Discoloration on the bridge of my cat's nose

mandapanda4a

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I recently noticed some discoloration of the fur on the bridge of my cat's nose. It gets lighter, but it never completely goes away. I'm not sure if he's licking his nose excessively or what could be causing this. I haven't noticed any abnormal cleaning behavior from him. It typically shows up as brown in the morning, and then it fades. Has anyone else experienced this? I'm probably overreacting, but it looks dirty and unhealthy at times, so it worries me.
 
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Mamanyt1953

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I have a feeling that your cat is poking his nose somewhere it doesn't belong, very literally,.  It could, however, be an allergic reaction to something.  If it is ONLY on his nose, it could be some kind of contact dermatitis.  Is the skin under the fur normal looking?
 
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mandapanda4a

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It looks normal to me. There is no redness. I've tried wiping it with a wet cloth, but nothing comes off. And it does fade or he licks it off on his own, maybe. It has been there on and off for a week now.
 

Mamanyt1953

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Then I'm betting he's getting into something or another, and it could be a problem, depending on what it actually is,  Is he indoor only, or in and out?  How odd...It seems as if he is literally sticking his nose into something that has something oily on the edge of it.
 

tabbytom

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Is it due to pigmentation? If there is such a thing in cats.
Does it look moist and smells or sore to touch? Or has the spot been irritating your cat. If it worries you, bring in to the vet to have a check.
 
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mandapanda4a

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I decided to bring him to the vet the other day because I wasn't sure what could be causing this. She said it does not look like anything bad. She asked if he stuck his nose in his food. He does, but he only gets wet food for dinner and this is usually worse in the morning. She gave me wipes to see if that would help, but they smell very strong so he cowers and backs away. I tried wiping it with a wet paper towel and even rubbing it with my thumb a little to see if anything comes off, and it doesn't seem to be hurting him, but it just won't go away! I'm confused. He is indoor only. I've tried looking around the apartment for places he is sticking his nose. It could be random darkening of his nose since he is young and pigments could change, but I don't know.
 

tabbytom

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Any fur left on it? Is it spreading? I'm not sure too, that's why I ask. If no fur and just bare skin and dry and no itch and no smell, I'm baffled. Sorry, I'm not helping any bit here. Just curious that's why I ask such questions :think:
 
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mandapanda4a

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There is fur on his nose, and it's not spreading to anywhere else on his body. It seems to be worse on the weekends? Maybe I just notice it more since I'm home? It's very confusing. I suppose it's nothing to panic about, but I wish I knew what it was.
 

tabbytom

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Worse only on weekends? :scratch:
Maybe you are over concious but since the vet says it's nothing so it may just pass in time?
 
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mandapanda4a

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It doesn't seem to be clearing up. If it's just food like the vet says, why won't it wipe off with a wet paper towel?
 

pushylady

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It looks to me more like pigmentation underneath the fur, rather than dirty fur. As you said if it was on the fur then you should be able to wipe it off. My cats has a pigmentation spot and we just generally keep an eye on it to notice if it ever changes. Otherwise the vet said it's perfectly normal for cats to have this.
 

gypsyish

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My cat gets similar marks when he licks his nose or when we go to the vet and he bangs his head against the crate :( it seems to me it is just the fur coming out.


But I was nervous about it too.

(I have since created an elaborate system of a towel sewn into the crate to try and prevent it). The things we do.
 

raina21

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It looks a bit like feline acne to me.
 
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maffy118

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My cat has the exact same marks, which came after the ringworm infection on her ears cleared up. I took her to the vet to check up on something else and asked him about this, and he said it was nothing to worry about. It seems when one mark clears up, another appears. Please let me know if you get any answers! Thanks. Pic attached.
 

bananamillie

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Hi!
Did any of you figure out what was the reason for the fur discoloration?
My cat has something similar and the vet is completely stumped as to what might be causing it. Taking her to specialist in a couple of days, but wondering if anyone had any thoughts?

Some more detail - it started out as a scab on the tip of her nose that eventually fell off and completely healed. However, within a day a couple of discoloration spots showed up, but this time on the furry parts of her nose. We've been using the anti microbial wipes that the vet gave us along with diluted apple cider vinegar. Unfortunately that doesn't seem to be helping.
 

electra

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I think my cat has the same thing going on! Vet was baffled, gave me wipes...nothing I've done helps.

Looks a bit fainter but I *think* maybe some fur has come off (hence the fainter color, or less spots)? Also nose is always wet. Eyes have a little gunk in them. I wish I knew if it were causing him discomfort, or what it is exactly.

Did you find out anything more? Thanks!!!!!!
 

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fionasmom

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Most of the members who posted in this thread have not been back for a while, so may not respond.
 

Nmunoz01

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My cat has the exact same marks, which came after the ringworm infection on her ears cleared up. I took her to the vet to check up on something else and asked him about this, and he said it was nothing to worry about. It seems when one mark clears up, another appears. Please let me know if you get any answers! Thanks. Pic attached.
FYI To anyone coming here looking for answers (like me), since nobody else posted a follow up I will. Went to the vet today and the patch on our kitty is a bacterial infection. Her little spot above her nose (on the bridge of her nose) looks very similar to many of these posted above. It was also connected to a little bit of excess tearing she was having. We were given antibacterial wipes for her nose and antibacterial eye drops.
 

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Kenzerdee

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Hello! I know I’m late to this thread but this has been the only place on the internet that had the same issue as me. My cats nose has continually gotten darker in the past 2 months and the vets can’t figure out what it is. They gave us antibacterial ointment which briefly lightened it a bit but I’ve been using it for 4 weeks now and her nose is still getting darker and spreading. Is there any other answers someone has figured out? As
 

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