The anal glands, generally referred to as anal sacs, are two small pouches located on both facet of a cat’s anus — at roughly the 4 o’clock and eight o’clock positions. Each sacs’ partitions are lined with sweat glands that produce and retailer a foul-smelling fluid that’s subsequently launched by small ducts situated simply contained in the anus.
Though these distinctive secretions allowed our domesticated cats’ ancestors to mark their territory and chase away predators, they serve little function at present. And whereas small quantities of this fluid are launched at any time when cats defecate, some cats may very well launch or “express” the whole contents of their anal glands once they’re both excited or frightened.
Whereas illnesses of the anal glands are extra frequent in dogs, in addition they seem in cats, and may embody impaction, abscesses, ruptures and, in uncommon situations, tumors.
Impaction happens when the duct main from the anal gland to the anus turns into clogged, and because it fills up with an ever-thickening liquid, the gland turns into distended. Because the gland distends, the strain inside it will increase, inflicting the affected kitty excessive discomfort. The most typical indicators that your kitty’s anal gland is impacted embody: extreme licking and cleansing of her anal space; a reluctance to take a seat; a reluctance to defecate; holding her tail in an uncommon place, and “scooting” or dragging her anus alongside the carpet or ground. Ought to your cat be exhibiting any or a number of of those indicators, deliver her to the vet and have her anal glands expressed manually. This easy process will swiftly relieve the strain contained in the gland, thereby re-opening the clogged duct.
Typically, nonetheless, the primary signal {that a} kitty’s in ache happens when the anal gland’s impacted secretions turn out to be contaminated. This causes pus to build up contained in the gland, and the result’s an abscess. If the pus can’t move by the duct main from the gland in direction of the anus, it is going to merely “burrow” by the pores and skin across the anus. In some circumstances, the pus will really burst by the pores and skin, draining out by itself.
If an anal gland ruptures, it usually causes extreme pores and skin harm to the affected space. With a view to deal with it, your vet will sometimes anesthetize your cat after which completely cleanse and surgically trim and/or take away all the broken pores and skin. To cut back the dimensions of the wound and promote sooner therapeutic, a number of stitches could also be required. If, however, an abscess is identified earlier than the gland ruptures, your vet will evenly sedate or absolutely anesthetize your cat, lance the abscess and prescribe a course of antibiotics for her.
In case your cat suffers from recurrent anal gland issues, she might profit from a high-fiber weight-reduction plan. The added fiber helps to supply bulkier stools which, in flip, will increase the strain on her anal glands when she defecates and permits them to be expressed extra effectively.
As a result of obese cats are extra vulnerable to anal gland problems, maintain your personal cat at a wholesome weight to assist cut back her probabilities of incurring these issues. On uncommon events, cats affected by repeated impactions and/or abscesses might must have their anal glands surgically eliminated.
Most cancers of the anal glands, or anal gland adenocarcinoma, is, fortunately, unusual in cats. Its signs usually mimic these of an anal gland abscess, corresponding to bleeding, irritation, ache, swelling and ulceration of the pores and skin across the anus. Whereas the popular therapy is surgically eradicating the cancerous anal gland, these tumors are usually aggressive, and by the point a prognosis is made, the most cancers, sadly, has usually unfold to different components of the cat’s physique.
Nomi Berger
Nomi Berger is the bestselling writer of seven novels, one work of non-fiction, two volumes of poetry, and a whole lot of articles. She is a volunteer author for Furry Buddies in Vancouver, WA and in addition volunteers her writing abilities to animal rescue teams in Canada and the USA. She lives together with her adopted Maltese named Mini. For extra details about Furry Buddies go to www.furryfriendswa.org or contact them at info@furryfriendswa.org or (360) 993-1097
