Enlarged anal gland

[Stephany]

Our diabetic Mai Thai was recently diagnosed with an infected anal gland. She didn't show any symptoms until recently and she is a long haired cat so we didn't notice anything. Took her to the vet on Wednesday. She tested some cells and found infection, but cannot completely rule out a tumor. She is on antibiotics and a re-check in 2 weeks. In the meantime she is kicking the hair completely off of it and it looks to be the size of a softball. I believe she is getting some liquid to come out of it. In the meantime she is on pain meds. I asked the vet about draining it but she felt the fluid was too thick to drain and for her to just kick it. Well obviously I am upset because my baby is in pain and uncomfortable. She is still eating though along with pooping and peeing. We just got her through a bout of pancreatitis. She is 12 yrs old. Anyone else gone through an enlarged anal gland with their kitty?

 

[BJM]

If she'll let you, a clean, warm, moist, washcloth applied to the area may help the expression of the contents.
It reeks, so wear gloves and be prepared to clean up ick.

 

[underdawg]

One of my girls had an abcessed anal gland that was just about to burst open when I finally saw it. My cats are tuxedo cats so I didn't see anything wrong until it was in bad shape. I had noticed that she tried to poop on the rug a day or two before but that was it until I saw her licking a big red spot. I took her to the vet that same day and the vet did surgery. She immediately felt better. The hair finally grew back and she is doing great. I guess I should have noticed her behavior was not quite right when she tried to poop on the rug. I have had many cats over the years but this is the first one with an abscessed anal gland.

 

[Stephany]

It is so large I am really surprised that the vet didn't offer surgery as an option right away. I just don't see how something that came on this quickly and so large wouldn't warrant a surgery. I highly doubt it will go away by itself. And of it is a tumor I want to know because her pain and quality of life is very important to me.