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View Full Version : LITTLE BLACK DOTS! kitty acne, parasite??? HELP.


Circe
06-29-2004, 11:19 AM
I have a male tabby that is a year old.

About 3 weeks ago I noticed that he had black residue (like little dots, they were almost hard and "crunchy"... if that makes sense) on his chin, lip, and on his testicles (these are THE ONLY places I've noticed anything wrong). If I gently scraped my finger nail on them I could scrape them off. They are not bugs, just tiny hard black things. There are no blisters, bumps, pus or anything, just black dots.

I did a bit a searching online and read up on kitty acne a bit. I learned that it is caused by too much testosterone in some male cats. The articles that I read mentioned that the condition can also cause whats called "stud tail".

After reading that I immediately checked my cats tail, and noticed that at the base of his tail, his hair is kind of waxy and stuck together. I lifted the waxy fur a bit and noticed that under his fur (only on the top of his tail near his rear end) that he seems to have a grey-brownish residue on his skin. He didn't like me messing with it at all, so I think whatever it is is hurting him.

I had tried to clean the area with peroxide every few days, and scheduled to have him neutered, and planned on having the vet check it out. (I was hoping if it were "stud tail" having him fixed would decrease the amount of testosterone, and it would go away). He really didn't like me messing with the area, and it didn't appear to bother him when it was left alone, so I stopped the peroxide and just waited for the vet visit.

I had to work the day of his appointment, and my boyfriend took him to be fixed. He forgot to mention the black dots, and tail issue to the vet.

He was fixed a little over week ago, and it seems as if the black dots on his chin and lip have gone away a bit, but are still there. He still has stitches on his testicles... so I cant really tell if the dots are still there. His tail is still waxy and looks the same as it did before being fixed.

I'm worried as to what this could be. He never licks his tail, and only acts like he notices it when I'm trying to look at it.
He hasn't had any hairloss, at all.
and these areas are the only places that I've noticed anything.

does anyone have any advice? Does it should like kitty acne?

I'd really hate to pass it off as something as simple as that only to find out it was something like mange. (I know its not fleas, and dosnt seem to be dirt)

Also, if it is acne, is there anything I can do to prevent it? (he eats out of a ceramic bowl that is kept VERY clean)

HELP!

'too crazy
06-29-2004, 05:54 PM
Sounds like kitty acne on the chin but I've never heard of it anywhere else. I had a siamese with kitty acne also. The vet was able to give me acne medicine. I think I would personally contact the vet again because of what's going on on his bottom end. There may be a different problem there like an infection or something that would warrent anti biotics. Better safe than sorry. Keep us updated!

Circe
06-30-2004, 12:14 AM
Thanks for you input.

Does anyone else have any idea???

krazy4birds
06-30-2004, 11:55 AM
I have no idea about the problem with under the tail but the spots you are describing to me sounds like where there were fleas. My cat had this about a year ago and it turned out to be the remains of where fleas have been and I had not actually seen a flea ever. I got some of that medicine that you put on the back between the shoulders and washed her bed and it all went away. I hope you find someone who knows about the tail problem and I also would talk to the vet about it. Good luck to you and let us know if you find out about the tail problem...I am very curious. I wonder why the vet did not notice this during his surgery????

Lano
06-30-2004, 12:42 PM
Good question krazy...

starr
06-30-2004, 12:56 PM
krazy is right, they sound like flea feces. flea poop is black and comes off easy. it looks like black dirt. check in between the shoulder blades , underarms and just above the tail. that is where fleas like to hide.

Circe
07-01-2004, 12:13 AM
He's an inside cat, I know that inside cats can get fleas, but I really dont think that is the problem).

He is on the drops.

and another thing that has puzzled me is the fact that his "brother" dosnt have any of these symptoms. (and they are VERY close)

as far as the tail issue, it not on the underside... its on top (it dosnt go all the way around the tail, just on the top, and its a space of about 4 inches long. It dosnt look like an infection, just an over abundance of this waxy residue stuff.)

I'm really thinking it has to do with his hormones. (stud tail is linked with kitty acne).

Guess I'll have to get the little snot to the vet. (I just hope I can pull that off soon... I'm moving and inbetween jobs... he's my baby tho, so I'll pull something off.)

I'm really interested in hearing from anyone who knows, or thinks that they know what could be wrong, and how I might be able to solve this, sooner than having to wait to get to a vet.)

Thanks to anyone who took the time to give me some input.

but I really doubt the fact that they are fleas.

krazy4birds
07-01-2004, 01:32 AM
I am very curious Circe about what the vet says. Please update us when you find out what it is. Good Luck!!

jubjubair
07-15-2004, 09:09 AM
Acne on a cat or kitten is ussually red.. It my be black heads all of wear you said.. The chin and lip... So don't let it get infected or it will become an acne sore.....

Tenkamenin
07-29-2004, 02:02 PM
Good afternoon all. :)

Circe: I hope you're still out there because I would love to hear what the vet concluded, if anything. The symptoms and signs do not appear to be coincidental. Good luck, in the interim, and please keep us informed.