CHAPTER 8 ACNE (CANINE AND FELINE) 159
THERAPEUTICS
Depends on the severity and chronicity of the disease.
Reduce behavioral trauma to the chin (e.g., rubbing on the carpet, chewing bones
that increase salivation).
Instruct owners to avoid scrubbing or manually expressing the lesions, which may
cause internal rupture (furunculosis) of the papule/pustule and create marked inflam-
mation.Frequent cleansing with an antibacterial shampoo, wipe, or ointment to reduce the
bacterial numbers on the surface of the skin.
Topical antibiotics (mupirocin, clindamycin, tetracycline, erythromycin, metronida-
zole).
Retinoids: topical; tretinoin (Retin-A), tazarotene (Tazorac): may reduce follicular
keratosis: may be irritating; oral isotretinoin (2 mg/kg/day) for severe cases.
Corticosteroids: may be necessary to reduce inflammation.
Antibiotics appropriate for deep bacterial infection based on culture and sensitivity
results; may be required for 4–6 weeks (canine).
Precautions/Interactions
Topicals with benzoyl peroxide: may bleach carpets and fabrics; may be irritating.
Mupirocin ointment: greasy.
Topical retinoids: may be drying and irritating.
Oral retinoids: severe teratogen.
Topical steroids: may cause adrenal suppression with repeated use.
Fig. 8.1.Initial stages of feline acne: the skin palpates as thickened and there is mild alopecia.