My cat has chronically impacted anal glands and needs to get them expressed several times a year. It is very painful for him! I've been advised that he should get the anal glands removed surgically. Is this the right decision? I'm worried that there might be complications from the surgery because he is a small cat, and most anal gland surgeries are done for larger animals like dogs, and also because most vets don't do this regularly. Is this a surgery that should be done by a specialist?
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Anal gland surgery - is it the right decision?
- Thread starter meeeowth
- Start Date
Has your vet done anal gland surgery on a cat before? Have they fully evaluated if your cat is a good candidate for the surgery? I know there are risks with even the simplest of surgeries, but as long as your vet has experience and has deemed your cat a good candidate, the chances of complications are minimal. If things go well--and they likely will--it will truly help your cat. Like any good cat parent, you are worried and overthinking things. I am not saying that to invalidate your feelings. (Hex, I have twelve cats and get myself worked about them when they are just going for a check-up!) You are trying to do what is best for your cat and second-guessing that.
I know my vet does anal gland surgeries because it has been discussed for my Astrid. I am unsure if she has had specialist training for it, or if it is just something that typical vets can do. (She did use to work in a zoo, so maybe she has? I am unsure.) Perhaps someone else will know the answer and respond.
I know my vet does anal gland surgeries because it has been discussed for my Astrid. I am unsure if she has had specialist training for it, or if it is just something that typical vets can do. (She did use to work in a zoo, so maybe she has? I am unsure.) Perhaps someone else will know the answer and respond.
Elphaba09
gave you my answer, almost word for word. Ask those questions, if there is a question of experience, request a referral to another vet who has it. But get that surgery done. Your baby will be a much happier cat if he doesn't have to go through that "I'm too full" feeling, followed by having his fanny squeezed!- Thread Starter Thread Starter
- #4
One of my dogs had anal gland removal and did fine...but that only reinforces your belief that the surgery is safer in dogs so does not help much. I have taken my present dog, and one of my cats, to specialists because I wanted a more experienced and highly trained vet to treat them. In the case of the dog (who was not the same one who had the anal gland surgery), he was high risk for anesthesia so his vet gave me a referral to a specialty clinic where the surgery was done, completely uneventfully.
