Concern about anal gland expression

My three year old formerly feral Siamese mix is very snuggly. She loves being held and jumps into my lap all the time. Lately I've noticed that sometimes when she's being snuggled, she will express her anal glands all over me. Yeah, it's yukky, but more I'm concerned that this might be a health problem. She's a bit overweight, which also might be a factor and she eats just about anything that doesn't eat her first (I used to have to hide ribbons and hair ties from her so she wouldn't eat them too). She has been eating and drinking well and her energy and attitude all seem to be the same as they ever were. Could there be a reason for all this or is it just that she's relaxed?

Thanks guys

Been there, got grossed out myself.

Most cats probably express theirs in the litterbox, but I've had one of our boys express his on me before, so it's not unusual, just nasty.

If you're concerned, call your vet and ask there. You might need to take her in to have them express her glands before she can do it on you. *shrug*

I hope that helps!!!

Yeah, it's nasty! I almost wish I had that problem. Poor Cleo has to go to the vet every 6 months (sometimes sooner) and have hers expressed. Poor baby...I know it's got to hurt! My vet tried to teach me how to do it, but I'd rather have Cleo associate the pain with the vet, and not me!!!

I don't think it's something that needs a vet visit...maybe a mention the next time you have to visit the vet, but not something that needs to be looked at now.

Thanks, guys. Like I said, she seems happy enough, but everything I've read says she should be expressing them when she's stressed or unhappy, but she's doing it when she's happy and relaxed. I did change her food, I should change it back and see if that changes anything.

Oh ok, so Ossi is not the only one. When he gets really ‘pleasuredâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji] with petting, especially on belly and back area of his back you will just know from the way he lifts his tail that he will be squirting. Usually he will just have a couple of drops dripping out of his butt but then there are times when he likes to ‘wipeâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji] (scoot) his butt after the incident. Yech.

Can someone tell me how vets express the glands? I donâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t mean detailed description but do they actually stick their finger up the butt?

The thing is that I took Ossi to the vet couple of weeks ago because I thought he was blocked. He started “scooting without shootingâ€, and he never scoots more than once in like 3-4 months. He was taken to the back room and couple of heart wrenching screams later he came back a very depressed boy. The vet told that his glands were all ok and empty. His problem was constipation. We had indeed changed dry food but that was like 3 months ago, so I didnâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t make the connection. I had noticed some hard stools but he had been pooping, so I didnâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t know the scooting was sign of that. I just wanted to mention that this could also be one issue related to puckering up and squirting a lot – as Ossi had been doing both trying to relieve his poop-distress. Mostly though he seems to squirt when he is quite happy with himself.

Anyhow, Iâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]d be interested in knowing about what the vet does because after the visit Ossi has had some accidents. I donâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]t know if they are related to the constipation itself or the procedure trauma. After the expression, when he jumped down, climbed the stairs etc he had some little stone doodies dribble out without noticing. It seems to have resolved (he got laxatone for the constipation) but if it comes back I am taking him back to vet. Just not sure if this is common with constipation. He never has any inappropriate litter box behaviour otherwise. (Sorry for the hi-jack)

Cleo gets a thick build up in her glands, and must have them expressed about every 6 months or so. Yes, my vet lubricates her finger and inserts it into the rectum, and pinches the sac between her thumb and insterted finger (into a tissue.) This is easy for the left gland, but the right gland (for a right handed person) is much more difficult to manage. And, believe me...Cleo yowls when it's done!!! This is why I don't try to do it myself. As I said before, I'd rather have Cleo associate the pain with the vet, and not me!

Here's a link that shows how the glands are expressed, and explains the procedure. http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_anal_sacs.html

Originally Posted by Pookie-poo

my vet lubricates her finger and inserts it into the rectum, and pinches the sac between her thumb and insterted finger (into a tissue.)

Click to expand...

No wonder you dont want to do this yourself

Heres is a much easier way to do it without inserting your finger and something you could do monthly, so she wont become impacted and wont have to go to the vet.

Its of a dog but its the exact same thing for a cat.

http://www.expertvillage.com/video/8...ics-glands.htm

Originally Posted by Pami

No wonder you dont want to do this yourself

Heres is a much easier way to do it without inserting your finger and something you could do monthly, so she wont become impacted and wont have to go to the vet.

Its of a dog but its the exact same thing for a cat.

http://www.expertvillage.com/video/8...ics-glands.htm

Click to expand...

good luck! My boys are very proud of their (remaining) man-things and just grabbing them from tail to look at their butts is considered a violation of their manhood Suspicions rise when I just glance on the backside. Luckily only 1/3 has this gland "issue", and he is too easy for expression. Just rub on the belly and he will produce the foulest smelling gunk... No squeezing needed...