My Himalayan has black specks in the fur on her chin. It looks like flea dirt but we don't have fleas and it isn't anyplace else but on Chelsea's chin. It looks like feline acne based on what I've read but she's not quite 5 months old and I have only used ceramic dishes for her food and water. I feel like I am at the vet every week between the 3 cats so I'd like to try to treat this myself before I give up and run to them. They must think I am nuts already. I have been cleaning it with the chlorhexidine solution that I got for cleaning Bailey's wound last month. Is there anything else that will help? Or could this be something else?

My Himmie had this. I also use only ceramic dishes.
I did bring her to my vet, and he gave me a analog ointment which is the same and an antibiotic cream. So if you can put a little neosporin on it. It did take a few weeks to clear up.

Thank you. I will try that and try to be patient for the healing to start. She gets so touchy about having me mess with her chin. It would have to be the cat that is the hardest one to mess with. It also occurred to me that it started just about when I changed the dog's food. He is not that crazy about it so he doesn't eat it all up right away and Chelsea has been fishing out pieces and snacking on them. She has to stand up and reach because I elevated his dishes to keep the kitties out but she is determined and very clever. So maybe a food allergy might be causing it. I was thinking since the cat's food hadn't changed that there was no reason. But I guess I need to do something more to keep her out of his food too.

Quickest way is to shave the chin comletely, wash it with betadine solution (iodopovidone) make sure it's well diluted (light tea color so you don't dry the skin too much and then apply Mupirocin ointment (can get in vet's office)which is an antibiotic that penetrates the skin very well. Do so for couple days (usually 5-10 depends on the respond)

Thanks Monamour. Chelsea is going to be spayed tomorrow and while they aready have her in there, I will ask the vet to deal with the acne as well. I have been faithfully cleaning it but it's not much better. They have to shave her belly anyway so I am sure they can do the chin as well. It'll be easier when she's knocked out! I was just hoping to clear it up myself before she had to go in. But it didn't quite work out that way. I really hope it's not the Royal Canin she is allergic to because the girls won't eat anything else. It's hard to find the perfect food with Persians because of the size of the kibble. And Royal Canin Persian formula is great. Even the kitten food is much smaller and easier to chew than other brands. Chelsea will eat anything including huge dog food (which she steals out from under his nose), but my Allie is such a dainty girl. I hate to change her food because of Chelsea but if the vet thinks it's the cause, I'll try.

Hi MaxandAllie,
I have ragdolls and they don't touch anything else besides Royal Canine either:)
One of my males had the acne, quite bad, with the chin all swollen and I shaved it and did the meds and he doesn't have it anymore.