Anal Gland Removal - Good Or Bad?

Blu has been dragging her bottom for several months now (we just got her in September 05). We have been to the vet several times since she arrived, and she has been wormed, test for parasites, had her glands expressed at least 3 times, and been put on an antibiotic to make sure they weren't infected.

We have changed her diet more than once to try to rule out a food allergy. Nutro seemed to be the worst for her, we tried Science Diet with no luck, and now we are on Eukanuba (which the vet recommended).

Anyway, she drags every time she poops and sometimes out of the blue. I usually yell at her when she does it, but she pretty much ignores me and does it anyway.

Last night, after returning from the movies, we found a mass of dark pasty fluid outside her litter box. It almost had the consistency of runny poop, but had very little smell. I picked Blu up and noticed a strong smell and checked her behind and we could tell that she had gland drainage because it smelled TERRIBLE! We cleaned her backside with a cloth and warm water, and I then decided to try to drain her glands myself (I've seen the vet do it several times). I was able to get a moderate amount of fluid out with toilet paper and some pressure.

I really think the thick stuff we found outside the box was from her glands, because it didn't appear to be poop, and she always sits down to drag and she could have expressed her glands by doing that.

This is becoming an expensive problem with all the vet bills, changing foods, etc, plus we are now going to have to have the carpets cleaned.

Has anyone on this board had their cat's glands removed surgically, and if so, what was your experience? I don't want to put Blu thru any unnecessary pain, but it's getting to the point that I almost can't walk across my floors barefooted without getting grossed out.

I've never had my cats' anals removed, but I have had my dog's removed. She was expressing liquid out of them even if I expressed them often. The surgery is sometimes difficult. If they don't get all of the gland out, it can cause big problems. If you decide to do this, please make sure your vet has had a lot of experience with it. The after care can be hard too, as the area leaks almost constantly and it has to be kept clean, and they rub their butts on things a lot. I actually left my dog at work because she was leaking bloody fluid all over the house. I left her there for about 5 days while everything healed. The after effects, however, I couldn't be happier with. She never has problems anymore and I never have to smell that yucky smell anymore!! I doubt that the stuff around her litterbox was anal glands, as they usually smell really bad, but I could be wrong....

I certainly wouldn't have the anal glands removed 'just because' but it looks like you have investigated every possible cause of the bottom dragging. Not only is it gross for you, but it's also uncomfortable and possibly painful for Blu. Have a chat with the vet but it sounds like it may be the solution to her (and your) problems.

Just to add, it's probably best not to try and drain the glands yourself. Although you've seen it done by the vet, he/she hasn't been able to teach you how and see you do it.

I'm glad that you're very dedicated to figuring out a fix for your little kitty, however, yelling at her is something you really should not do. She can't help the behavior, and having her beloved mommy yell at her for it has to make it worse for her.

Dexter, my male kitty, has a chronic scent sac plugging problem.
I urge you to research carefully before you consider surgery.
There are quite a few threads in the Health Forum about this.
Use the search tool & look for anal sac...anal gland. or any other words that might bring up threads about this

Here are 2 links to a couple of my previous threads.
Before I joined TCS, I was unable to find good info about scent sac problems in cats...only dogs.
If I ever decide that this surgery is necessary, I will get a referral to a board certified surgeon, who had a lot of experience in scent sac removal. If it is not done correctly...the effects can be devastating to your cat.
I will only do it if Dexter's life is in danger or the quality of his life extremely poor.

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...light=anal+sac

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...light=anal+sac

Please remember...your kitty is not doing this on purpose.
I hope that you find answers that will help.

I've been looking into the surgery for my youngest dog, Buddha. This poor kid has the worlds worst anal glands - he'll have them cleaned out, and the very next day he's trying to chew his butt off again.

Many a day I've stood in the bathtub with my hand up a Newfoundland thinking... "somehow.. this is not what I thought I'd be doing with my life"

But, I've heard some very scary things about the surgery like making sure you find someone who specializes in this to do the surgery because there are so many nerves back there... if something goes wrong, he could end up in doggie diapers for life. Geez that's just scary.

I'm by no means an expert on this and I'm still working to solve his anal gland problems... but I just thought I'd throw in my 2 cents

A friend of mine has a West Highland Terrier that had that surgery, and it was a MESS. The dog is in diapers most of the time now. DON'T DO IT is the word from here.

I know that I shouldn't yell at her for doing it, but it is very frustrating to see my pet using the carpet for toilet paper. I have heard that sometimes animals will do that even when there isn't a health problem, either because they don't want to clean themselves or out of habit. I was hoping that I could alter her behavior by letting her know that I don't like what she's doing.

The surgery sounds rather scary, and I hope it doesn't come to that. I am going to try a different vet to see if I can get this resolved thru medication/diet.

I have got to do something, because my boyfriend (who lives with me) is already suggesting that I "get rid" of her because of this.

By the way, what brand of food are you guys are using for this problem?

My vet recommended a high fiber food, like a light food to see if that would work, sometimes it does but it didn't in my dog's case...

Dexter's vet recommends a high fiber diet. His theory is that a larger stool will help express his scent sacs. I also think that it is very important that he stay well hydrated. Along with a high fiber dry food...I give him wet food with lots of gravy & plenty of drinking water.

xocats,

I read the threads that you linked to. Thanks for posting them. It feels better knowing that I am not alone in this. I have had other cats before Blu, but have never had this type of problem, so it's all new.

Would you mind telling me what brand of food you are using? As I said before, I am feeding Blu Eukanuba Weight Control formula (the vet said she was too heavy at 12 lbs). She bled out of her butt when I fed her Nutro, and bled some while eating Science Diet, but I haven't noticed any bleeding with Eukanuba.

FYI, the vet says she might have a food allergy and may need to be put on a prescription diet. Does this sound like a good idea?

How is Dexter doing now with his sacs? Any better?

Dexter is eating Nutro Complete Care Wt. Mgmt. dry & pouches. Sometimes his sister Sadie has loose poops so recently I tried Royal Canin Skin Care 30 but the higher fat content upset Sadie's tummy so they are back on Nutro.

I may try a prescription diet. I think that it might be a very good idea.
For some kitties there are no easy answers to this chronic problem.

Dexter's still plug, I have them expressed at his vet's office every 2 to 3 months.
We must not give up. We are no longer alone with this.
We must keep researching, posting & hoping that somehow our kitties will thrive.

Just to throw my 2 cents in. My Levi has mild Anal Gland issues. I express them myself about once a month. If I do this what I get is normal liquid. If I wait until I can smell that it needs to be done (super nasty), I usually get stuff slightly thicker than toothpaste, but never any blood. My sister is actually currently going through a problem with her dog. The vet is infusing the glands with anti-biotics. Don't know if this is what your vet is doing, or if your using oral anti-biotics, just thought I add that little bit of info.

Dax is still having problems with her sacs too.

We had cultures done and no special bacteria were present (other than the ordinary), we have tried changing her diet, adding fiber - nothing seems to help.

I hate knowing she gets uncomfy and irritated so often - I'm just terrified of putting her through surgery, especially when it could leave her incontinent

I might go talk to our new vet again about our options.

I would like to know the causes of scent sac problems.
I was told by a cat practice vet (not a board specialist) that research is not done by large companies or vet schools, because it is very expensive and the potential to make money does not exist because this disease is not common in cats.
How sad for our affected kitties....

Let's continue to share our experiences. Maybe together, we will discover some solutions that will help our kitties, at the very least, live comfortably with this chronic disease.

Originally Posted by slitty_kittay

Dax is still having problems with her sacs too.

I'm just terrified of putting her through surgery, especially when it could leave her incontinent

I might go talk to our new vet again about our options.

Click to expand...

Originally Posted by xocats

I would like to know the causes of scent sac problems.
I was told by a cat practice vet (not a board specialist) that research is not done by large companies or vet schools, because it is very expensive and the potential to make money does not exist because this disease is not common in cats.
How sad for our affected kitties....

Click to expand...

It just doesn't seem fair - cats always seem to take second place. I think the problem is more common than we realise. I think the best thing we can do is to keep sharing our ideas and experiences, and keep forcing the issue with our vets!

Sometimes I wonder about the wisdom of adding fiber to create a larger stool with the intention of pressing on the sacs and naturally expressing them. Doesn't this create a large, yet soft, stool?? How is it going to express the sacs if it is soft?

I have thought about experimenting with a more raw, wild diet and making sure Dax has plenty of access to grass shoots etc instead of fiber additives or mixes. Maybe some cats are just prone to it, I dont know

We had the anal glands surgically removed from one of our Maine Coons.  Not sure we would sign up for it again as the recovery and aftercare was difficult.

I understand that the anal glands represent the cats "identiy"  Wonder if anyone else has had problems with other cats in the household.  We have another Main coon who seems to be in a depression since the surgery on the other cat.  We have had every possible test, blood, xray, ultra sound, etc.,  to rule out anything physical.

He definitely sleeps more, hides, and seems withdrawn.  Still eating normally but we have to bring the food to him.

Appreciate any input.  Latest vet recommendation is anti-anxiety meds.  However, we are not going to bring him back to the vet unnecessarily as this seems to add to his stress.