper neck area?
 

silent meowlook

TCS Member
Staff Member
Forum Helper
Joined
Nov 10, 2014
Messages
3,414
Purraise
6,407
Hi. What kind of wipes are you using? Any collar will rub the area and make it worse. I would stop putting anything topical on it. It’s not working and may be making things worse. Ask your vet about systemic antibiotics and a food trial.
 

Furballsmom

Cat Devotee
Staff Member
Forum Helper
Joined
Jan 9, 2018
Messages
39,271
Purraise
53,931
Location
Colorado US
Robot or human?
What about something similar to this? I don't think a onesie would do much to stop scratching. Have you had a chance to talk with your vet about something you could apply to that area?
 

FeebysOwner

TCS Member
Staff Member
Forum Helper
Joined
Jun 13, 2018
Messages
22,442
Purraise
33,216
Location
Central FL (Born in OH)
Hi! I have to agree with Furballsmom Furballsmom about some sort of treatment. I also wonder how the cone - of any shape or size - would not impede the process of getting rid of the blackheads.

Any idea what is causing the blackheads, and how did the vet determine that is what the problem is? Just curious because that is mighty 'weird' spot for blackheads.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #34

terestrife

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 23, 2012
Messages
2,412
Purraise
2,586
Robot or human?
What about something similar to this? I don't think a onesie would do much to stop scratching. Have you had a chance to talk with your vet about something you could apply to that area?
I guess i can buy it and test it. Thank you!

No appointments until June 12.

Hi! I have to agree with Furballsmom Furballsmom about some sort of treatment. I also wonder how the cone - of any shape or size - would not impede the process of getting rid of the blackheads.

Any idea what is causing the blackheads, and how did the vet determine that is what the problem is? Just curious because that is mighty 'weird' spot for blackheads.
No appointments until mid June. I have her on waiting lists for 2 vet offices.

An old collar caused the blackheads. I've managed to get rid of some of the blackheads. But she irritated an area by overly scratching.
 

FeebysOwner

TCS Member
Staff Member
Forum Helper
Joined
Jun 13, 2018
Messages
22,442
Purraise
33,216
Location
Central FL (Born in OH)
An old collar caused the blackheads. I've managed to get rid of some of the blackheads. But she irritated an area by overly scratching. No appointments until mid June. I have her on waiting lists for 2 vet offices.
It might be worth it to try a home remedy in the meantime.
Buy chamomile tea bags - you can find them in most any grocery store and generally speaking those are Germain - you don't want English or any flavorings or additives. Brew a bag in water, cool the liquid to room temp and then apply it to the blackheads with cotton balls or a soft cloth - 2-3 times a day.

Chamomile tea, which is a soothing and healing agent, also has anti-bacterial/anti-fungal properties. It is safe for her to ingest should she do so. Not necessarily going to cure it - but it might give her some relief from the itching/scratching - and, maybe it will help get rid them - who knows!!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #37

terestrife

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 23, 2012
Messages
2,412
Purraise
2,586
Will a cone someone affect the skin healing? Since the spot im trying to heal is on the back of her neck wouldn't the collar be on that area?
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #38

terestrife

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 23, 2012
Messages
2,412
Purraise
2,586
They had a cancellation at my regular vet so I'm taking her tomorrow. I'm hoping they know what to do to help. They were the ones that suggested that i pop her blackheads. =/
 

FeebysOwner

TCS Member
Staff Member
Forum Helper
Joined
Jun 13, 2018
Messages
22,442
Purraise
33,216
Location
Central FL (Born in OH)
Will a cone someone affect the skin healing? Since the spot im trying to heal is on the back of her neck wouldn't the collar be on that area? ...They had a cancellation at my regular vet so I'm taking her tomorrow. I'm hoping they know what to do to help. They were the ones that suggested that i pop her blackheads. =/
IMO, anything that covers and or rubs the affected area would seem as if it would impede healing. Glad the vet had a cancellation - although, I sure hope it's a different vet than the one who recommended messing with those places (probably wasn't a vet at all), doesn't seem like a very good idea.

Let us know what happens!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #40

terestrife

TCS Member
Thread starter
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 23, 2012
Messages
2,412
Purraise
2,586
IMO, anything that covers and or rubs the affected area would seem as if it would impede healing. Glad the vet had a cancellation - although, I sure hope it's a different vet than the one who recommended messing with those places (probably wasn't a vet at all), doesn't seem like a very good idea.

Let us know what happens!
It's the same vet. He actually is normally a really great vet. Has 5 stars online. I'm hesitant to switch them because i love this vet place so much. They don't push unnecessary procedures. If possible that like cats treated holistically. The place is called silver bluff animal hospital in Miami.
 
Top