odd question about my kitten . . .

jerz

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I was on here in October about our kitten with Cocidia. We treated her once with the Albon and the next fecal came back clear. She never showed symptoms so not really sure how bad she had it. I know that it can come out in times of stress and we cleaned to the point of OCD but that's me.

She now has been starting to have a stinky bottom here and there that I have noticed (she's a little over 4 months now) I mean bad enough when she walks by. We wipe it with the kitten wipes but she is not a fan. I'm not familiar with kittens with anal gland issues but could it be that she isn't fixed yet (she is getting fixed this month with a declaw and is an indoor only cat) Hoping that that will be the solution bc I am not a fan of anal gland issue like we had with my English Bulldog. Is anyone familiar with this? Is it a common issue that resolves?
 

catpack

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1.) Yes, her anal glands could be full. In my family (and fosters) we have 3 cats that have to have their anal glands expressed every 4-6 weeks.

2.) If you have problems with anal gland issues, how are you going to feel if your cat develops litter box issues (peeing in the floor) UTIs, cystitis, excessive grooming, early onset arthritis, anxiety, etc due to being declawed? I work for a rescue and cannot tell you how many people want to surrender their cats due to the above issues (or the cats become outdoor cats...yes, the owners HAD agreed the the cats would be indoor only.)

Do you know what declawing is? Why do you want this done to your cat?
 
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tulosai

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Hi and welcome back to the forums.  
 I am glad to hear your kitty's cocidia got better and I am so happy you have been able to give this cat a home. 


Its not really clear to me from your post exactly what the issue is, but I do think it t could not hurt to schedule a vet appointment to make sure everything is working properly in the anal region.  A vet might also be able to give you some tips on how to improve the issue and whether this is a one time medical issue, something that will improve in time, a problem with her diet, and so on. It will be very hard for any of us to tell you exactly what the problem is without seeing your kitty 


This does not sound like an 'emergency' to me but since it's been ongoing for a while I'd call your vet Monday and book an appointment for the first possible convenient time.

Good luck resolving this issue with your kitty.
 
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jerz

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My issue is I don't want to be expressing her at home like I had to do to my dog. Yet, financially I don't want to go to the vet every few weeks to have it done either so my question was not clear but I was asking is it common for a cat to have on going long term issues with this or could it be something else like an infection? Last time I had a kitten I was 5 years old so . . . I have been around cats just not had one myself in a long time. My choice to declaw the cat was due to her scratching my children in the face numerous times (which comes with teaching them too) and she climbs everything. If I had to make the choice between my kids and the cat it would be my kids so please don't go there. Plenty of people declaw their cats without any problems and some have problems. Even our vet recommended declawing her if we were keeping her an indoor cat. My reasoning for putting that was so that I wouldn't get jumped on for not having her spayed yet at 4 - 4.5 months.  She's very lovable and is part parrot and dog I think likes to sit on my shoulders and I happened to notice it twice in the last week. I was wondering if it was a result of her coming into maturity or if it could be an anal gland issue.
 

catpack

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I am sure the vet recommended the declaw simply because he/she thinks it is the only way for you to keep the cat.

She is young and will likely outgrow the scratching phase in a few months. It is seen commonly among 12 wk to 6 mo old cats. They usually begin using their claws less destructively around 8-10 mo old.
Keeping her nails trimmed (possibly on a weekly basis) or using something like Soft Paws during this time would be a solution to the scratching.

Also for the climbing, providing her with a tall cat tree (or two) would help with her climbing unwanted things (like curtains.)

Also, if she is scratching the kids because she doesn't want to be held at the moment, or they are doing something undesirable to her, she is very likely to begin biting (if declawed) to get her message across. I have experienced this first-hand by 3 cats. Yes, cat scratches hurt. I can remember crying as a kid (and have wanted to on the occasion now.) But, bites are worse (and those are what get infected.)
 
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jerz

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She pounces on them when they are sitting on the couch not paying attention to her or when they sleep at night. She wants to play. Our vet suggested it because her cats are declawed and as she put it "get to do a little more as a result"  Meaning I guess she doesn't have to scold them as much. and Yes the biting will become an issue I'm sure. I know what it entails and it sounds horrible but our vet actually controls her pain with a medicine patch for 5 days post op so I feel ok about it. We back up to a busy road so an indoor/outdoor cat is not an option and we are also military so they have to be inside only cats on base.
 

catpack

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Sounds like she needs more play/interaction time (or another kitten to play with.) I also encourage you to give the Soft Paws a try. Petco and PetSmart carry them and they can be ordered online. I feel confident that she will outgrow many of the issues you are currently experiencing.

It has been shown that cats need at least 10-14 days of continuous pain management after declawing (sometimes much longer.) Also, *most* pain medication is not sufficient for controlling the pain cats experience (it is the most painful surgery to do to a cat.) Remember, cats are excellent at hiding pain (unlike dogs...this is why vets do not declaw dogs, they expressed too much pain.) Phantom pain may persist for weeks to months (sometimes years.) Each cat's experience is different, much like everyone who has had a limb amputated has different experiences and recovery time.
 
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cprcheetah

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When you say stinky bottom are you meaning she has feces stuck to her bottom?  I have seen that happen sometimes with cats who are on a lower quality diet, what are you feeding your cat?  I agree with the above poster, I work for a vet and declaws are extremely painful they should be on pain medication longer than 5 days.
 

StefanZ

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I want to second CatPack posts and splendid analysis RE declawing.  Also the solutions. Soft paws (there are also other brand names), more play time - either another kitten/cat, or even to encourage your kids to want to play with her in suitable ways.

Usually a problem is the children wants to play more than the kitten, or carry it around, and the kitten must defends itself.  Sorrowfully, I must admit that was so with me when I was a 5-6 year kid...  *sadly smile*

Here it is vice versa...  The kitten likes your children and wants to play with them, although he doesnt know how to invite it in a nice way...

I also suspect, it was taken from mom and siblings rather early, and hadnt learned to use soft paws when playing hard with comrades.   So go on and teach her, by actively saying NO and oouch! or even hiss,  if she forgets to use soft paw.

She will learn.   Or give her a well socialized, friendly cat companion.  Well socialized meaning also who had time with his littermates and mom till 12 weeks....

Re the anal glands issues, they arent so often with cats as with dogs, but does happen.  One of my ex neigbours told me once about a surprising but easy solution, what was it....  I hope I will remember..

Otherwise you had got good advices, both by Tulosai, and also Cheetach has an interesting post.

Good luck!

Ps.  Feces stuck to the bottom can  happen whomever,  although its more common with lower quality food.

Especielly if the cat has long haired bottom.

It may also be if the stool is a little loose, but without being rare.

A sometimes useful solution is to trim the hairs around the rear end, if the are longish.

And of course, experiment the diet till it again gives firm, fast short sausages or  american football- balls.
 
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ritz

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I agree with all the above posters:  a change of diet might mitigate the anal gland issue.  (Ritz has to have her anal glands expressed about twice a year; I fed raw.)

As an interim step, when you get your cat spayed, I would have the vet put on Soft Paws.  See how your cat reacts re: scratching, increased play time, and then based on new evidence, knowledge, re-evaluate your decision(s).
 

AbbysMom

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I am sure the vet recommended the declaw simply because he/she thinks it is the only way for you to keep the cat.
...and wants the extra money she will be able to charge for a declaw.

Just a note on the declawing - This site is very anti-declaw, so you will not find many here to support this. It has been outlawed in many countries as it is considered cruel.

From the forum rules:

4. This website is anti-declawing. Understand that if you are pro-declaw in your posts, you will encounter opposition. Please learn more about alternatives for declawing here in our forums as well as on our website itself. http://www.thecatsite.com/a/declawing-more-than-just-a-manicure
 
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