Wow, has it been my summer for feline woes! I'm just getting Petey over his broken hip, and now another issue has cropped back up for the second time in a month.
One of my male Siamese is having a recurring issue with one of his anal glands. He's 5 1/2 years old, otherwise in perfect health as far as I know. But several times in his life, he's gotten a blocked anal gland, and has had to go on antiobiotics and then get it cleaned out by our vet. We just went through a round of this starting about exactly one month ago -- a course of antiobiotics, cleaning out by the vet, etc. I just happened to look back there last night and darn it all if he isn't licking the thing open again! ARGH!!!: ohno:
I called my vet and of course he said we need to put him back on antibiotics right away. He also talked about at least the possibility of surgical removal if this keeps happening. I told him I'd put it in the thought process because I sure don't want a cat who's constantly on antiobiotics, that can't be good for them, or our sanity. But I sure don't want to go that route unless I absolutely have to, especially with Oriental breeds being anesthesia senstive as they are, and all surgery having certain risks. My vet is a good guy and not pushing the idea at all, but at least brought it up for consideration if this keeps happening constantly.
So I am just wondering who else has had a babe with this problem, and what ultimately did you do about it, or not do? I have never in all my years and many kitties have one have this problem. Did anyone ever have the surgery done and was it a decent outcome? Does anyone know if there is some kind cause behind it that one can ease/help/maybe even cure with different diet/supplements, etc? (My guys eat mostly Wellness canned, along with some Eagle Pack Holistic canned, a little Wysong Vitality dry and a little Royal Canin dry, but 80% of their diet is canned.)
Thoughts and advice would be much appreciated!
Karen
One of my male Siamese is having a recurring issue with one of his anal glands. He's 5 1/2 years old, otherwise in perfect health as far as I know. But several times in his life, he's gotten a blocked anal gland, and has had to go on antiobiotics and then get it cleaned out by our vet. We just went through a round of this starting about exactly one month ago -- a course of antiobiotics, cleaning out by the vet, etc. I just happened to look back there last night and darn it all if he isn't licking the thing open again! ARGH!!!: ohno:
I called my vet and of course he said we need to put him back on antibiotics right away. He also talked about at least the possibility of surgical removal if this keeps happening. I told him I'd put it in the thought process because I sure don't want a cat who's constantly on antiobiotics, that can't be good for them, or our sanity. But I sure don't want to go that route unless I absolutely have to, especially with Oriental breeds being anesthesia senstive as they are, and all surgery having certain risks. My vet is a good guy and not pushing the idea at all, but at least brought it up for consideration if this keeps happening constantly.
So I am just wondering who else has had a babe with this problem, and what ultimately did you do about it, or not do? I have never in all my years and many kitties have one have this problem. Did anyone ever have the surgery done and was it a decent outcome? Does anyone know if there is some kind cause behind it that one can ease/help/maybe even cure with different diet/supplements, etc? (My guys eat mostly Wellness canned, along with some Eagle Pack Holistic canned, a little Wysong Vitality dry and a little Royal Canin dry, but 80% of their diet is canned.)
Thoughts and advice would be much appreciated!
Karen
