Help! My cat is exhibiting strange behavior! (Licking backside)

Hi,

I know this may sound funny, but my cat is obsessively licking it's anus and around that area.

She has shutting herself away for the past 2 days, staying under the bed for hours at a time rarely coming out. She also meows in pain when I pet her around her backside (I tried to look for visible signs of something wrong.)

Does anyone know what the culprit could be?


My cat is a 10 year old domestic short hair female with hyperthyroidism. She was actually at the vet right before this started to happen. She received testing because she is about to receive Radioactive iodine therapy for the hyperthyroidism. This included urinalysis, so I'm wondering if she may have gotten an infection or something.

Thanks for any answers anyone may have.

If she appears to be in pain and is hiding, I'd *highly recommend* calling your vet! They will be your best source of help for this. Good luck- I hope your kitty is feeling better soon!

Could be worms or something. I can't help you much but with this much licking and the hiding there is definately something wrong. You need to at least call thee vet and see what they think. I think the cat needs to be seen again. Could be an anal gland problem too. The fact that she is hiding worries me.

BTW, only post one time, in one forum. We will see it eventually and reply.

Most likely her anal glands need to be expressed - Please see your VET!!

Originally Posted by Hell603

Most likely her anal glands need to be expressed - Please see your VET!!

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What do you mean by expressed?

It sure sounds like blocked anal glands.They do hurt and most cats do lick at the area. Time to be seen by your vet.

Anal gland are 2 scent glands located at the edge of the anus. Normally when a cat defecates the anal glands will empty as the cat is going in the litterbox, but sometimes the scent material will get too thick or the opening will become plugged and the material can't come out. The body continues to make the scent material so the glands end up expanding and getting very painfull and eventually will rupture causing an anal gland abscess. The best thing is to get your kitty in to the vet and have them manually empty the anal glands before it gets to the point of rupturing.

Alright well the night I made this thread, I took her to the 24 hour emergency clinic. She had an abscess inside her anus that was filled with puss. The vet had to drain it and now she has a big hole inside the side of her butt. Poor kitty.

She has pain meds and antibiotics and I have to clean the area 3x a day. The followup appt with the vet went well and my cat is recovering well. She should be back to normal in a few days. Thank you for the advice!

Originally Posted by coldfusion

Alright well the night I made this thread, I took her to the 24 hour emergency clinic. She had an abscess inside her anus that was filled with puss. The vet had to drain it and now she has a big hole inside the side of her butt. Poor kitty.

She has pain meds and antibiotics and I have to clean the area 3x a day. The followup appt with the vet went well and my cat is recovering well. She should be back to normal in a few days. Thank you for the advice!

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That is good news. Honestly when the experienced folks around here advise a vet visit, they really know what they are talking about. Your poor kitty was obviously in pain and hiding under the bed. I'm so so glad you took her to the vet and had her cared for.

Originally Posted by Yosemite

That is good news. Honestly when the experienced folks around here advise a vet visit, they really know what they are talking about. Your poor kitty was obviously in pain and hiding under the bed. I'm so so glad you took her to the vet and had her cared for.

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I just wish the vet wasn't so expensive! This entire event cost me $500!

Alas, the kittah is worth every penny.

Unfortunately Loki's right anal gland errupted last year - but now I know to look for the signs.

Loki now goes 3 x a year to have his anal glands expressed to avoid the same problem - better safe than sorry.

Ask your Vet about regular follow up schedule so you and your baby won't have to go through this again.

Glad she is heal and on the way to recovery!!