Anal sac question

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Cheryl - 21 Sep 2004 03:07 GMT

Shamrock goes back to TED Saturday for his healing Depo shot as his
allergies are really bad right now. Still no signs of fleas and after
3 years I think we can rule that out (flea treatment, combing, etc,
many other tests vet did). He eats a mainly canned food diet and
rarely touches dry except maybe once every few days, so his stools
are soft, but not runny ie, diarrhea. He's been scooting his butt on
the carpet the last couple of days and checking him over, his anal
sacs didn't look like there was a problem, but he had a sore on the
inside of his tail which it appeared he was trying to scratch (though
watching him go it could be carpet burn). He doesn't have a dirty
butt, so I don't think it was that that he was trying to scratch.
Tonight I noticed a dark spot where the anal sac is, and he's a bit
stinky though he hasn't expelled anything. Again, no swelling, just a
"spot". I'm thinking about asking his vet if this becomes a recurring
problem if he should just have the sacs removed? Does the decision to
remove the sacs only come from recurring problems with them, or can
it sometimes be preventative? Other than the obvious risks from
anesthesia, what risks are there to remove anal sacs in cats?

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kaeli - 21 Sep 2004 15:15 GMT

> I'm thinking about asking his vet if this becomes a recurring
> problem if he should just have the sacs removed? Does the decision to
> remove the sacs only come from recurring problems with them, or can
> it sometimes be preventative? Other than the obvious risks from
> anesthesia, what risks are there to remove anal sacs in cats?

The risk that a nerve will be cut during surgery, rendering the cat
incontinent for life.
The glands are right next to the nerves that control "holding it".

IANAV, but IMO, there is no reason to remove the glands unless they become
chronically impacted or abscessed. I doubt the vet will do the surgery unless
that has been an issue.
It's easy for a vet or groomer to express them if they're just getting
clogged up a bit and is usually not expensive. My vet charges $10 for
expression of the glands. The groomer, $7.

You can also do it yourself if your cat is docile and you have a helper to
hold him. And the vet has shown you how, of course.

The sooner you bring your guy to the vet, the better chance that if it is the
glands, they can be expressed easily. If the glands stay clogged too long,
then you run the risk of impaction/abscess. Make an appointment ASAP.

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Cheryl - 21 Sep 2004 22:57 GMT

In the fine newsgroup "rec.pets.cats.health+behav", kaeli
<tiny_one@NOSPAM.comcast.net> artfully composed this message
within <news:MPG.1bb9f368d484898998a146@nntp.lucent.com> on 21 Sep
2004:

> The risk that a nerve will be cut during surgery, rendering the
> cat incontinent for life.
> The glands are right next to the nerves that control "holding
> it".

That's a risk not worth taking. I just wondered if there were any
thoughts about proactively tackling the issue rather than let them
get to the point where they have to be expelled manually,
especially since they serve no purpose any more. Thanks for the
input.

> You can also do it yourself if your cat is docile and you have a
> helper to hold him. And the vet has shown you how, of course.

Uh, not going to happen. I've seen the vet do it, and we're not
going there. ;) I'll just bring him in when it needs doing. Have
you ever had to do this with your cats?

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Trish - 22 Sep 2004 00:09 GMT

> In the fine newsgroup "rec.pets.cats.health+behav", kaeli
> <tiny_one@NOSPAM.comcast.net> artfully composed this message
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
> --
> Cheryl

lol wouldn't be me doing it either, my vet can enjoy that luxury while I
stay splatter free

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dgk - 22 Sep 2004 14:06 GMT

>In the fine newsgroup "rec.pets.cats.health+behav", kaeli
><tiny_one@NOSPAM.comcast.net> artfully composed this message
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
>going there. ;) I'll just bring him in when it needs doing. Have
>you ever had to do this with your cats?

I wait until I see the little brown circles start appearing. Then
we're going to the vet.

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kaeli - 22 Sep 2004 16:06 GMT

> In the fine newsgroup "rec.pets.cats.health+behav", kaeli
> <tiny_one@NOSPAM.comcast.net> artfully composed this message
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> >
> That's a risk not worth taking.

I agree.

> I just wondered if there were any
> thoughts about proactively tackling the issue rather than let them
> get to the point where they have to be expelled manually,
> especially since they serve no purpose any more. Thanks for the
> input.

Welcome!

> > You can also do it yourself if your cat is docile and you have a
> > helper to hold him. And the vet has shown you how, of course.
>
> Uh, not going to happen. I've seen the vet do it, and we're not
> going there. ;) I'll just bring him in when it needs doing. Have
> you ever had to do this with your cats?

Yes, actually.
I'm not that squeemish with these things.
And for some reason, it just doesn't smell that bad to me. Pungent and
strong, yes, but not bad. I don't think anything could possibly be worse than
cleaning the carpet up after a 60 pound dog who had, well, intestinal issues,
shall we say. *heh*
I cut up a dead body in pre-nursing classes, too. THAT smells bad. I was the
only girl who didn't leave the room the first time.

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