Vet Time

Took Gracie for a walk BEFORE her vet appointment this morning, hoping to play her out. Hmmm... didn't work. Go figure. So she got her Beaver Fever shot, and some kind of booster. Weighs 42 kg - translates to about 92 lbs. So she still isn't 100 lbs. Altho, I'm sure she reached it this past winter! Dr. Doug Hopkins was impressed with her waistline! Because Rottweilers have a tendancy to BULK up, it's important to keep them slim and trim. Otherwise it's too hard on their joints. Well, she still has her "svelte" figure! So she's good!

Brewster. Well. Here's the story on him. They talked me into giving him vacinations. Lynx has never had a shot in his life, and he's still going strong! (other than being fixed, that is) Brewster's weight is about about 13 kg (6 lbs). And.... he has Feline Acne!! That's the problem with his chin area. Need to get rid of the plastic bowls - guess it keeps the bacteria around. We wrapped him in a towel, I held him down, and Doug shaved his chin, with him YOWLING the whole time! Then Doug cleaned it with a peroxide solution thing, let it sit for a bit, then rinsed it off. And sent me home with a small bottle of such. Need to do it once a day, until it clears up. Then about once a week from then on. Unless it flares up again. Because I guess it's quite possible to be this way the rest of his life! See, I told you the vets loved me!! Doug said I can bring him in anytime to get his chin shaved again, if need be. Great.

So here is the info on Feline Acne:
Feline acne is a relatively common cat disorder in which blackheads form on a cat’s lower lip, face, and chin. The condition is often triggered by over activity of the enlarged sebaceous glands around the cat’s face. Cat owners may notice that their cats often rub their faces against various household objects. This behavior, called marking, activates the cat’s facial sebaceous glands, in which the cat produces an oily secretion that is rubbed onto the object. Besides territorial marking, this oily secretion also serves to help waterproof a cat’s coat and protect the suppleness of their skin.

Many cats, however, have sebaceous glands that overproduce these oily secretions, creating a greasy layer on the cat’s fur and skin that can then lead to acne. The condition is particularly noticeable on white or pale colored cats, as their fur may appear to have a yellow, greasy discoloration. In mild cases of feline acne, the hair follicles around the cat’s chin and mouth may become clogged with black sebaceous material, forming blackheads. Secondary infection may then follow, resulting in inflammation of the hair follicles and the formation of papules and pustules from which pus may be extracted. In severe acne cases, the area can become inflamed, swollen, cystic, or scarred.

Feline acne can affect any cat at any age. “Although most cases are mild,” said Andrea Mullen, DVM, “severe conditions can easily develop and may be difficult to get rid of.” Treatment for the condition varies but oftentimes use of an antibiotic soap, benzyl peroxide, or human acne pads can help clear up the infection. In severe cases, oral antibiotics may also be prescribed. Preventive maintenance includes using metal or ceramic feeding dishes as opposed to plastic (since plastic is a breeding ground for bacteria), washing dishes on a frequent and regular basis, and wiping off the cat’s face after mealtime. Often, lifelong treatment is necessary to control breakouts. It is strongly advised that you schedule an appointment with your veterinarian at the first sign of black spots on the chin, as feline acne is a potentially serious condition not to be ignored.
Well, isnt THAT just wonderful!

But on a good note, it's not serious. Not really. If looked after properly. And he rode SO well in the car! (Poor Ralph used to curl up on my lap, and his little paws would sweat. Seriously, it freaked him out that much. And Lynx has had maybe 1/2 dozen trips in his life, he's not crazy about it either!) But Brewster had on his harness, and his retractable leash, and away we went. (he hasn't been in a car since I brought him home - 2 1/2 months ago) He yowled from his perch in the back window of the car, until we got out of the alley. Then he wandered over to visit me. Ended up sitting on my lap, looking at the vehicles beside us. Never heard a peep out of him from then on. Yippeee!! I may have a travelling cat!

ACNE! Still shaking my head on that one....