Severe cat acne

Hi vets. My 10 month old kitten has cat acne that has broken out in a cluster of lumps. She has been scratching and the area is inflamed. My vet gave her an antibiotic injection that she said would last two weeks and I am washing with antibacterial and antifungal wipes 2 to 3 times a day. I also apply an ointment recommended for acne to stop the itch. None of this is working. Been 3 weeks now and no improvement. Help...

Hello - the disease usually known as 'Cat acne' in the UK is not caused by infection and therefore antibiotics are unlikely resolve it by themselves, although they are occasionally employed and topical (applied directly to the skin) antibacterials are sometimes of help.  Usually the problem is caused by plugs of keratin forming in the hair follicles and the treatment tends to be multimodal - ie various different tactics can be tried at once.  These include 1) reducing any causes of stress (ask your vet about this - relatively few owners of stressed cats realise that their cat is stressed), 2) reviewing the shape and material of food and drinking bowls,  3) keeping the area clean 4) if an when needed, applying warm compresses. 5) topical steroids 6) addressing potential underlying allergies. 7) potentially, dietary changes 8) addressing underlying hormonal disease Usually if an owner doesn't return, vets will assume that a problem has cleared up or the client gone elsewhere; usually, if the initial - often easy and inexpensive - treatment does not work, the vet will still have a lot more in their arsenal to discuss when you return.

Thank you. This started with plastic bowls so I changed them a few months ago to stainless steel and they are washed daily. She then scratched her chin so badly there was a wound. This has heeled but the area is still a series of raised lumps, black spots and has scabbed over. I'm using antibacterial wipes and a topical ointment 2 to 3 times daily. I have changed her food to hypoallergenic food also. The only thing I've not tried is steroids or looking at hormonal issues. She is spayed.