What is this?!! (Health concern!)

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DaisyPaws

DaisyPaws

Member Since 2011
Daisy was missing when we got home from work today.
When we finally found her, she was acting weird - big eyes, not wanting handled, hissing at other cats.

At first we thought she was low, but when I went to check her, I found a large, dark mass on her back end about an inch below and to one side of her tail. It is about two inches wide and looks like a thick scab.
It might be the result of a litter box mishap, but she won't let us touch it and there is a strong odor but not of poo.

I'm thinking it is an abscess, maybe, but have never seen one that looks crusted over like this.
It also appeared or escalated quickly. She was her normal self this morning and at lunch time.

We're debating going in to the emergency vet tonight or trying to get an appointment for first thing in the morning. Any idea what this could be?
 
Inflammed anal sac? Sometimes, they get plugged up and need to be manually expressed by the vet to push out the gunk. Stinky job!
 
Not that I really want a picture of that but we might be able to tell you what it is if we can see it... :shock: Pictures?
 
Moist warm compresses may help loosen the goo and cleanse the area. Wear gloves; the odor is quite pungent and will stay on your hands even after washing sometimes!

If may be a busted abscess, or a rupture of other tissue near it. You will want it checked by a vet to check it and to get antibiotics if it is infected.
 
I agree, it sounds like the anal glands. The anal gland may have ruptured. I wouldn't try to treat at home, I would get tot he vet ASAP. She will need antibiotics if it ruptured or abscessed. Poor baby, must be terribly painful. Let us know how she is doing!
 
Thanks to all who responded, and sorry to take so long to get back with you.
It was an abscessed anal gland. I knew cats could have this problem, but had never seen anything quite like this. She basically developed a dark purple, swollen lump almost the size of an egg overnight! She was a little "off" - less active - for a day or two before, but no physical symptoms. We chalked it up to a sudden cold snap in weather, since she basically just went to bed after eating. Then, The Lump.

She went to the vet yesterday and had surgery in the afternoon and came home this morning.
It's ugly, but she is recovering and on antibiotics and an NSAID.
Hopefully it will be a smooth recovery.

Thank you again for all who responded.
 
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