This is a frustrating issue -- for Cassidy especially, but also for me. I'm at a loss as to what to do...
Cassidy has a tendency to have stool that sticks to her fur and skin surrounding her anus and genitalia. She typically doesn't have diarrhea (though, this time, it was preceded by a bout of diarrhea/loose stool caused by a reaction to a new food) but occasionally has stool that isn't as hard or well-formed as the other cats. She has been seen by the vet and has had negative fecal exams. In general, she is a healthy cat. But, with a long-haired cat, these kinds of things tend to happen. Thus, we keep her clipped in the back to prevent these types of issues.
About two weeks ago, I came to find out that Cassidy had had a loose bowel movement which led to a large amount of feces stuck to her bottom. I quickly bathed her and she was seen the next morning by the vet. Her anal sacs were expressed and all was well. However, she still had stool on her skin -- especially around her vulva. We bathed her again and also used wipes on the area and that seemed to help. Her back end is clipped and I have been checking her daily (even though there is no evidence of diarrhea or obvious loose stool in the litter boxes), but she, on two occasions now, has had feces stuck to her vulva after using the litter box. I'm concerned as I do not want her to develop an infection, but I'm at a loss as to what to do.
Cassidy is a larger cat. The vet says she could stand to lose a pound, but she's not truly obese -- she's just a big cat. She is on a weight loss "diet" and I am working closely with her vet on the issue, but the problem is that, while she can reach her back end to clean, she's never been the most meticulous groomer. That's a big part of the problem. However, since I do check her bottom daily, I am more than willing to clean her up. But, despite using wipes or even bathing her, the feces around her vulva doesn't seem to clean away. Not easily, anyway. Is there any trick of the trade I can use to get this area clean? Even when her bottom is not dirty and despite not having very wet stool, that part of her still gets messed. I am very diligent about cleaning her, but her vulva is hard to wipe clean (just as an aside, it is definitely feces stuck around her genitals, it's not vaginal discharge). So, please, any tips?
I feel so bad for Cassidy as I know it cannot be comfortable for her. She's only going to be 3 years old. She's not an older cat and is capable of cleaning herself, but I don't think she ever learned how to properly groom herself. And, I try, but it is a difficult area to keep clean -- especially when she does occasionally have a less firm bowel movement. Any help on this issue would be greatly appreciated. I'm frustrated as I don't know how to best help her and I just feel for her.
Thanks in advance for your advice, experiences, or whatever. This is one messy situation I could definitely use help with.
(One last thing...remember that she is clipped on her back end. We clip her very close to her skin. However, her genital area is not as short -- but, mind you, there's not that much fur there. The feces sticks to the fur on and around her vulva, but also on the skin.)
Cassidy has a tendency to have stool that sticks to her fur and skin surrounding her anus and genitalia. She typically doesn't have diarrhea (though, this time, it was preceded by a bout of diarrhea/loose stool caused by a reaction to a new food) but occasionally has stool that isn't as hard or well-formed as the other cats. She has been seen by the vet and has had negative fecal exams. In general, she is a healthy cat. But, with a long-haired cat, these kinds of things tend to happen. Thus, we keep her clipped in the back to prevent these types of issues.
About two weeks ago, I came to find out that Cassidy had had a loose bowel movement which led to a large amount of feces stuck to her bottom. I quickly bathed her and she was seen the next morning by the vet. Her anal sacs were expressed and all was well. However, she still had stool on her skin -- especially around her vulva. We bathed her again and also used wipes on the area and that seemed to help. Her back end is clipped and I have been checking her daily (even though there is no evidence of diarrhea or obvious loose stool in the litter boxes), but she, on two occasions now, has had feces stuck to her vulva after using the litter box. I'm concerned as I do not want her to develop an infection, but I'm at a loss as to what to do.
Cassidy is a larger cat. The vet says she could stand to lose a pound, but she's not truly obese -- she's just a big cat. She is on a weight loss "diet" and I am working closely with her vet on the issue, but the problem is that, while she can reach her back end to clean, she's never been the most meticulous groomer. That's a big part of the problem. However, since I do check her bottom daily, I am more than willing to clean her up. But, despite using wipes or even bathing her, the feces around her vulva doesn't seem to clean away. Not easily, anyway. Is there any trick of the trade I can use to get this area clean? Even when her bottom is not dirty and despite not having very wet stool, that part of her still gets messed. I am very diligent about cleaning her, but her vulva is hard to wipe clean (just as an aside, it is definitely feces stuck around her genitals, it's not vaginal discharge). So, please, any tips?
I feel so bad for Cassidy as I know it cannot be comfortable for her. She's only going to be 3 years old. She's not an older cat and is capable of cleaning herself, but I don't think she ever learned how to properly groom herself. And, I try, but it is a difficult area to keep clean -- especially when she does occasionally have a less firm bowel movement. Any help on this issue would be greatly appreciated. I'm frustrated as I don't know how to best help her and I just feel for her.
Thanks in advance for your advice, experiences, or whatever. This is one messy situation I could definitely use help with.
(One last thing...remember that she is clipped on her back end. We clip her very close to her skin. However, her genital area is not as short -- but, mind you, there's not that much fur there. The feces sticks to the fur on and around her vulva, but also on the skin.)
I used to have (many years ago) a DLH girl who had the same issue, although she was not overweight. I kept her short back there and the vet said to let some of the hair grow some length back about one inch to help cover the vulva again. Then smear some vaseline (or coconut oil, great idea) on the area and hairs each day. This will help you wipe the area clean more easily. It really worked for my girl. I do think shedding some pounds will help too. 
