Cat Anal Glands

Tapeworms can cause itching of the anal area as they pass out the anus. Your cat may lick the anal area, or "sleigh-ride": slide along on its rear end with the back legs lifted.

Cats have anal sacs located on each side of the anus that are equivalent to the skunk's scent glands and were probably used by your pet's ancestors to spray enemies or to mark aterritory. The fluid has a sharp, pungent odor.

Cats seldom have problems with these sacs. The anal sacs are normally expressed when your pet exercises vigorously or movesits bowels. If the secretion in the anal sacs is not emptied by exercise or defecation, impaction and infection can occur. Your pet will lick the anal area and "sleigh-ride" or scoot along the ground. If an infection occurs in one or both sacs, the area adjacent to the anus will become red, swollen, and painful. When the abscess ruptures, pus or blood-tinged fluid may drain from it.

An irritation of the anal area can also develop from diarrhea. The fluid is acidic and can scald the anus.

Cat Anal Glands Treatment

If the anal sac becomes infected, yourveterinarian should treat it.

You may try to treat an impacted anal sacat home. Cover the anal area with a tissueor gauze pad when expressing the anal sacs. If the secretions get on your rug or clothes, the smell can be very difficult to remove. Placeyour thumb and index finger at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions outside the anal area. Squeeze firmly toward the center. The anal sac contents should exit from holes on the anus.

Anal irritations from diarrhea can be treated by bathing your cat with a medicated soap and applying calamine lotion, white petroleum jelly, or antibiotic ointment.

Anal-sac infections can be treated by flushing the sac with sterile water and antibiotics. Your doctor may hospitalize your pet for a few days or may treat the animal on an out patient basis. Anal abscesses need more vigorous therapy.

Chronic anal-sac infections are best treatedby removing the sacs surgically.