Bumpy's ruptured anal gland and high fever

nhlee529

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I just took Bumpy to the Vet after noticing that there was a wound bleeding out near her anus. Vet says it's a ruptured/infected anal gland. He shaved Bumpy's behind, cleaned the area up and there's a really deep hole! I am really worried about her because she has a really high fever of 106 and the Vet say usually it shouldn't be that high. My poor baby... she must be in pain.


So, the Vet gave her a drip (of what, I don't really know) to lower her fever, then he will sedate her to do the surgery in a few hours. He says there's dead skin around the area...I don't know how bad this is compared to some of your kitties who had the same situation, but does this always come with a fever? The Vet says it will take a while to heal because the dead skin has to be cut away. They also recommended a comprehensive blood test but the whole thing is going to be well over $300 already and the blood test is another $99 more. I want to make sure Bumpy is going to be okay, but is the blood test absolutely necessary. She's about 7 years old now, but has been a healthy and an indoor cat all of her life. I'm waiting for Vet to call me to see if I can take her home after the surgery or to wait until tomorrow morning. Is it better to leave her at the Vet's overnight?

I'd appreciate any input if anyone faced the same as I am... I'm just so worried and wonder how I could have missed it, since I brush her everyday and clean her behind often. I'm a bad mother...
 

yosemite

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Sorry I have no info for you either but sending successful surgery and healing vibes to Bumpy and hugs to you.
 

jellybella

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Aw, poor girlie...the fever comes with the infection. Her body is trying to fight it off by upping the temperature. Was there a sudden change in her behavior? She's probably been hiding her discomfort for a while now.

Here's some famous TCS healing
 
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nhlee529

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Thank you all for your kindness. I am still waiting for the Vet's call. I decided to have them do the comprehensive blood test too.

I did notice that Bumpy felt warmer than usual last night and didn't eat too much of her favorite snack. I thought she just needed sleep and rest, since I know kitties can sleep off some minor sickness and heal themselves. I just tucked her in and left her alone last night. I just didn't know the thing will rupture itself like that! Didn't even know about anal glands. I hope she'll be alright. I've been told that cat's heal fast... I sure hope that's the case with Bumpy!
 
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nhlee529

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The vet called back and the blood test does indicate that Bumpy's got an infection. He mentioned that her glucose level is really high, it's 344 and 150 would be normal. He says it's probably due to the stress and the infection of her current situation. I'll have to get her re-checked in 10 days. I hope she'll be okay by then. I won't be able to pick Bumpy up until tomorrow morning... she'll be taking oral antibiotics but no cream for the wound. Does that sound right? I would have thought there's a topical cream to heal and sooth the wound.

Also, the vet said to get a litter call Yesterday's News. I've been trying different litters, including feline pine... and they are all dusty. How is this Yesterday's New? Is anyone using it? Please let me know how you like it. Thanks!
 

xocats

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I would follow your vet's advice and get yesterdays news.
If that doesn't work and your vet for options.
My guess would be that he doesn't want small pieces of litter getting stuck to Bumpy's wound.

I am sending lots of healing vibes Bumpy's way...
Poor sweetie pie...
and a hug for you.

Keep us posted about how he is doing.
 

kluchetta

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I would assume that with a really deep wound like that (as in a puncture wound) they don't want anything in there, including creams, etc. Yesterday's news is a paper-based litter - a lot of vets recommend it after surgeries for at least a couple of weeks. Vibes for Bumpy!
 

ericss

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106 is high, but cats can be 102.5 and still be considered normal, so it isnt as bad as it sounds!

Im sure Bumpy will be fine, and yesterdays news is basically recycled paper made into little balls. You can find it at most places that carry litter.
 

saya

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you're not a bad mommy, don't even think that.
ruptured anal glands are fairly common and not in any way your fault. They are painful for kitty but as long as you treat it quickly, which you are doing, there should be no lasting problems.

for a speedy recovery
 

pookie-poo

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Awww....poor little Bumpy! I have to take Cleo in about every 6 months to have her anal glands expressed. My vet showed me how to do it, but I'd rather Cleo associate the vet with the pain of the expression. The first time she had impacted anal glands, my vet told me that she was very close to rupturing....so I've decided to just have them emptied regularly to prevent that from happening. I hope that your vet removed both glands during the surgery, so she won't have that problem again. If they both weren't removed, you should have her checked in about 6 months or so, just to make sure the remaining one doesn't get too full. I will keep your sweet Bumpy in my prayers for a speedy, uncomplicated recovery!
 
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nhlee529

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Thank you everyone for all the kind words and blessings. It's good to know I can get emotional support here. I just feel awful because normally Bumpy is the healthy one and a very good girl; her sister- Milukhu is the problem child, behavior issues, etc... so I always had to pay more attention to Milukhu. I felt guilty for not noticing Bumpy's problem earlier. I really hope everything goes smoothly once I get her home. They are really like my little children, my babies. Everyone's support here really mean so much to me...I feel somewhat better now...

Pookie-Poo,
I wasn't aware that the glands were to be taken out. I'm not sure exactly what the "surgery" entails... The Vet just said the wound would be cleaned inside out and will need stitches. As for the ruptured anal gland, does it get removed? I will ask them when I pick Bumpy up in the morning. The other one is ok...I think, I hope! The tech kind of told me to just press on the sides of the kitty's anus to empty the glands out in the future. But, I wouldn't know if I'd do it right. What's supposed to come out? Does Cleo hurt when the vet does it?

I went out and got some Yesterday's News litter for Bumpy... I hope it won't create another problem for her sister, who's known to have behavior issues when going to the bathroom. I use the clumping kind of litter and feline pine (clumping kind) in different boxes. Bumpy is the only one using feline pine to pee in and no one will use it to poo in. Both of my girls are long hair, so it's difficult not to have litter stuck on their behind from time to time. I always have to run after them to trim some off, but they hate scissors. I guess now that Bumpy's behind is shaved, with Yesterday's News litter, I think (and hope) she'll be more comfortable with the adjustment. Hopefully Milukhu will like it too.

I will keep everyone posted on Bumpy's progress. Thanks again!
 

xocats

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I understand your fears and confusion about scent gland (sac) disease.

My boy Dexter has a chronic scent gland (sac ) plugging problem.
When I joined TCS, I was scared, confused and felt all alone about this orphan cat disease because I had never heard of any one else with a cat who had this. I have since learned that it can be managed.

Most vets are conservative about surgical removal.
There can be serious side affects from scent sac removal surgery such and incontinence from anal nerve damage.
If I found it necessary, I would only have a certified surgical specialist, who had extensive experience with scent sac removal in cats do the surgery.

Here are a couple of my old threads that will give you some background about my experience with Dexter' scent glands.

http://thecatsite.com/forums/showthr...ght=scent+sacs

http://thecatsite.com/forums/showthr...ght=scent+sacs

Regarding the litter issue...
because you have a kitty with litter behavior issues, you might need to keep Bumpy in a separate room when she first comes home, so that she will use the paper litter during her recovery.
You might have problem with your other cat if you suddenly change her litter...
and you certainly don't need that.

Other members might have more suggestions about the litter issue.

I wish you and Bumpy well...
once she is recovered from the surgery, just do as suggested...
keep a close eye on Bumpy's rear and have your vet express the sacs when necessary.
Dexter used to go in for an expression about every 3 months but I have been keeping him well hydrated by added extra filtered water to his wet food and using a high fiber dry food as his kibble.
It will be a year in March since he has had to have it done.

Calming vibes for you and healing vibes for Bumpy.
 

pookie-poo

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Lei is so right about the surgery being a tricky one. The nerves and muscles that control continence are all in the area of the anal sacs, and can be easily damaged by surgery to remove them. I can always tell when it's time to bring Cleo to the vet to have them expressed. She will scoot her bottom on the carpet (yeah, gross!!!) and she becomes a bit obsessive about grooming her bottom. And sometimes, when I pick her up, I will get an absolutley foul smelling, greasy substance on my sleeve.

I imagine that having the glands expressed must be rather uncomfortable, because my vet will insert her lubricated, gloved finger into the sphincter and actually 'squeeze' the glands to express them (think about the size disproportion!) Cleo's glands tend to fill with a thick, pasty fluid that isn't easily emptied, although most cats have a watery fluid that is easily expressed. Cleo gets sub-Q fluids and exclusively wet food to eat (due to her renal failure) and she still has issues with the glands not emptying. I guess some cats are just prone to it. I've never had the problem with my other two.....actually, I've never had the problem with any cat, and I've been around cats my whole life! I always thought it was a dog problem, before Cleo started having issues with anal gland emptying.

If, for some reason, you end up with issues of them not wanting to use the Yesterday's News litter...It won't really hurt to use their regular litter. I would just make sure to keep it scrupulously clean until her bottom is healed. Even if it means completely emptying it daily and starting with fresh, so as to not harbor any bacteria in the litter.

Please keep us posted on Bumpy's recovery! She's in my prayers.
 

xocats

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Originally Posted by Pookie-poo

I imagine that having the glands expressed must be rather uncomfortable, because my vet will insert her lubricated, gloved finger into the sphincter and actually 'squeeze' the glands to express them (think about the size disproportion!) Cleo's glands tend to fill with a thick, pasty fluid that isn't easily emptied, although most cats have a watery fluid that is easily expressed.
You have a double whammy with Cleo's CRF.


I can tell by Dexter's reaction that expression is very uncomfortable, and sometime painful.
I cringe every time he has his expressed.


I agree that some cats must be prone to having their scent sac fluid thicken then plug. It is not very common in cats.
I have had cats all of my life too and never even heard of it is cats until Dexter.


More vibes going out to Bumpy and some extra love for Cleo.
 
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nhlee529

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I finally got Bumpy home! We have to go back Friday to get the drain taken out then remove suture in 10 days. The suture is really long... looks painful. I'm surprised at how well Bumpy's taking the ordeal. She'll also have to get her blood glucose rechecked too because the Vet's concerned that she might have diabetes. I'm worried... my poor baby. I pray that her high glucose level is really due to stress and infection. Are there any signs for diabetes? The Vet also did a dental cleaning for Bumpy while she was sedated for the abscess surgery and extracted 3 loose molars! They said she was probably only using one side to eat her dry food because all the other teeth looked good. Is this odd? The teeth were really loose so the Vet just extracted them. Poor baby now have no molars on one side.
I feel so bad with all the problems she's got all of a sudden.

Thanks XOCATS, Pookie-Poo and everyone else for lots of good information and support. All your kitties are so adorable and lovely. Bumpy is doing pretty good since she came home about 5 hours ago. I put her in a separate room (the room where she usually watches TV in anyway) with the door closed and her new Yesterday's News litter and food and water. But she didn't seem too interested in the litter. I kind of let her wonder around my apartment (with her sister in a different room) and she went into the other litter boxes to pee, twice. Once in the clumping feline pine, and the second time in the clumping clay litter. Hopefully when she's alone in the room, she'll try the new litter out. I know she's not that comfortable so I put her back into her TV room to sleep. She's being a good little girl... sleeping right now. I took off her collar because it's way too bulky and she couldn't walk with it. I just have watch her all the time with it off since she wants to lick her wound all the time. I still have to flush the drain with betadine tonight... and give her medicine- Clavamox.

Bumpy thanks everyone for strength and support!!
 
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