Anal Gland Problem?

Hi all, I'm trying to find out how to fix the absolutely vile smell that emanates from my cat every so often. It comes from her butt and sometimes there's even a little bit of clear liquid (ew). After reading other posts it definitely sounds like it's an anal gland issue - the smell is incredibly pungent but not really poo-like. 

Now, this only happens once every 3 or 4 months and always goes away on its own within a few hours. She had her annual checkup just a few months ago and it slipped my mind to ask about it, but the vet didn't notice anything amiss in that region - I remember he took her temperature anally so I'm sure he would've noticed if the glands were impacted or something. So my question is: do I need to go back to the vet to have them expressed every time the smell happens, or since it always seems to go away on its own, is it ok to let it go away naturally? She doesn't show any symptoms of discomfort like scooting or licking.

Other stats:

- She's 1.5 years old

- Indoor-only

- No other pets

- No recent food changes

The one and only time I had that problem the vet assistant expressed the anal glands and that was it.  Maybe they need to be "cleaned" out completely so that the problem doesn't  keep on coming back?

Well if she doesn't show any signs of being impacted, I think it's best to leave it. I know that if you have a dog or cat with recurring anal sac issues, you need to be shown how to express them properly so you don't do any damage. Our vet did that once when Pushy was young and we've never seen anything since.
Maybe a proper expression by the vet would clear it up for good.

One of my cats used to be expressed by a vet two to three times a year. He doesn't have the problem anymore. I don't know why, but i think the problem stopped when he started inhaler for his respiratory problem, and we switched cat litter to non clay. Probably coincidence. 

Originally Posted by paperwaffle  

So my question is: do I need to go back to the vet to have them expressed every time the smell happens, or since it always seems to go away on its own, is it ok to let it go away naturally? She doesn't show any symptoms of discomfort like scooting or licking.

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Some cats may need their glands expressed regularily. The glands aren't impacted, just full and for some reason aren't being expressed normally as the cat poops. You can do this at home. Ask the vet to show you how to do this or Google for videos on expressing cat anal glands. It can be little messy so wear old clothes and do this in the bathroom on top of an old towel and have wet paper towels or cat wipes on hand to clean up the cat's butt afterwards.

My kitty had to had his anal glands done last summer.  This was the first time in the 8 years  had him.  He was crying when he had to poop so I took him to the vet.  Just recently I had to put him to sleep because of intestinal cancer; not sure if this was related.  He was 13.  Not saying your cat has cancer but that is seemed out that this had never happened with his glands before.

Mine needs his done every couple months. They just get filled and don't drain on their own. I have the vet do it. The idea of doing it myself never appealed to me.

Does not appeal to me either.  But just think how the cat feels about it.  My vet said it does not hurt but is very uncomfortable process.  My poor little guy was always very good for the vet.  After having this procedure she went to touch him after and he almost bit her.

LTS3 said:

 
Some cats may need their glands expressed regularily. The glands aren't impacted, just full and for some reason aren't being expressed normally as the cat poops. You can do this at home. Ask the vet to show you how to do this or Google for videos on expressing cat anal glands. It can be little messy so wear old clothes and do this in the bathroom on top of an old towel and have wet paper towels or cat wipes on hand to clean up the cat's butt afterwards.

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Okay, I read this out loud to my six and then told them, "Don't even think about it."

Thanks everyone! Sounds like this just varies from cat to cat - our family cat growing up never had to have her glands expressed as far as I know, so it surprised me that my very young kitty might need it! Guess we're off to the vet...at the moment dropping some cash sounds more appealing than doing it myself in the bathtub with old clothing. 

Give it a try at home.  My kitty would not have allowed this.  No touching his person unless his idea.  LOL

First time my cat got expressed, he was walking funny for the rest of the day (as if having hemorrhoids). 

I rather have a vet tech do it than try it myself. The smell is overpowering. 

@paperwaffle Hopefully you'll luck out as I did.  Knock on wood, it was a1 time only for Sadie and that was a couple of years ago.  Have fun!

ankitty said:

 
The smell is overpowering. 

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The gland secretions smell horrible And it may be brownish in color and kind of clumpy and may shoot out. Hence why it's best to do this in the bathroom wearing old clothes. I have to express my Aby's glands every so often. He doesn't mind too muuch. He tends to squat and squirm a bit while I'm squeezing around back there.

I think I'm just a sissy I still have to have the vet do it. I've tried but could never follow through [emoji]128547[/emoji]