Expressing Anal Glands?

Okay I am going to sound completely dumb now...but I didn't know that you sometimes have to do this to cats! I knew it had to be done to dogs sometimes,but we grew up around cats and NEVER done this with cats and I NEVER hear anyone mention they have to do it.

Well just a few minutes ago I was reading a cat book that my mom has for when she did the vet assistant course and there was a section in it about that.One of the signs it needs to be done is the cat twitching it's tail or back suddenly.Well Anja does this alot,I actually posted awhile back thinking she was spraying (she never sprayed,but she does twitch).Are their any other signs that she may need to be expressed? Berlin never twitches her tail like Anja.

So should she have her anal glands expressed??? I do not look forward to that.
Advice?

Originally Posted by 709Juggalette

Are their any other signs that she may need to be expressed??

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Do they look dark or like they could be plugged? Is she dragging her butt on things? Does she smell extra stinky back there?

Usually if the stool is firm enough that takes care of it, though some cats can have a little problem even with firm stools. My Tomas can occasionally have his get rather full though they don't plug up - I keep an eye on them because otherwise he can accidentally express them on my lap (rolling around).

If your mom knows how to do it have her take care of it. or ask the vet to show you the next time you're in. Even if you don't have to do it, it's good to know how.

I am actually at mom's now,so I cannot check them to see if they are dark or look plugged...but I will check when I go home.

Nope,I didn't see her rub her butt on things ever (she is a princess cat and acts like she is the only one that matters... ...so if she is rubbing her butt on the floor,it is certainly when I am not looking! ).As for stools,all stools in the litter boxes are firm.

I am making a vet appointment soon,as she still is not spayed.I want to get her done soon though,so I can get the vet to show me how to do it then.It did explain in the book how to do it and had a picture.I know my mom used to always do our dogs in the past too...so maybe she would do the honors! Haha...kidding.She is my cat,so I will do it if I really have to.

Originally Posted by 709Juggalette

One of the signs it needs to be done is the cat twitching it's tail or back suddenly.Well Anja does this alot,I actually posted awhile back thinking she was spraying (she never sprayed,but she does twitch).

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I've had several cats for years and it's always been pretty normal to me for them to sorta be backed up against a wall or something and you see their tail quiver (though they don't spray at all). I think it's pretty common and I've never heard this to be a sign of cat needing anal glands to be emptied. I've got a 14 yr old female who does the tail quivering thing all the time and never a problem w/ anal glands.

Next time you're at the Vet, ask him to check them but unless kitty is seen "scooting" butt on floor, or you smell a really foul odor to butt area, I wouldn't worry about anything. Of all the cats I've had, many now seniors, only one has needed anal glands checked (his stools were often a little loose at times; that contributed to them not emptying well on their own because generally just the passing of formed stool is enough to empty them though not always).

I wouldn't worry too much about it. It's generally not something that cat owners have to do (or get vet to do) on a regular basis, unless there's some obvious issue.

Okay thanks.
I never noticed any foul odors or her scooting or anything.The only thing is that twitching,but she has been doing this for a long time...months now.So maybe it is nothing.I will check her glans when I go home to see if they appear "odd" and otherwise I guess just keep my eye on her.

Out of curiousity...are these the same symptons for a dog...Franklin doesnt scoot on the floor but he does fart and it reeks....Hmmmmmm...maybe Im just being a pet hypocondract (or however you spell it lmao)