Cat blackheads

[terestrife]

Is there any way to quickly remove blackheads from a cat? She doesn't have acne i just see the black bits. My vet just gave me shampoo and told me to squeeze out the blackheads. Which i found out is actually a bad thing.

I'm used a warm towel and coconut oil. And using a toothbrush to gently brush the area. Should i do this?

I don't see the blackheads coming out. I don't want to hurt her because she got a small wound scratching herself.

I don't see much advice online. Only for cat acne.

 

[luda macka]

If it's like black bits around the fur, close to the skin.. then that is cat acne. I don't know about squeezing them but yeah you usually have to regularly wash those with a shampoo given by the vet. If she has cat acne on her chin, then maybe look into food bowls made from non-porous surfaces like stainless steel and ceramic.

Good luck!

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

You can try wiping them with Stridex pads a couple times a day. I definitely would NOT try squeezing them. I realize your Vet suggested doing that, but think if they think that should be done, THEY should be the ones to do it.

 

[terestrife]

If it's like black bits around the fur, close to the skin.. then that is cat acne. I don't know about squeezing them but yeah you usually have to regularly wash those with a shampoo given by the vet. If she has cat acne on her chin, then maybe look into food bowls made from non-porous surfaces like stainless steel and ceramic.

Good luck!

Its around her neck. It was caused by a collar i used to use for her. Something about it caused her to get the blackheads.

I'll keep trying the shampoo they gave me. It did clear up the rest of the blackheads.

You can try wiping them with Stridex pads a couple times a day. I definitely would NOT try squeezing them. I realize your Vet suggested doing that, but think if they think that should be done, THEY should be the ones to do it.

I won't squeeze them any more. I'll look into the stridex pads. Thank you!

 

[maggie101]

I was curious today since I'm not working so I googled it is rare but cats can actually get melanoma like humans. So continue cleaning. My vet gave me special wipes only can get from him when she had acne from her ceramic bowl. That got rid of it. If it doesn't get better seeing someone else is an option. don't squeeze

 

[terestrife]

I was curious today since I'm not working so I googled it is rare but cats can actually get melanoma like humans. So continue cleaning. My vet gave me special wipes only can get from him when she had acne from her ceramic bowl. That got rid of it. If it doesn't get better seeing someone else is an option. don't squeeze

Read your message on the middle of the night and it freaked me out. I might keep trying the shampoo from the vet because it cleared up the rest of the blackheads. Just have to Google how often i can use it. I don't think i used it often enough for all of it to be cleared. I would use it occasionally only.

 

[maggie101]

Read your message on the middle of the night and it freaked me out. I might keep trying the shampoo from the vet because it cleared up the rest of the blackheads. Just have to Google how often i can use it. I don't think i used it often enough for all of it to be cleared. I would use it occasionally only.

It is very rare. Black heads are not the same as acne she had . Make sure you only use the shampoo as prescribed. So no Need to freak out unless it gets worse. I wonder if only doing it once was enough. Feel any different?

 

[terestrife]

Just wanted to post an update. The inflammation has gone down significantly. She even has some hair coming in! I didn't think it would work because the skin looked so bumpy. I thought i would have to take her to a pet dermatologist.

The blackheads have started to come out and fur coming in. Still not completely gone but I think it will be with consistency. Thanks everyone!

 

[luda macka]

Yaaay, that's great news!! I'm so happy for you!

 

[terestrife]

Update: i can't seem to get rid of the blackheads from the spot that got irritated from her scratching. The rest of the area my treatment is working. I use warm water once a day. Coconut oil for two days and on the third day her shampoo(from the vet) in the mornings i use Pet MD Chlorhexidine Antiseptic Wipes. And spray some vetericyn. I use a toothbrush with the coconut oil and shampoo. Only gently to dislodge the blackheads that are loose already.

Is there anything else i can do to speed up the progress? My cat is starting to get annoyed and hide from me. Lol

I attached pictures.

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

I'm wondering if stopping the Coconut Oil might help. Not sure what the instructions are with the medicated shampoo and the wipes, but I would use them as instructed, and possibly use the Vetricyn in between. Don't think the warm water alone is really necessary since you are using the wipes and the Vetricyn.

 

[terestrife]

I'm wondering if stopping the Coconut Oil might help. Not sure what the instructions are with the medicated shampoo and the wipes, but I would use them as instructed, and possibly use the Vetricyn in between. Don't think the warm water alone is really necessary since you are using the wipes and the Vetricyn.

I will try that, thank you!

 

[terestrife]

I didn't use the coconut oil yesterday and focused on wipes and spray. Last night a saw a few blackheads come out from the wounded area. Today she has some dried blood. Do you think the wipes might be too harsh or is it normal when healing from acne/ blackheads?

I want to clean the area better but i dont want to hurt her.

Parts of the bump look flatter today. But the area looks irritated. Not sure if i should just look for a dermatologist or if her wound is healing normally.

Update: i cleaned up the surrounding area with the spray and a comb. I think what I'm seeing is some of the deeper blackheads came out.

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

The spray should not cause any bleeding. The wipes shouldn't be used more than three times per day and aren't to be used on open wounds, which I can't tell if she has or not. The pictures from yesterday looked like just loss of fur, but the ones today could be a wound, hard to tell since it could also be because it's wet (I think). But the third pic today does look like there are a lot less of the blackheads. If it truly was dried blood this morning, then perhaps just keep it clean with the spray, and use the shampoo as directed by your Vet, no coconut oil so it can get exposed to the air to dry out, and see what happens

 

[terestrife]

Ok thank you! I sent my vet a picture just in case. She does have loss of fur but it was from the acne/ blackheads. She had scratched herself a week ago and the small wound caused a bump on her skin. The bump has been going down. I'm waiting to see what my vet says. A week ago he told me to keep the wound clean and use the Shampoo.

 

[mani]

Has the vet recommended a saline wash? Heat too will help bring them out. When I've dealt with blackheads in the past I've applied gauze or cotton wool soaked in very warm water and held on the area (be really careful that it's not too hot), and then I've washed the area with saline.. warm is good. Always check with your vet, though.

 

[terestrife]

Has the vet recommended a saline wash? Heat too will help bring them out. When I've dealt with blackheads in the past I've applied gauze or cotton wool soaked in very warm water and held on the area (be really careful that it's not too hot), and then I've washed the area with saline.. warm is good. Always check with your vet, though.

He only recommended the shampoo. Let me reach out and ask about the saline.

 

[terestrife]

Update: still trying to get rid of the blackheads. the bump has gone down considerably.

I am considering going to a pet derm. Does anyone know how they treat blackheads/acne? Elsa scratched herself and created a bump from scratching at her neck. I think its cause her nails werent trimmed. Im just nervous taking her to a new place.

 

[fionasmom]

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.

 

[Caspers Human]

I'm wondering if stopping the Coconut Oil might help

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.