A different kind of scooting problem?

Hi there. I need some advice about my cat, who is scooting a lot but the vets don't know why.

Kato started scooting occasionally about 2 months ago. Two weeks ago he was obviously feeling poorly (wouldn't move or eat) so we took him to the vet. They did tons of tests (bloodwork & ultrasound) and found nothing. They expressed his anal glands but the vet said it didn't seem necessary. They even trimmed around his anus. They gave him antibiotics, thinking he might have an abscess brewing. After a week of antibiotics he was taken off because they made him vomit and gave him diarrhea.

The antibiotics may have helped because Kato stopped scooting for several days. Kato is acting normally and eating and drinking well. He doesn't seem sick. However, the diarrhea never fully resolved. It comes and goes, and while it's not as bad as it was a week ago, it's still there.

It's been a week since he quit the antibiotics and now the scooting is back. He's doing it more, both before and after going to the cat pan, and sometimes it seems to really bother him. He licks his anus often and gets fidgety, even meowing a lot while licking his bottom. You can tell he's in a bad mood when it happens and he sometimes acts like he's being chased. We've cleaned his bottom for him but it doesn't make any difference.

Since Kato's already been checked for anal problems I don't know what else it could be. Any thoughts? He acts fine otherwise and the vets think he's fine, so I'm at a loss.

Have they checked his stool for parasites? I would guess that things like worms may cause diarrhea and stress over his rear end.

Also, does he go outside or interact with other animals? Years ago, my childhood cat became very distressed whenever anyone touched the lower half of his body. After a vet visit, we found he had a tiny puncture wound right next to his bottom that was causing him pain. He had apparently ended up in a fight with either a raccoon or another cat.

I'll second the question about parasites. Leopold had tapeworms that made him scoot. It's happened twice in his 9 years...Droncit resolved it both times.

I would guess that the excessive licking could be from the worms, or it could be a consequence of the scooting (making it raw and sore).

I hope it's something simple like that.

I don't think he was checked for parasites. I left a message with the vet student to ask. Simon's entirely indoors, he hasn't been outside (except in a carrier) since we got him. Boy, I hope it's not parasites, we have two other cats! That'll be a treat Thanks for the suggestions!

Unfortunately, even indoor cats can get them occasionally--tapeworms, for example, can come from fleas, and my indoor cats definitely get fleas if they're not on medication.

I give a "third" to the possible parasites. Another common one that is sometimes tought to find is Giardia, it will cause on and off diarrhea as well.

Pinworms too, will cause an itchy butt.

The vet said she didn't test for parasites, but will if the diarrhea lasts for another couple days or if the other cats start having diarrhea. She did think he was scooting because of the loose stools. I guess the anal glands don't get "used" unless the cat has normal/firm stools. Today he's been better, so I'm crossing my fingers! Thanks guys!