Dear All-
I'm seeking a quick advice here as I'm freaking out, vet office is closed (I'm in France) and I will be able to reach her only tomorrow, hopefully.
Belle has suddenly developed a round sore of about 1cm in diameter, very dark on the rim and dark red round in the middle , at about 1cm on the left side of her anus. If I have to position the abscess/sore/ulcer, it would be a bit like this °O. Can anal sac infection be that highly positioned? It looks like an ulcer rather an abscess because nothing is oozing out, but rather dry, dark and dark red, like an old wound.
It was not there this morning. How could she have done such damage to herself in such a short period of time? I remember that around noon today, there was nothing wrong there. I notice since a couple of days ago that the left area of her anus was a bit redder than usual but nothing more. The sore is not on her anus though. I am totally clueless and fear is at full throttle in my mind.
It seems painful around the left side of the base of her tail area as she does not want me to touch or examine her. She wails and fights forcefully every time I try to have a closer look. I was able to have a closer look only because she loves being on my lap with her rear towards me and kneading my thighs or the cushion on the side. That's why also I can say that there is nothing of this sort this morning.
Should I put her elizabethan collar on to limit the damage? Her stress level will certainly go through the roof and that will not help her spirit condition. With the collar on, it's very difficult for her to go to her litter box or eat in her bowl. Should I leave her like that until tomorrow when I'll join the vet?
She eats normally, is cuddly as usual, doesn't want to play much though but she has phases, seems to sleep well and doesn't show any other visible sign that I can see. She also pees and poops normally. The are seems painful because I can see her going there often now.
Would a warm compress help?
What could this be? Please, please help me.
Lan
Urgent help for suspected skin ulcer (?)
First, it's important you clean the area to make sure it isn't a scab, dried blood or something else. Use a dampened cool cloth and water to gently swab at the area a few times. Once clean, you can examine more closely.
Yes, an anal gland infection can occur anywhere, a cyst may occur anywhere outside of the anus. These usually are self-limiting, but you'll need to get kitty seen by your vet as soon as possible to rule out other possible problems. If your vet feels it is simply anal gland infection, he can express them for you in a matter of seconds. If it is something else, he may want to take a fine needle aspirate of it for further testing (to rule out cyst vs mass vs carcinoma).
I wouldn't recommend an e-collar unless she is frantically licking at the area or unless it is swollen or oozing blood or pus. Just keep it clean and dry and see your vet immediately. If she has trouble in the litterbox from now until tomorrow, seek an emergency clinic ASAP.
Please get her seen promptly...
Yes, an anal gland infection can occur anywhere, a cyst may occur anywhere outside of the anus. These usually are self-limiting, but you'll need to get kitty seen by your vet as soon as possible to rule out other possible problems. If your vet feels it is simply anal gland infection, he can express them for you in a matter of seconds. If it is something else, he may want to take a fine needle aspirate of it for further testing (to rule out cyst vs mass vs carcinoma).
I wouldn't recommend an e-collar unless she is frantically licking at the area or unless it is swollen or oozing blood or pus. Just keep it clean and dry and see your vet immediately. If she has trouble in the litterbox from now until tomorrow, seek an emergency clinic ASAP.
Please get her seen promptly...
..........Traci
Catch her while she's laying down or sleeping, use cool water only, it's more soothing than warm water in that tender area. Just try to be quick about it, and if she resists your further examination (don't agitate her by touching the area), then leave her be, I'm sure it can wait til tomorrow morning, but no later, ok?
..........Traci
I alreay tried to get close to the area several times this evening. I don't think I'll try again to stress her for now.
It is my intention to get the vet examine her tomorrow asap. I will never let her be in this state or any discomfort longer than I can stand, that means immediately if possible. I'm a worried "mom" by nature.
BTW, do you think it could be ringworm? I does not look like this to me as it is painful, dark, perfectly round.
Thanks Traci.
It is my intention to get the vet examine her tomorrow asap. I will never let her be in this state or any discomfort longer than I can stand, that means immediately if possible. I'm a worried "mom" by nature.
BTW, do you think it could be ringworm? I does not look like this to me as it is painful, dark, perfectly round.
Thanks Traci.
Lan
No, not likely ringworm, ringworm is usually generalized, mostly around the head, neck, torso and abdomen.
If this 'ulcer' looks anything like a postule (or looks like it already broke open), chances are it is a clogged anal gland or duct. Bacteria can also do this, especially if you noticed she might have had diarrhea any time in the last week.
But, if she's an older kitty, older than say, 6, you really want to get it checked out. While rare, benign cysts do occur in cats in this area. As do carcinomas. I don't want to frighten you, you just need to rule that out. If this only has presented itself in the last 48 hours and she's never had a problem in this area or any other symptom of illness, probably nothing to worry about.
Let us know what your vet determines...
If this 'ulcer' looks anything like a postule (or looks like it already broke open), chances are it is a clogged anal gland or duct. Bacteria can also do this, especially if you noticed she might have had diarrhea any time in the last week.
But, if she's an older kitty, older than say, 6, you really want to get it checked out. While rare, benign cysts do occur in cats in this area. As do carcinomas. I don't want to frighten you, you just need to rule that out. If this only has presented itself in the last 48 hours and she's never had a problem in this area or any other symptom of illness, probably nothing to worry about.
Let us know what your vet determines...
..........Traci
Okay, I sucessfully had a closer look. the skin seems not broken, the area mostly visible is round but when I spread the hairs more, there a whole area of about 2cm of which under the skin there is like an hematoma. Weird isn't it?
I could be anal ducts that are blocked as I got some very skinny poop today, a form I've never seen before, she who always had big well formed poop.
I'll keep you updated certainly.
Lan
I could be anal ducts that are blocked as I got some very skinny poop today, a form I've never seen before, she who always had big well formed poop.
I'll keep you updated certainly.
Lan
Lan
Actually, if you think this is a hematoma, or you can see that it is blood-filled, you might try finding an ER clinic in your area. Hematomas are excruciatingly painful, so everytime she has a bowel movement or strains, it's going to hurt like h*ll.
Without seeing this, it's really difficult to advise much more. Whatever you do, do NOT try to open it and don't manipulate it in any way. If she opens it herself by licking at it, then get it cleaned up as much as possible, then get that appointment for first thing in the morning.
Poor baby!
Without seeing this, it's really difficult to advise much more. Whatever you do, do NOT try to open it and don't manipulate it in any way. If she opens it herself by licking at it, then get it cleaned up as much as possible, then get that appointment for first thing in the morning.
Poor baby!
..........Traci
Hi Traci,
My deepest thanks for your support on this matter.
I brought Belle to the vet this morning and it's an anal sac blockage with abscess. The vet pierced the sac and drained the abscess. It's very impressive. Belle did not like it at all but I think she feels better now.
She gave Belle a shot of Baytril, an antibiotic to avoid surinfection of the abscess, and a shot of Tofénil (Tofenil acid) which is an antiflammatory that does not belong to the cortisone class (not a steroid class). During the process, Belle gave me quite a few scratches due to the pain
She told me I can get her off her Elizabethan collar when we get home so that she can clean herself and do the disinfection by herself. I had to put it on last night as she did not sleep and kept licking at the area.
She gave a homeopathic prescription :
1. Hepar Sulfur 9c : 1/2 dose to give today. I gave it when we got home, then 1/2 an hour later, gave to Belle her late breakfast (we went to the vet with an empty stomach as I did not know what would be the plan). She ate very well.
2. Mercurius Solubilis 7c, 2 granules twice a day during 5 days
3. Belladonna 7c, 2 granules 3 times a day during 5 days
4. Silicea 9c : 1/2 dose in 8 days
5. Arnica 9c : 1/2 dose in 15 days
6. Arnica 15c : 1/2 dose in 18 days
7. Arnica 30c : 1/2 dose in 21 days
I have to bring Belle back to her in 3 days for a check-up to make sure everything is all right.
Belle is very voicy but accepts cuddles and is more quiet now. I think she must feel better. She cleaned herself nicely and I helped her also a bit but it seems very painful around the area. So, I prefer to let her do the cleaning herself now.
How does anal sac blockage and abscesses occur? How can I prevent this from happening in the future? How could I not see it happening?
Tallulah has been very nice with her sister when we came back home. I mean by this that in the past, whenever they went to the vet together or separately, Tallulah always hisses and shows unacceptance behavior towards Belle. But it has not happened this time and hopefully, after our next trip to the vet, she will be nice to her sister also.
Again, many thanks for all your support and input. I truly appreciate it.
My deepest thanks for your support on this matter.
I brought Belle to the vet this morning and it's an anal sac blockage with abscess. The vet pierced the sac and drained the abscess. It's very impressive. Belle did not like it at all but I think she feels better now.
She gave Belle a shot of Baytril, an antibiotic to avoid surinfection of the abscess, and a shot of Tofénil (Tofenil acid) which is an antiflammatory that does not belong to the cortisone class (not a steroid class). During the process, Belle gave me quite a few scratches due to the pain
She told me I can get her off her Elizabethan collar when we get home so that she can clean herself and do the disinfection by herself. I had to put it on last night as she did not sleep and kept licking at the area.
She gave a homeopathic prescription :
1. Hepar Sulfur 9c : 1/2 dose to give today. I gave it when we got home, then 1/2 an hour later, gave to Belle her late breakfast (we went to the vet with an empty stomach as I did not know what would be the plan). She ate very well.
2. Mercurius Solubilis 7c, 2 granules twice a day during 5 days
3. Belladonna 7c, 2 granules 3 times a day during 5 days
4. Silicea 9c : 1/2 dose in 8 days
5. Arnica 9c : 1/2 dose in 15 days
6. Arnica 15c : 1/2 dose in 18 days
7. Arnica 30c : 1/2 dose in 21 days
I have to bring Belle back to her in 3 days for a check-up to make sure everything is all right.
Belle is very voicy but accepts cuddles and is more quiet now. I think she must feel better. She cleaned herself nicely and I helped her also a bit but it seems very painful around the area. So, I prefer to let her do the cleaning herself now.
How does anal sac blockage and abscesses occur? How can I prevent this from happening in the future? How could I not see it happening?
Tallulah has been very nice with her sister when we came back home. I mean by this that in the past, whenever they went to the vet together or separately, Tallulah always hisses and shows unacceptance behavior towards Belle. But it has not happened this time and hopefully, after our next trip to the vet, she will be nice to her sister also.
Again, many thanks for all your support and input. I truly appreciate it.
Lan