Poop Falling out of Cat Please Help!

Male Cat 13 years old.

2 weeks ago started having pieces of poop all over the place.

Went to vet and diagnosed anal gland problem/but hole was very infected.

Vet prescribed Clavamox for two weeks.  Cat has been on the antibiotic for 1 week now (oral with seringe via the mouth).

Since being on the anti biotic poop falls right out of his butt all over the place.  It is like he doesn't have any way to control it.  The stools are very soft. 

His but looks much better and almost looks normal.  I called the vet and they said it will take time to heal.

Please please if anyone knows why the medicine has caused the problem to get worse/why poop runs right out of him now and if this will all get better after another week when we get off the medicine. 

I have talked to two vets on this and they both say the same thing but act like this isn't really ever going to heal.  Appreciate anyone's input. 

This is straight poop, not simple anal gland fluid on the floor.........my carpet machine has been running overtime!

Thank you to all!

Hi kayakmr - welcome to TCS!

If I'm understanding you correctly, he is still "losing" stool involuntarily......but, now the stool has become very soft and runny.

It's very common for antibiotics to change the consistency/firmness of the stool.....they 'kill off' the bacteria in the gut which is used to digest food.

So.......it's very common, then, that people will give the cat some probiotics which will rebuild those bacteria.

Hopefully he eats wet foods** - you can simply sprinkle some probiotic powder over a very small quantity of wet food (that will ensure he consumes the entire dose) and feed that at least twice a day - you should do this either 2-3 hours before or after the antibiotic dosing.

A good quality (high potency) non-dairy human probiotic is just fine - make sure they're refrigerated - use one capsule each time. Alternatively, your Vet will have a veterinary probiotic on hand.

So far as his wandering is concerned,I would certainly isolate him (if he were mine) to the smallest, carpet-free room in my house until this clears up. I'd probably be covering the floor with newspaper as well.

Do make sure you continue the antibiotic for the full duration of the two weeks......if this hasn't cleared in another few days (with the probiotic 'on board'), get him back to the Vet for a re-check before you run out of meds.

** If he doesn't normally eat wet foods, but will if he's presented with some, pick up some Fancy Feast pate style ("Classic", like this: http://www.fancyfeast.com/wet-cat-food/classic/) - they're usually pretty irresistible.

And, in the meantime, if he's not regularly eating a wet food diet, you might want to consider moving him to one. There can be serious health implications for cats on dry diets.....here's a very reputable Veterinarian's website (she doesn't sell anything!) that will explain the dangers of dry foods (for an animal that evolved with a system designed to derive hydration from its prey): http://www.catinfo.org There's another area on TCS where you'll also get good advice about foods - the Nutrition Forum.

Keep us posted!

It sounds like he's unable to control his bowels?

Has either vet offered further diagnostic options? Do they think the problem is "just" the anal gland issue - or is there a structural problem - or a motility problem? Or they don't really know?

In the meantime, I think White Shadow has given excellent advice.

Many vibes for you and your kitty.

Thank you both for your reply. I am trying to make his golden years as peaceful as possible. Your expertise help greatly!

I'm beginning to think since he is 13yrs old that he could't hold it and didn't make it to the box and the antibiotics ain't making it any better I think he would have been better by now and every time I use clavamox it don't work my cats get worse on clavamox the antibiotic I like and finds to work is amoxacillin

did he have any test done? to make sure there isn't any health issues that might be causing this?

Mewlittle said:

I'm beginning to think since he is 13yrs old that he could't hold it....

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Sorry, but I think you missed this part of the first post

diagnosed anal gland problem/but hole was very infected

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Mewlittle said:

,,,the antibiotics ain't making it any better I think he would have been better by now ...

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BUT:

His but looks much better and almost looks normal.

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Keep up with the meds. as an anal gland infection (rupture :dk is extremely painful and can take a few weeks to heal up. That is causing your cat to drop poop as he is having pain and discomfort in trying to control his bowels. The Clavamox could also be causing the loose poop as White Shadow already mentioned. I know another member had a cat with a ruptured anal gland and the vet gave a shot of Covenia instead of the Clavamox. I would make sure you check in with your vet before your meds run out and have your kitty re-checked. So sorry your cat (and you) are dealing with this and I do hope he will heal quickly.