Chin Acne: What I've learned

RachandNito · 12-18-2011, 04:56 AM

Hey everyone. It's been several weeks since I've posted. I've been insanely busy with work, and dealing with a sick kitty on top of that. But I have good news...

Magneto finally seems to be on the mend. His liver values have returned to normal. His chin acne, which was so horrendously severe for so many weeks, finally seems to be on the road to improvement.

I discovered the cause of his chin acne. Pay attention everyone!

It was the petmate drinking fountain that was the cause of it. For a while I considered it, but I didn't want it to be true because all the cats love it so much. But after eliminating ALL plastic food serving dishes in the house, with no improvement, I had to start thinking of different possibilities. Then when Binx came down with bad chin acne (which no one noticed for a while because of his dark coloration) I knew that there had to be a common denominator.

I removed the fountain last week, and since then there has been drastic improvement. Despite how much I cleaned it, it seems that the plastic fountain still harbored bacteria and was preventing Magneto's chin was healing. Watching him drink, I can see now how he rests his chin on the edge of whatever dish he's using.

So let this serve as an example to people buying these fountains! Just be careful... most cats have no issue, but some of them can!

In other news... Magneto has also finally gained weight. He's gained over a pound in the past month and is almost back to his normal weight of 10 lbs!

**marie73** · 12-18-2011, 05:02 AM

Good news all around, Rachel!!

princessbear · 12-18-2011, 07:37 AM

I had a problem with my Princess (RIP baby girl) developing chin acne and it was from the ceramic bowls - my vet said ceramic and plastic are usually the culprits with chin acne. I switched to all glass and she was fine. Mimi has glass bowls to eat from and stainless steel for her water - no problems there. Have you tried the stainless steel drinking fountains? Just a thought if your cats love to drink from the fountain.

Penny135 · 12-18-2011, 07:57 AM

That is great that you found the solution to the problem.

Meezer_lover · 12-18-2011, 09:10 AM

Wow. That is great news and thanks for sharing the cause.

Quote:

Originally Posted by princessbear

I had a problem with my Princess (RIP baby girl) developing chin acne and it was from the ceramic bowls - my vet said ceramic and plastic are usually the culprits with chin acne. I switched to all glass and she was fine. Mimi has glass bowls to eat from and stainless steel for her water - no problems there. Have you tried the stainless steel drinking fountains? Just a thought if your cats love to drink from the fountain.

I thought ceramic bowls were okay? I thought it was just plastic that had issues with lingering bacteria......

kittywitty · 12-18-2011, 10:11 AM

My cat Oreo also had a bad case of chin acne. But since eliminating the dry food and giving her only canned, she rarely drinks from the fountain anymore and no more acne! Didn't know about that ceramic can also cause acne. You learn something new every day!

RachandNito · 12-18-2011, 10:46 AM

I have researched the stainless steal and ceramic fountains and found reports of reactions just because they still run with some plastic parts. I think my fountain days are over. I am using a stainless steel bowl and I diverted some air from the nearby aquarium pump with a bit of tubing so it makes nice little bubbles in the bowl. I feed lots of canned food in my cat's diets but luckily they all seem to love fresh water no matter where it comes from. I was filling that fountain at least once or twice a day anyways so switching to the new system won't be a problem

princessbear · 12-18-2011, 11:49 AM

The vet that mentioned the ceramic bowls as a cause indicated that it wasn't from bacteria but can be caused from cheaper ceramic bowls leaking dye from the paint causing a reaction. The plastic issues are from bacteria I am told.

furryfriends251 · 12-18-2011, 01:07 PM

There are actually some stainless steel drinking fountains:

Amazon.com: Drinkwell 360 Pet Fountain, Stainless Steel: Pet Supplies

Rain Drop Stainless Steel Pet Drinking Fountain,smartcat fountain, pet water fountain, cat fountain, dog fountain, water feeder for pets,automatic

RachandNito · 12-18-2011, 04:16 PM

I've read about that one too, but all have plastic parts somewhere when it comes down to it... at the very least the motor. I think I'm just gonna stay away for now.

12-18-2011, 04:56 AM	#1 (permalink)
RachandNito Cat Addict Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,611	Chin Acne: What I've learned Hey everyone. It's been several weeks since I've posted. I've been insanely busy with work, and dealing with a sick kitty on top of that. But I have good news... Magneto finally seems to be on the mend. His liver values have returned to normal. His chin acne, which was so horrendously severe for so many weeks, finally seems to be on the road to improvement. I discovered the cause of his chin acne. Pay attention everyone! It was the petmate drinking fountain that was the cause of it. For a while I considered it, but I didn't want it to be true because all the cats love it so much. But after eliminating ALL plastic food serving dishes in the house, with no improvement, I had to start thinking of different possibilities. Then when Binx came down with bad chin acne (which no one noticed for a while because of his dark coloration) I knew that there had to be a common denominator. I removed the fountain last week, and since then there has been drastic improvement. Despite how much I cleaned it, it seems that the plastic fountain still harbored bacteria and was preventing Magneto's chin was healing. Watching him drink, I can see now how he rests his chin on the edge of whatever dish he's using. So let this serve as an example to people buying these fountains! Just be careful... most cats have no issue, but some of them can! In other news... Magneto has also finally gained weight. He's gained over a pound in the past month and is almost back to his normal weight of 10 lbs! __________________ Rachel and... & the rest of the furry family: Elfie, Rusty, Rico, Thackery Binx, Tory, & Kovie Certified Veterinary Emergency Technician

12-18-2011, 05:02 AM	#2 (permalink)
marie73 Super Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 27,447	Good news all around, Rachel!! __________________ Marie, and Always in my heart, my lovely Cinderella, running free at the Bridge. http://www.catforum.com/forum/member...signature2.jpg

12-18-2011, 10:11 AM	#6 (permalink)
kittywitty Cool Cat Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 1,209	My cat Oreo also had a bad case of chin acne. But since eliminating the dry food and giving her only canned, she rarely drinks from the fountain anymore and no more acne! Didn't know about that ceramic can also cause acne. You learn something new every day! __________________ http://www.facebook.com/pages/Little...27943697255255 http://www.facebook.com/pages/Oreo-K...38775266209906

12-18-2011, 10:46 AM	#7 (permalink)
RachandNito Cat Addict Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,611	I have researched the stainless steal and ceramic fountains and found reports of reactions just because they still run with some plastic parts. I think my fountain days are over. I am using a stainless steel bowl and I diverted some air from the nearby aquarium pump with a bit of tubing so it makes nice little bubbles in the bowl. I feed lots of canned food in my cat's diets but luckily they all seem to love fresh water no matter where it comes from. I was filling that fountain at least once or twice a day anyways so switching to the new system won't be a problem __________________ Rachel and... & the rest of the furry family: Elfie, Rusty, Rico, Thackery Binx, Tory, & Kovie Certified Veterinary Emergency Technician

12-18-2011, 01:07 PM	#9 (permalink)
furryfriends251 Cool Cat Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 937	There are actually some stainless steel drinking fountains: Amazon.com: Drinkwell 360 Pet Fountain, Stainless Steel: Pet Supplies Amazon.com: Drinkwell 360 Pet Fountain, Stainless Steel: Pet Supplies Rain Drop Stainless Steel Pet Drinking Fountain,smartcat fountain, pet water fountain, cat fountain, dog fountain, water feeder for pets,automatic

12-18-2011, 07:37 AM	#3 (permalink)
princessbear Tom Cat Join Date: May 2011 Location: Hudson, Massachusetts Posts: 341	I had a problem with my Princess (RIP baby girl) developing chin acne and it was from the ceramic bowls - my vet said ceramic and plastic are usually the culprits with chin acne. I switched to all glass and she was fine. Mimi has glass bowls to eat from and stainless steel for her water - no problems there. Have you tried the stainless steel drinking fountains? Just a thought if your cats love to drink from the fountain.

12-18-2011, 07:57 AM	#4 (permalink)
Penny135 Tom Cat Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 471	That is great that you found the solution to the problem.

12-18-2011, 11:49 AM	#8 (permalink)
princessbear Tom Cat Join Date: May 2011 Location: Hudson, Massachusetts Posts: 341	The vet that mentioned the ceramic bowls as a cause indicated that it wasn't from bacteria but can be caused from cheaper ceramic bowls leaking dye from the paint causing a reaction. The plastic issues are from bacteria I am told.

12-18-2011, 04:16 PM	#10 (permalink)
RachandNito Cat Addict Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,611	I've read about that one too, but all have plastic parts somewhere when it comes down to it... at the very least the motor. I think I'm just gonna stay away for now. __________________ Rachel and... & the rest of the furry family: Elfie, Rusty, Rico, Thackery Binx, Tory, & Kovie Certified Veterinary Emergency Technician

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