Why does a kitten smell from under its tail?

Many people don’t even realize that cats have paraanal glands and what function they perform. However, recently, in animals that live in apartments, their blockage and inflammation are becoming more common.

That is why owners should know why cats need paraanal glands, what leads to blockage, and also how to prevent the development of pathology.

How to get rid of unpleasant odors in your apartment and home

Many owners solve the problem of odors radically - wash everyone, wash everything and wash it. However, without finding out the cause and providing assistance, the method can have a lightning-fast effect, but not long-lasting.

Fetid and putrid odor from the mouth

Pleasant communication consists of a verbal component.

But in addition to words, on a subconscious level, a person evaluates his interlocutor by appearance, gestures and breath. More than a quarter of the world's population suffers from halitosis.

This is why most chewing gum advertisements are based on breath freshening. Indeed, menthol flavoring perfectly neutralizes putrid breath.

And clean breathing creates an attractive image of a person. An unpleasant odor can create problems in communication, cause discomfort and self-doubt; the extreme manifestation of this condition is depression.

It happens, of course, that a person exaggerates the problem and it seems to him that his breath is stale. With the so-called pseudohalitosis, a psychotherapist who will understand the causes of self-doubt helps a lot.

Signs of pathology

Signs of dysfunction of the paraanal glands in a furry pet should be detected by the owner in a timely manner. This will allow you to identify the causes of this condition as soon as possible and avoid unpleasant consequences for the cat’s health.

Owners should pay attention to the following symptoms that indicate inflammation of the paraanal gland in a cat:

Weakness and apathy.
An unpleasant odor from the animal's body that does not disappear after washing.
Decreased appetite.
Swelling and soreness of the anus.
Increased body temperature (in some cases).
“Riding on your butt” on the floor or other rough surface.
Meowing during defecation due to painful sensations.
Itching in the anus and skin in the back of the body.
Problems with defecation – the cat cannot go to the toilet.
Hair loss in the tail area.
Constant licking under the tail.

Sources of unpleasant odor from cats and their prevention

If you suspect something is wrong, it is extremely important to quickly identify the sources of the unpleasant odor. Their prevention directly depends on the causes, or more precisely, the processes that are disrupted in the body of pets.

An unpleasant odor can come from the skin, fur, mouth, ears, etc. It is important to understand that it is not the cat itself that smells, but the fluids that are secreted by the body.

Odor from wool and leather

An unpleasant odor from fur and skin most often appears during or immediately after puberty. Owners of young cats often face such problems. Domestic cats live in unnatural conditions, so they do not have the opportunity to mate when they enter the rut. The body experiences a deficiency, so it begins to produce more sex hormones to attract a partner.

Against the backdrop of raging sexual instincts, young cats begin to mark their territory. The cat's fur and skin acquires a pungent, nutmeg odor. Many owners note that the smell lingers throughout the entire home and is impossible to get rid of.

The only method to solve the problem is timely castration of non-breeding animals and the necessary care for cats that are subject to breeding.

It is important to remember that doctors recommend spaying cats before puberty, because if the pet begins to mark, it can become a habit.

Unpleasant odor from the mouth

An unpleasant odor from the mouth can appear when:

Diseases of the teeth and oral cavity.
Chronic and acute diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
At the stage of eruption of molars.

If an unpleasant odor appears, inspect your pet's mouth. The teeth should be white, the gums should be pink and firm. If you find any inflammation, it is better to consult a veterinarian. If your cat's mouth looks normal, but the breath has an unpleasant odor, the cause may be an incorrect diet or a gastrointestinal disease.

Note! During the eruption of molars, the gums can form hoods under which food becomes trapped. The leftover food begins to rot, resulting in inflammation of the gums and an unpleasant odor from the mouth.

Strong odor of urine

A strong smell of urine may indicate:

Incorrect diet.
Chronic or acute disease of the genitourinary system.
The hormonal system is not functioning properly.

Some foods can affect the acidity of urine. With prolonged improper feeding of a pet, its urine can oxidize or become alkalized, resulting in a strong and very persistent odor.

In most cases, a strong smell of urine indicates stagnation due to urolithiasis or compression of the ureters. The cat cannot empty its bladder in a timely manner, as a result of which the urine becomes dark in color and has a pungent, ammonia-like odor.

Note! During puberty and/or during the rut, a cat's urine begins to smell stronger.

Ear smell

Unpleasant odor from the ears can occur when:

The presence of prohibited foods in the diet.
Inflammatory process (otitis).
Ear mite infestation.
Food allergies.

A cat's ears are covered with sensitive skin that secretes large amounts of oil and wax to protect it. If the glands do not work properly, the amount of secretions can increase sharply and lead to an unpleasant odor. Food allergies can also cause overactive mucous membranes.

The most common cause of bad ear odor is improper feeding.

Cats have been known to develop smelly ears when fed sweet or starchy foods. Smoked foods, which affect the functioning of the body's mucous membranes, are also strictly prohibited.

Otitis media can occur due to hypothermia, bacterial infection, injury, etc. Inflammation of the ear canals is detected by pain, restlessness of the cat and redness of the skin. To treat otitis, depending on its severity, ear drops or complex therapy are used.

Note! If your cat's ears smell bad or there is a brown coating on the ear flaps, contact your veterinarian immediately. Most likely, you are experiencing symptoms of an ear mite infestation.

The smell from under the tail

An unpleasant odor from under the tail most often occurs due to blockage or inflammation of the anal glands. The root cause of the disease is hereditary factors or improper feeding.

To eliminate the problem, the cat's anal glands are cleaned in a clinic setting. Afterwards, symptomatic therapy, diet and the necessary examination are prescribed. It is important to remember that if the root cause of blocked anal glands is not addressed, this problem will haunt the cat for life.

Smell from the nose

An unpleasant, sweetish or rotten smell from a cat’s nose indicates a fungal infection of the mucous membranes. If you notice whitish or yellow, thick discharge, the odor most likely comes from pus that has accumulated in the sinuses.

No pet is immune from fungal infection. However, infection with fungi occurs only against the background of a decrease in the body's immune defense. Basic nasal discharge most often indicates infection with a viral or bacterial disease that occurs in an acute form.

When to contact a veterinarian

Be sure to seek advice from a specialist if the appearance of an unpleasant odor is accompanied by:

an increase or decrease in temperature indicators;
refusal of food;
refusal of water;
restless, anxious behavior;
a sharp deterioration in the quality of coat and skin;
intoxication of the body;
problems with bowel movements and bladder emptying.

If an unpleasant odor emanates from a cat, it means that it is either not being properly cared for or the animal is sick. If hygiene standards are observed, it is better for owners to show their pet to a veterinarian, who will conduct a comprehensive examination, identify the factors that provoked the appearance of a “bad” odor and prescribe competent treatment.

When a cat stinks, there are physiological and pathological reasons. In the first case, the situation is less dangerous, and the unpleasant odor is associated with the diet and characteristics of the pet’s body. If the pet suddenly begins to smell bad, while other unpleasant symptoms and changes in the cat’s behavior are recorded, then this indicates pathology. If your kitten starts to smell, it is recommended to take him to the vet.

What reasons influence the problem?

Bad odors are observed in an ordinary cat and a sterilized one, and their root cause is not always a pathological condition. If there is a smell of urine coming from under your pet’s tail, this indicates the following factors:

Incorrect location for emptying the bladder. If a kitten or an adult has a tray that is not the right size, then it is emptied by and the urine remains on the floor, which, with a high probability, the animal will soon step into with its paws.
Insufficient tray hygiene. When such a cat item is rarely cleaned, soon the cats also stink.
Low quality toilet filler. It is worth keeping an eye on your cat when visiting the toilet, as some litters do not absorb urine well and it ends up on your pet’s paws. It is easy to get rid of the smell by replacing the litter in the tray with a better degree of absorption.
Poor placement of the tray. If the owners notice that the cat has urinated in the wrong place, then perhaps this is how he marked the territory or the location of the toilet is simply not suitable for him. The foul odor is caused by the animal stepping on its own urine.

Physiology is the basis of unpleasant odor

Often the problem is resolved after the animal is neutered.

A strong and pungent odor from a pet can be a result of sexual activity or an unbalanced diet. A neutered cat is less likely to smell as unpleasant as an unsterilized cat. During sexual activity, the pet produces urine that smells worse than during normal periods, while it actively marks the house. An unpleasant “aroma” permeates not only the marked areas, but also the animal itself. To solve this problem, they resort to castration or sterilization, after which the pet will stop stinking.

Veterinarians attribute problems in diet to the physiological reasons why kittens become smelly. The smell is caused by an increased concentration of uric acid, due to the large amount of fish in the diet. If even a small drop of urine gets on the fur, the cat stinks very much.

Pathological factors

An unpleasant odor that appears from a cat that has begun to smell like feces or rot deserves special attention from the owners. If a similar “aroma” appears, it may signal some health problems in the animal. When a bad smell appears in the fur area or the cat’s paw smells unpleasant, there are the following pathological reasons:

Sometimes an unpleasant odor from a pet is caused by a skin disease.

Dehydration of the body. The level of urea in urine depends on how much water the cat drinks. If there is not enough of it, then its concentration increases, which is why the urine stinks of ammonia. Pets with this diagnosis do not live long if they do not receive veterinary care in a timely manner.
Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract or dental type. In this case, the cat smells of fish or other unpleasant odors in the mouth area.
Diseases of the urinary system. Stones in the system, inflammatory processes and other pathologies can cause your pet to smell bad. A sterilized cat or neutered cat especially often faces this problem, since after sterilization the risks of stagnant processes increase.
Hypothyroidism or symptoms of diabetes. After pets with similar diagnoses excrete urine, it has a pungent odor.
Oncological diseases of different localization.
Signs of otitis. If a cat smells in the ear area, this indicates an inflammatory process in the ears caused by bacteria.
Dermatological diseases. Often for this reason, an old cat stinks, whose metabolic processes are disrupted and skin diseases are often recorded.

Reasons for “bad” behavior

The main factor behind cats urinating frequently outside of the litter box is stress. It can be caused by other pets or the arrival of strangers. The cat must feel safe and at peace, only then can the problem be solved.

Reward your cat every time she uses the litter box to go to the toilet. Remember to clean and wash it with disinfectant on a regular basis. Each animal, if there are several of them, should have its own cat litter box. You might even consider storing an extra tray.

To remove odor, it is fundamentally recommended to castrate the cat and sterilize the cat.

Symptoms

Watery diarrhea, which leads to the characteristic “wet tail” symptom. However, loose stools appear last: initially, there is a lack of appetite and lethargy.

The incubation period of the disease is about 5-7 days.

Diarrhea does not always mean colibacillosis. Sometimes loose stools in an animal occur due to stress, changes in diet, and other “harmless” factors. Any diarrhea is a cause for concern, so you should contact your veterinarian at the first sign of it.

Prevention measures

In order to maintain the health of the pet and not face such a problem as an unpleasant, pungent odor from the cat, owners should follow a number of recommendations:

Maintain cleanliness. Regular cleaning of the litter box, washing and replacing covers on the cat's bedding will prevent even the faintest cat odor from spreading throughout the room.
Bathe your cat as the need arises, taking into account age, lifestyle, and coat type.
Take care of the cleanliness of the coat, comb it regularly, inspect the ears, nose, mouth, promptly clearing them of dirt.

Selection of food and proper feeding. No less important than maintaining hygiene standards is proper feeding of the cat. When using ready-made feeds, it is necessary to give preference to high-quality, good products. The use of low-quality industrial feed for a long time often causes an unpleasant odor from the cat’s fur, feces, and also from the oral cavity.

It is completely necessary to exclude foods such as salt, sugar, spices, smoked meats, sweets, and flour products from your pet’s diet.

Feeding such forbidden delicacies often provokes food allergies, damage to the sebaceous and skin glands, leading to the appearance of a foul odor.

What to do and how to deal with the problem?

It is possible to get rid of the unpleasant cat odor after identifying its origin. Sterilized cats require special attention, so the specialist must clarify whether sterilization was carried out. Before selecting treatment for a cat, they review its diet, since the problem is often associated with poor nutrition. It is possible to get rid of the disorder in a pet using the medications indicated in the table.

Group	Name
Medicinal shampoos	"Oksidex"
	"Baktoderm"
	Hexadene
Antibiotics	"Cephalexin"
	"Clindamycin"
	"Ampicillin"
Drops for ear diseases or parasites	"Leopard"

In advanced cases, when the pet smells strongly and veterinary remedies do not help, surgery is required. A radical measure is prescribed for cancer, serious problems with the kidneys and other internal organs. After the operation, it is necessary to pay increased attention to the cat; it is recommended to feed it tasty and proper food and take care of its hygiene.

>UNPLEASANT SMELL FROM CAT

When is it necessary to see a doctor?

If the owner himself could not cope with the problem, then the intervention of a veterinarian is necessary.
If you can’t get rid of your pet’s smell on your own by eliminating the provoking factor, or your pet stinks for a long time, then you should see a veterinarian. You should urgently see a specialist if your cat emits an ammonia or acetone “aroma.” You need to be especially careful with cats, since at an early age the diseases appear more acutely and progress more quickly. Be sure to contact a veterinary clinic if your cat not only stinks, but also exhibits other symptoms:

changed stool - color, consistency, smell;
frequent vomiting and nausea;
loss of appetite;
lethargy and apathy;
poor pet appearance;
hair loss;
restlessness and pain when emptying the bladder.

Return to contents

The cat smells bad and another problem...

But I keep my promises and answer even such absurd questions.

We all stink sooner or later. This is me already turning to you, dear old lady.

We will stink from old age, or rather from illness. Urinating on itself, your cat, who lived with an unbearable owner for about 11 years, began to slowly “give up.”

Are you maliciously demanding useful advice from me? I give you as much as 10 so that it will last you for the rest of your life.

* You personally don’t have to do anything - you’ll only cause harm.

Your cat smells like urine - very pungent and specific.

Take the carrier and place the cat, having previously made an appointment at the veterinary clinic.

There they will tell you why you are suffocating from the stench.

* By mercilessly chasing the cat, it will stink even more, “dropping” urine in the wrong place.

Cats, you know, are vengeful animals.

* After visiting the veterinarian, treat the animal immediately. If you trust a doctor who associates the stench with a serious and incurable disease of the internal organs (for example, extensive kidney damage from multiple cystic formations), you will be offered to euthanize the cat, and not strangle it, as you wish.

* Even after the poor animal is gone, the stench of urine will linger in a lonely apartment for a long time.

* I’m not an expert in cleaning rooms, but it clearly requires not superficial sanitization, but thorough one, so that the smell of urine gradually disappears.

* It is possible that you will have to throw away some particularly absorbent furniture.

* We all hope that things won’t come to the point of euthanasia, and you will have to get rid of the stench with medications.

As a rule, these are tablets and a series of injections. Therefore, gather your last strength to take the full course prescribed by your veterinarian.

* Unclean cats, who are not initially accustomed to pooping, urinate wherever they want, stinking so much that the neighbors are banging on the wall.

* In advanced cases, it is not possible to correct the animal’s behavior. Too much time wasted.

* Maria Osipovna, I don’t tell you as a reproach.

I recently watched a program where a lonely elderly woman kept more than a dozen cats in her apartment, which meowed heart-rendingly, disturbing the peace of those living nearby.

There was no mention of urea.

Either the cats are too well-groomed, or she doesn’t play football with them, like you, her only one.

The material was prepared by me, Edwin Vostryakovsky.

Share the page on social networks

Pet club forums > Talk about animals > Cats, cats, kittens... > Skunk cat?

View full version : Skunk cat?

horror. just a nightmare. suddenly, out of the blue, our kitty can release SUCH an aroma from her “organs” that she simply can’t breathe. :this: what is this? what explains this? and how to deal with it? good people, help as much as you can!:flashing: :flashing: :flashing:

What do you feed? Do you have a gastrointestinal disorder? The food doesn't suit her

no, the food is OK. :cool!: You probably didn’t understand - I didn’t mean farts, but discharge not from the butt. Maybe it's in some glands?

Oh, well, I don't even know. I have had cats for many years, of different ages and origins, but to smell... never. I would see a doctor immediately. Sorry for the banal advice.

mine sometimes lets me in but it doesn’t smell from my butt

Go to the doctor and have him clean the anal glands, if you don’t want to do this yourself - you need to press on both sides so that their contents come out. The stench is terrible and simply terrible, and the cat will break out, that’s why I recommend it to a specialist.

Meow, what are paraanal glands???? and where are they??? I want to smell mine

I’m not sure that Skvor writes specifically about these secretions, but you never know... These are glands located at the exit of the an. holes. Animals need the (smelly) substance to mark their territory. Only now many pets have lost the ability to empty them on their own, blockage occurs, which is harmful. When clogged, the glands increase in size plus a smelly discharge. Normally, they should clean themselves during bowel movements.

oh how terrible it smells here

We had the same thing, but with a shepherd. We cleaned ourselves wearing gas masks... Cats also have the same paranal glands. It looks like the same case.

Should a healthy cat smell?

Nature took care of the hunting cat and provided for the absence of smell. “Washing” the cat is of great importance. Animal saliva contains lysozyme. This is an enzyme that, when contacted by microorganisms, immediately destroys their membranes.

The smell of flesh is the smell of microorganisms. It is they who, by multiplying, reveal their presence. The higher the population, the stronger the odor emanating from the microbe's breeding site. By destroying the microflora on itself, the cat normalizes it and prevents reproduction.

The cat washes itself often because the enzyme is very unstable. When it comes into contact with air, it quickly breaks down and must be applied again and again. If a cat feels good, it will not be lazy. Constant washing is a guarantee that there will be no odor.

Hygiene rules for cats

A healthy cat takes care of itself. She spends a third of the day on this. However, the owner is also obliged to take part in this.

Cat hygiene consists of caring for:

skin and hair. This includes bathing, combing while simultaneously examining and palpating the skin. To do this, you can use special shampoos and foams, combs and comb mittens. (For long-haired ones, you need a set of different combs). The animal should be bathed 2 times a month; hairless breeds that sweat profusely in summer should be bathed daily. If the animal is unwell, bathing is not used. You need to comb it 2 times a week (daily during the molting period);

ears . They should be cleaned with a cotton swab dipped in warm water or zoo lotion. Using smooth movements and turning the swab clockwise, you can easily clean your cat's ears. If the accumulation of dirt is large, dry and old, then you can drop a few drops of lotion, sunflower oil or water into the cavity. The animal will shake out the excess, and what remains will soak the crusts. Next, you can use a cotton swab. The hygiene procedure is carried out once a week;

oral cavity. The removal of stones and plaque should be carried out by a specialist in the clinic. For prevention, the cat should be given solid food and allowed to chew on soft bones and cartilage.

Vanya cat.

There are no unimportant diseases.
There is a widely held opinion that if a cat “rides” on its butt, then it is probably tormented by worms. True, this isn’t about your beloved and beloved pet, is it? You do not forget about regular anthelmintic measures (tablets, sweet suspensions or drops on the withers), as well as vaccinations against infections and treatment for fleas and other “bloodsuckers”. Then what is the reason? And the reason for such unusual and even unworthy behavior of your noble/high-ranking pet is that his anal glands (sinuses) are probably inflamed.

Having learned about this diagnosis (or rather diagnoses: paraproctitis, paraanal sinusitis), most visitors to veterinary clinics exclaim: what kind of misfortune is this? Well, first of all, the problem is not in the mouth, but precisely on the opposite part of the digestive tract.

The fact is that in the immediate vicinity of the anus (anus) in most mammals, the ducts of the paraanal glands open (para - from the Latin about, and anal - anal). These are small holes (as if pierced with a needle) located on the sides of the anus (they can be seen if you slightly open the anus). Normally, the secretion of these glands is constantly released during the act of defecation. However, in the case:

non-compliance with basic hygiene rules (accumulation of feces under the tail),

physical inactivity (coupled with obesity) and/or

unbalanced nutrition, leading to too soft or even loose stools,

these glands become inflamed, the secretion begins to accumulate in the capsule (cavity) of the gland and causes unpleasant pain in the animal. It is the release of a large amount of disgusting mass, both in appearance and smell, when pressing under the cat’s tail that is the main diagnostic sign of this disease.

In addition, inflammation very quickly spreads to the tissue surrounding the anus (even blood poisoning may eventually develop). Cats begin to intensively lick under their tails, ride on their butts, become restless or even aggressive.

If adequate measures are not taken in time and the ducts and capsule of the gland are not cleaned or washed, intense bacterial inflammation occurs and pus breaks out in the perineal area. It looks like a terrible ulcer (the skin in this area is thin and breaks easily) and, of course, requires immediate surgical intervention (and a decent amount of money, of course). Sometimes the matter can even result in partial loss of innervation of the hind limbs (paraparesis) and/or release of purulent contents into the abdominal cavity. Therefore, put your hands on your feet, put the cat in the carrier and run to the doctor.

Treatment or one in the field is not a warrior!

Treatment of paraanal problems is possible only in a veterinary clinic. If the disease is very advanced, then general anesthesia may even be required. In any case, no cat with a sound mind and strong memory will allow all the necessary procedures to be carried out on her without a fight. And in order to carry out complex treatment (especially during the initial treatment), it is necessary:

-correctly, firmly, securely fix the animal on the table (to avoid bloodshed, and in general for the possibility of treatment) and move the tail back as much as possible (one cat requires at least two people with secondary or higher veterinary education);

-squeeze out the purulent contents of the glands and rinse them through the catheter with an antiseptic solution (this is practically a jeweler’s work, since the cat is a small animal, and even an experienced doctor may not find the ducts of the required glands right away, and this... plus one more person for the same cat);

-and finally, inject the affected area with antibiotics and insert an anti-inflammatory suppository (or an ointment similar in effect) into the anus;

All this time, most of the cats scream heart-rendingly at the top of their lungs (and sometimes completely incommensurate with the pain they experience), and try to escape from the hands of the “torturers.” The spectacle, frankly speaking, is not for the faint of heart.

Prevention is the key to success

The area around the tail requires the same constant care as the eyes and ears (hygiene is the key to health, equally for all parts of the body). Moreover, there is nothing complicated in the specific prevention of paraproctitis. Regular (once a week, for example) squeezing the sinuses will almost certainly save your patient (and you, of course) from a lot of trouble. It is best to ask your doctor about how you can do this yourself (in technical and practical terms). One or two practical lessons and paraproctitis will forever forget the way to your home.

What are they needed for

Anal (paraanal) glands are special derivatives of sweat and sebaceous glands, the odorous, fetid (to the human nose, of course) secretion serves for communicative functions (marking territory or attracting individuals of the opposite sex, for example). The secretion of these glands also serves to scare away enemies (skunks are world famous thanks to these glands). The secretion of the paraanal sinuses not only has a completely unique smell, but is also much more durable than the most expensive perfume delights. Therefore, getting this natural “flavor” on clothes or furniture is extremely undesirable.

Roman Leonard, chief physician of the clinic.

Author: Site Administrator | 03/14/2016

Maria Osipovna is ready to strangle her own unwashed cat. He stinks so much of urine that it stops him from breathing. What should an old lady do? Put the poor guy to sleep or grow wiser?

For God's sake, forgive me, dear readers.

Signs of inflammation and abscess

Signs of inflammation develop gradually. They are accompanied by an increasing painful symptom. Due to pain and itching, the cat constantly licks the area of inflammation (tail and anus). The pet stops playing, spends time in solitude, practically does not move and constantly lies down. However, this is not the only symptom.

Other signs characteristic of inflammation of the paraanal glands:

weakness,
apathy,
unpleasant specific odor from the pet’s body (does not disappear after washing),
poor appetite (in later stages – refusal to eat),
painful bowel movement,
discharge from the anal glands.

With an abscess, this condition is accompanied by purulent or bloody discharge. In especially severe cases, body temperature rises. When stroking the affected area, the pet shows aggression and anxiety. Defecation is accompanied by severe pain, so the cat meows loudly on the tray.

Detailed description of the symptom

If an active and seemingly healthy cat has a stinking tail, then you should take a closer look at its diet. It may contain components that affect the smell of secretions from the paraanal glands. But first you need to exclude the following possible options:

Injury. After a fight or play with other animals, a cat may get injured in the tail area from claws or teeth. Minor scratches or bite marks heal within a few days, but there are times when an infection gets into the wound and an inflammatory process begins. It is characterized by swelling and redness of the affected area. The wound becomes covered with a crust, under which there are purulent masses. The affected area is very itchy, causing great discomfort to the animal. If you do not start treating the wound in a timely manner, then a fetid smell of rot will appear, which can be heard without even picking up the pet. At the initial stage, you should not ignore the cat’s increased attention to the area under the tail. And if, nevertheless, there are some wounds there, then it is recommended to treat them 2-3 times a day with an antiseptic solution. If even after this pus appears, then it is worth showing the animal to the veterinarian so that he can select effective antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Foreign body. This may come as a surprise to many, but animals can also injure themselves in the anus. This is especially true for pets who have free access to the street. But even completely domestic cats can turn over a cactus or other prickly plants on themselves. Even a small splinter can provoke an inflammatory process, which will cause an unpleasant odor from under the tail, strange behavior of the cat in the form of increased attention to the anus (constant licking, biting, rubbing against hard surfaces, etc.). In most cases, a foreign body can be removed without the help of a veterinarian, armed with tweezers and a magnifying glass (if it is, for example, a cactus needle). After removing the splinter, it is recommended to carefully treat the affected area with Miramistin or chlorhexidine.
Inflammation of the paraanal glands. This is already a relatively serious problem that can cause a lot of trouble not only for the animal, but also for the owners. If a cat collects and stagnates secretions in the excretory ducts, then sooner or later this will lead to inflammation. The owner can notice something is wrong by the behavior of his pet - scratching, licking or biting in the anus. It may even move your butt on the floor, since severe itching is considered the main symptom of inflammation of the paraanal glands. Well, the most characteristic sign is a fetid odor under the tail, which has never existed before. In advanced cases, purulent discharge from the anus may also be present. In such cases, it is necessary to clean the excretory ducts from stagnant secretions and sanitize the paraanal glands with an antiseptic solution. Some owners prefer to carry out this procedure at home on their own. This can be done if the veterinarian has previously shown you step by step how the procedure is carried out. After cleaning and sanitation, antibiotics may be prescribed if there is pus, or local ointments may be prescribed for inflamed skin in the anal area. Panthenol copes well with skin inflammation.
Inflammatory processes in the uterus. Most often, adults over the age of 10 suffer from this. At risk are cats that have never been bred. In most cases, the inflammatory process begins 5-10 days after estrus. Characteristic signs are a foul odor from under the tail, bleeding from the uterus, weakness, refusal to eat and drink. Here it is no longer possible to delay a visit to the veterinarian, since there is a risk of death. At the clinic, the cat will undergo an ultrasound of the uterus and, based on tests and visual examination, an effective treatment will be selected. The most effective solution to the problem is considered to be sterilization, which is carried out under anesthesia. In rare cases, it is possible to stop the inflammatory process with medication.

Causes of inflammation of the paraanal glands in cats

Typically, the anal glands in cats clean themselves during defecation or “spraying” secretions when marking the territory. At the same time, a small amount of this secretion, which looks like a light liquid, enters into the animal’s sphincter and is then released.

If there are any problems in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, the peri-anal ducts become clogged, become inflamed and bulge outward. The color of their secretion becomes brown, the consistency becomes thick, and the smell becomes extremely unpleasant.

Interesting! Scientists have found that long-haired pets who live in apartments suffer from blockage of the paraanal glands more often than other cats. However, among all domestic cats, this pathology, according to research by felinologists, occurs only in 1.5–2% of animals.

Inflammation of the anal glands most often occurs for the following reasons:

Dysbacteriosis due to long-term use of antibiotics.
Elderly age.
Injuries.
Worm infestation.
Obesity.
Eating small bones.
Feeding with natural products or cheap liquid feed.
Lack of physical activity.
Injury to the anus.
Pregnancy.
The gland canals are too narrow from birth.
Frequent constipation or, conversely, diarrhea due to problems in the gastrointestinal tract.

Diagnosis and treatment

The veterinarian will confirm the diagnosis and tell you how to treat a fistula in a cat. To do this, he will examine the animal, do general and biochemical blood tests, ultrasound and MRI of the affected area. If cancer is suspected, a biopsy will be required.

Granulating holes can be cured without surgery.

Treatment is carried out in several stages:

installation of drainage to remove liquids;
cleaning the hole, removing pus, dead tissue, feces;
disinfection;
flushing the canal;
applying a bandage with wound-healing, antibacterial ointments;
prescribing drugs that strengthen the immune system and suppress the activity of pathogenic microorganisms.

If the disease is advanced and healing is slow, the edges of the wound are sutured with the application of wound-healing anti-inflammatory ointments and a protective bandage.

In our online store you can purchase effective medications that will speed up your pet’s recovery:

Clinical signs

What are the symptoms of this pathology? At first, until an abscess the size of an orange develops under the cat's tail, there are few visible signs. But some time passes, after which terrible itching begins. The cat constantly licks its “lower regions” and then begins to “roll” on the floor, using its butt as a sled. Contrary to popular belief, this behavior does not indicate a helminthic infestation, but rather a problem with the secretion of the paraanal glands!

The pain reaction gradually increases, the cat meows often and hoarsely, sometimes biting itself in the “causal” places. As a rule, during this period he completely refuses food. Often at the same time, a sudden “healing” occurs: the accumulated volume of secretion and pus creates such pressure that all this disgusting-smelling mass simply bursts out of the anus. However, this does not increase happiness for the cat himself, since this pathology, once it has manifested itself, tends to recur. A couple of weeks pass, and the unfortunate animal is again vigorously rolling on the carpets.

The anal glands are located under the tail near the cat's anus. They secrete a thick liquid (secretion) with a pungent, unpleasant odor, which serves as a lubricant during defecation, a kind of mark when dividing territory, and helps the cat attract a partner when the time is right for mating. Usually the glands are cleaned during licking, but sometimes the cat is not able to clean the glands on its own, in which case they become clogged and become inflamed.

Treatment: main stages and methods

Treatment of inflammation or abscess of the paraanal glands should only be carried out by an experienced veterinarian in Moscow. We strongly do not recommend trying to help your pet at home. This will only worsen an already difficult situation.

The first step in treating inflammation is diagnosing the animal's condition. The veterinarian examines the affected area, interviews the owner (about the severity of symptoms, the degree of their manifestation, etc.), after which he assesses the cat’s condition and prescribes treatment.

Cleaning

If you consult a doctor in a timely manner (at the first stage of the inflammatory process), then treatment will be limited to cleaning the paraanal glands. This procedure does not require special conditions, so it can be performed in the clinic or at home, but only by a professional veterinarian.

Before cleansing the glands of accumulated secretion and secretion, it is necessary to palpate them. This will allow you to determine the consistency of the contents and select a cleaning method. If the secretion is liquid, then the external method is used, if it is dense, the method of rectal sanitation is used.

After cleaning is completed, the affected area is thoroughly treated using an antiseptic solution. To prevent further inflammation (preventive measure), an anti-inflammatory suppository is inserted inside.

Washing

Unlike external cleaning, washing the paraanal glands cannot be done at home. It is carried out only in a veterinary clinic, since it is prescribed in difficult situations (for example, when a fistula forms).

Before washing the abscess, the glands are cleared of accumulated secretions, then an injection is given with local anesthesia. Next, the specialist injects an antiseptic solution into the anus using a catheter (an alternative is a syringe without a needle).

Washing is carried out not once, but several times. This is necessary so that the liquid flowing back (antiseptic solution) becomes completely transparent. This condition indicates that there is no secretion or purulent discharge left.

After washing, the pet is given an anti-inflammatory suppository, and the damaged area is carefully treated with antiseptic ointment. If the cat's condition is of concern, the specialist will prescribe a course of antibiotics.

Removal

Unfortunately, washing does not always give a positive result. In particularly severe situations (for example, with a developed abscess), the veterinarian resorts to an extreme method of treatment - surgical removal of the paraanal glands.

The surgery is performed using general anesthesia. The surgeon makes two incisions in the area where the glands are located, and then removes them along with the ducts. Then he puts stitches and treats with an antiseptic solution.

After surgery, your cat will need home care. In order for it to fully recover, it is necessary to regularly treat the area with regenerating agents (solutions, ointments), give vitamins and antibiotics for 7-10 days.

A cat has discharge from the anus - what is it and why?