Conference misery::feline_v1

    Jane - I can't believe you wrote in about this!  Just this past
    week, Dana and I noticed "scabs" on Chauncey's throat, also 3 in
    all.  At first I thought they were ticks and panicked, but on closer
    inspection they were definitely scabs.  They have gotten smaller
    since we first noticed them (over the weekend).  I haven't seen
    any fleas (easy to spot on an all white cat) nor does he have these
    scabs on his chin, only his throat.  His overall behavior hasn't
    changed; he's eating well, alert, playing, etc.  My first thought
    was that when my cats play, they often bite each other on the neck
    area but in Billie's case, that wouldn't hold true since she's an
    only cat.
    
    This is really coincidental that you wrote in because it's been
    on my mind for the past few days.  I hope it's not an indication
    of the start of something serious.  If I don't notice a change by
    the weekend, a vet check is definitely in order.
    
    
    --Roberta
    

    Occasionally I find them on our four as well, asked my
    vet about them, and she said they sometimes scratch themselves
    while scratching themselves (confusing but it makes sense), hence
    the scabs.
    
    Check Billie's claws and see if it might be time for a trim.
    
    I find that if I keep their claws well trimmed, it doesn't
    seem to be a problem.
    
    Mary-Michael

    Are they really scabs or could they be feline acne, which can be
    caused by using a plastic feeding dish/bowl? Argus cleared up when
    I began feeding him on a flat stoneware plate.
    
    Deb

Feline acne can also be caused by a food allergy/reaction.
Have your cats been given any change in diet lately?  Do
they get tuna...tuna can cause acne if the cats eat a lot of it.

The scabs could also be a reaction to fleas, even though you 
don't find any fleas on the cats.  Get a flea comb at your 
pet store, and comb the cats every day to see if there are
really fleas.

Paul

    hmm.  another not_so_pleasant opinion is that it could
    be a fungus.  check all over your cat - spine, bottoms of
    feet, etc. for signs of missing hair or more scabs.
    Stainless steel feeding pans, bowls , or dishes work
    well also - easy cleanup, nonbreakable!!  My only
    experience with feline acne was located directly
    on the chin area - not on the neck itself.  These
    scabs could also be from bug bites - cats seem to
    be fair game for anything that walks, flies or crawls -
    especially since the kitty is out to get the bug/fly -
    and in return the fly or bug 'gets the kitty and BITES' !!
    
    E.T.

    Whew!!
    
    This all makes me feel better!  I guess it's just one of those things,
    but probably it's nails most of all.  Billie doesn't enjoy having her
    nails trimmed, but we manage to do them once or twice each month. 
    Maybe I should do it more often.  (Don't tell me I have to start giving
    Billie manicures when *I* can't afford them for ME!!)
    
    I switched to stoneware bowls for her about 2 years ago after reading
    (in this file) about feline acne.  I never would have known if not for
    FELINES!
    
    Thanks everyone for your help and advice--we both appreciate it!
    
    Jane and Billie

    Anyone know why plastic causes feline acne?  Mao & Bumpy both have
    it.  I recently changed water dishes - but from one plastic one
    to another plastic one.  I also recently changed to PERFORM cat
    food.  They seem to get it on and off and after a bit it usually
    clears up and goes away.  'course I wouldn't want Dundee to get
    it cause he's got to look his best for the shows.  :-)
      Nancy DC
    

    Could my cat, Chewy, refuse to drink water from her bowl be because
    it is plastic?   She will only drink from a glass filled with water
    in the kitchen sink.  I have read some cats in here only drink from
    running water, etc so maybe she is just weird.  I am wondering if
    she would drink from a ceramic or glass bowl?
    
    Pam

    re: .8 - I think Chewy just likes fresh water - one of my Siamese is
    the same way.  We have to cover our glasses of ice water - no matter
    what they're in - paper cups, plastic or glass.  He also loves to lick
    the faucet if you turn it on very slowly.

    RE: .7
    
    When a cat (that sits down while eating) eats from a blastic bowl, the
    cat will most likely rest his/her chin on the bowl. The cat will sweat,
    but any grease that might be on the bowl will also rub off onto the
    cat's chin. You then have the start of a black head.
    
    Deb

    I don't think it is a matter of clean water with Chewy.   She will
    drink dirty old water from a glass in the sink that has been soaking,
    before she will drink the fresh clean water in her bowl.  I have
    been purposely leaving a clean glass with fresh water in the sink
    for her because I don't want her to drink dirty water.  
    
    Pam

    A good 'cure' for acne is to scrub the chin area with betadine
    solution - sure clears it up quickly!
    
    E.T.

    Or the vet can prescribe panalog in extreme cases of feline acne.
    I think that is what finally worked for Jan's cat Amelia.
    
    We have also used Phisoderm on our pimply cats.
    
    Jo

According to my vet:

Cats will often refuse to drink their water because they want their water
away from their food.  In many cases, the cat seems to be operting on
primitive instinct to find water "away from the den area" and therefore,
clean.  Water than is near the feeding place or litter box is not acceptable.
Hannah, my lynx-point, also refused to use the "family" watering place..

I solved the problem with Hannah by moving a dish (not plastic which can
leave a film of oil on the water - making it "not clean") to my bathroom
counter.  I refill it several times a day when I think about it and leave
it back in the corner where it doesn't bother anyone.  Hannah thinks this
is just fine....however, cats can be very territorial about their
watering place and she now hisses at ANYONE but me who tries to enter "her"
watering place, even blocks their path...including my two-legged guests
who simply want to use the facilities.  This can be embarassing...but
Hannah will now drink water.  The other cats all share another bowl of
water (not near their feeding areas) in the kitchen.  Now, I have to
convince Hannah to allow guests in her watering area....

    re: 14
    
    That's interesting!  Lil is funny like that - when I bring a new
    clean bowl of water downstairs, which is right next to the dry
    food pan, and move the 'old' bowl, which is going back upstairs
    to be washed, far away from the dry food, that's the bowl she
    likes to drink from - I used to think that she liked dirty water
    - weird little thing that she is.  hmm  interesting!
    
    E.T.

    Hmmm, could this be why Kelsey does "the water dance" in front of
    the bowl?  Maybe he's trying to tell me to move it elsewhere!  He
    does drink from it though but not until he "dances" first!!
    

    Hmmmm...now that I think about it, Ashley van Grayson, who is spending
    his summer vacation with me, moves the water dish away from the
    food dishes.  Every morning, it's about a foot away from where I
    left it.  Must be an editorial comment on his part!
    
    Mary