Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Kitty with anus trouble

My kitten is as happy as can be, very playful but has a swollen, reddish, protruding sore anus.  The problem started shortly after introducing her to solid food.  I suspect she may have been too young or possibly the food did not agree with her.  She was definitely ready to start eating and is still enthusiastic about food.  I have used Polysporin which has helped quite a bit - the redness is gone, a lot of the swelling has cleared up but not completely.  Any input would be much appreciated.
23 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
You can order it from amazon.com, and even on a subscription delivery basis.  Which basically means, you set up your order (how much, when, etc) and it repeats automatically as often as you want.  They give you a price discount for that also.

Helpful - 0
506791 tn?1439842983
One point, if I may?

Check some of the higher end dry foods, like Blue Buffalo grain free...in a pinch these can be wetted and not disintegrate, plus are better for kitty than regular dry formulas.  I'm in process of changing the foods I give Teia, Hildie and Chessie to lessen the amount of "fillers."

All three need to eat healthier, but all the cats we've ever had have done fine on the more widely marketed brands, ours like the Friskies products.

On types of animal proteins, think of the size of prey that wild cats catch, big animals aren't on the menu.

For a people food treat, we poach up a few pounds of chicken livers and de-boned thighs a couple times a year.  Run these through the coarse grained plate in our meat grinder to mix and freeze kitty size portions in ice cube trays.  We'll then keep the chicken cubes in freezer safe containers (our big freezer stays at -20F).  We don't make more than a few dozen at a time, replenish every 3 months.

To serve, thaw carefully in the microwave so they are not too warm for safe eating.

Around Thanksgiving, we'll do this with some roasted turkey, too.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Your answer is much appreciated.  I so much appreciate your input regarding dry food.  I will be checking out catinfo.org.  Yesterday I decided to switch brands on wet food and stocked up so that should be OK - glad that worked out.  Many thanks for all of your input - I've learned from you and taken it to heart.
Helpful - 0
874521 tn?1424116797
wish I could give you some positive replys.....but NO ground beef, thats still human food....much better to feed a regular canned food if you can't find the kitten food rather than going back to human food again.....

and sorry I am NOT a promoter of dry food, i know its cheaper and more convenient but the you are risking health problems down the road.....and NO soaking it isn't going to matter, its still a very dehydrated food, full of additives and loaded with carbs, also once a kitty has eaten dry its just as hard getting them off that as it is human food (later on when are having health issues)
stick to cans and you'll have a healthier kitty, even if its the cheaper brands...

read this site and it will tell you all you need to know abt dry food.

http://www.catinfo.org/
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Since I can always find dry kitty food is it OK to soak it up?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Your answer was affirming that I did the right thing.  I did cook up some carrots and mix it in with the food.  He did eat a bit and later some more so that was good.  I'm having a terrible time keeping kitty canned food on stock - I had found it at Wahlmart, however, when I went back for more they were out!  Can I cook up some ground beef (extra lean)??  Thanks so much for taking the time to stick with me.  MUCH appreciated.
Helpful - 0
874521 tn?1424116797
you could also buy it in the baby food jars....but be very careful it doesn't have anything at all other than carrots....this is very important and I can't tell you this strongly enough...it can't have sugar/onions/spices of any sort or it will be very harmful....
Helpful - 0
874521 tn?1424116797
yes carrots are okay, but they have to be with NO other additives...spices/sugar or anything... just plain old carrots, maybe buy a few fresh ones and cook up your own than mash it up and put in a jar.this will keep in the fridge for a few days(only cook a couple at a time)..mix a very small amount into her food. pumpkin is easier b/c most kitties like the taste....but she may not like carrots so go slow, just a tiny dab...let me know k.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Checked a couple of stores - no canned pumpkin.  Would carrots work?
Helpful - 0
874521 tn?1424116797
well I think your getting way ahead of yourself.....as long as he's pooping, don't worry so much. did you get the pure pumpkin to put a little in his food everyday for fiber...PURE pumpkin NOT the pie filling....he just needs to keep passing even they seem a little pencil like, not all kittens digest the same, his colon maybe a little narrower but if he's poops are kept moist with canned food and fiber he should do fine :)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
The kitty continues to improve and remains as playful as ever and eating well, however, not sure he's out of the woods just yet.  He has been frequently passing some stool which usually sticks to his anus/fur so he needs help with cleaning.  This evening he passed a stool that I would say was about 2 inches in length.  Consistency seemed good, color was probably greenish grey, a touch under an 1/8 of an inch in diameter (fairly narrow/thin looking) which seemed unusual.  Also, he wasn't able to drop the piece or pinch it off.  That he pooped that much on his own certainly seemed like progress but I wanted to ask if the smaller in diameter stool was just due to a little more healing needed or are we looking at surgery to make the anal entry a bit bigger.  If so, how old does a kitten need to be for that?  This little guy is just over 7 weeks now.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks so much!!  i was able to get more canned kitty food and so happy about that.  Kitty has been improving and that gives a real delight.  Looking forward to being able to make the post that says, "he looks normal."  I wonder if he'll always be one that will need to have a closer eye kept on him.  Thanks again!!
Helpful - 0
874521 tn?1424116797
yes his poor little bottom does appear to be protruding...although not excessively IMO....as long as he is able to move his bowels at least every second day, my Nemo with the stricture also has hard little poops, I use lactulose when needed too. for a little guy like that only give abt 1cc and also add 2 cc's water with it!!! are you using a syringe or dropper? be careful and only put in the side of his mouth(near the rear molars, if you give in the front there is always a danger of aspirating(inhaling into lungs)

I would use a little WHITE petroleum jelly as a lube....be sure its white with no perfumes, can usually find it in the baby isle, the lactulose is pretty sticky for external use and not really a lube....:)))
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I uploaded a photo and just titled it, "Kitty Anal Problem".
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Its been awhile since he had what I would call a full bowel movement - tiny amounts coming through only.  To help him we've starting giving very small amounts of Lactulose.  Since its edible I've used a little in his anal area as a lubricant.  Surprisingly he remains playful and wants to chow down every chance he gets.  I'm glad he's also still nursing.  He's now 61/2 weeks.

Since giving the Lactulose and using a warm moist cloth to gently massage his bottom he has passed more stool and the area around the anus does not feel nearly as hard or as thick/full.  This seems like progress but I realize we may be looking at something serious.

I am posting a couple of photos shortly.  They were taken after wiping his anal area so it would have been still wet.

Thanks for all the help you've been so far.  All the extra care this little one has needed has sure worked him into our (my husband's as well as mine) hearts but if this is something that will not go away and he would not enjoy a quality life then we would make a decision in his best interests, difficult as that would be.
Helpful - 0
874521 tn?1424116797
how long do you think its been since he has had a poop???????? should have asked that first. if its been a few days he may need a Vet now.....this could be serious especially if he's already been on wet food, shouldn't be happening....

re photos: on the bar at the top of this page...click on MY MEDHELP. that will take you to your home page.....on the left hand side there are a list of applications. scroll down and click on PHOTOS...when you get on that page click on UPLOAD PHOTOS....that will load photos you have stored on your computer, you can choose which one you want to load and show on Medhelp.....you must have photos stored on your computer to do this first...:)
Helpful - 0
874521 tn?1424116797
no you cannot give him adult food...it has to be a kitten food, the adult formulas don't have enough protein in them for a growing kitten..can you find another brand thats for kittens...just be sure its canned and not dry food or his constipation will become worse..
I will give you one suggestion and if this doesn't get him moving you will have to bring him to a vet. if he is backed up he will need some better help....

go to your grocery store and buy canned PURE pumpkin....be very sure its the PURE pumpkin and NOT pie filling. it will say pure pumpkin on the can...with NO spices.
mix a small amount of this with his wet food, its great fiber, the best for cats. for every tablespoon of wet food...put in abt 1/4 teaspoon of the pumpkin......keep him separate from the others so you can be sure its him using the litter box and you will know if he has a poop....if he hasn't pooped within a day or two , he needs a Vet...good luck :)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I thought the worst of the trouble was over, however, now it seems that he's constipated and the swelling possibly be backed up stool.  I ran out of the canned kitten food and its not available at our local store so switched to adult in the same brand (Fancy Feast) - checked the ingredients and they were the same for both with just varying amounts of ingredients - Hope the switch will be safe:(  He remains playful so he must be a fighter.  Is there anything I can give him to help with the constipation?  I think this little guy will need to be seen by a vet.  I could send a photo - how do I do that?
Helpful - 0
874521 tn?1424116797
if there was a sphincter muscle problem, I think he would have really loose stools or be constipated, one or the other....one of my boyz has a con-stricture in his bowel and gets very constipated...b/c he has such a hard time passing a stool..
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks so much.  I will keep you posted as to how this turns out.  I thought maybe he has issues with the sphincter muscle but then I don't think the area around/behind the anus would be swollen.  I will be keeping a close eye on him.
Helpful - 0
874521 tn?1424116797
hi..well thats good news there is no diarrhea and stools appear normal.
since there isn't a GI problem than food isn't the issue. I don't know why the anus would be protruding?....as long as there is no longer any redness or signs of irritation than I'm not sure its anything to worry abt at this point.
Just keep a watch on and if the area should become irritated again than I suggest him seeing a Vet for a diagnosis.....keep us updated and I'll try and help but I'm pretty limited w/o seeing him. can you upload a photo? you can also try and ask our Medhelp Vet who is a cat specialist. just click on this link...good luck :)

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/new_with_new_subject?forum_id=112
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks for the input regarding Polysporin.  I will stop that immediately.

The kitten is part of a litter that I own so with the mother throughout this time.  No diarrhea and stool seems to be normal.  The kittens did get into some of the dry food I had out for the mother (kitty chow, not adult food) but their main food is softened kitty chow and canned food.  I'm using Purina:  Kitty Chow and Fancy Feast.

The kitten's anus looks normal in color but it still protruding a bit.
Helpful - 0
874521 tn?1424116797
hi again, I already gave you a reply to where you first posted this question...however its good you found out how to post a new thread!!!! so I will give you another reply.
yes at 4 weeks thats awful early to start on solid food, I hope she was still nursing..b/c kittens need the colostrum from their mommys milk for a good 6-7weeks for their immune systems.

stop the polysporin, cats lick and ingest and this product isn't meant for internal use!!! if you need to use something, add just a very small amount of while petroleum jelly/Vaseline.

is she having diarrhea? that would cause the sore anus....what food are you feeding? canned or dry?..
and the brand.

Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Cats Community

Top Cats Answerers
874521 tn?1424116797
Canada..., SK
506791 tn?1439842983
Saint Mary's County, MD
242912 tn?1660619837
CA
740516 tn?1360942486
Brazil
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Members of our Pet Communities share their Halloween pet photos.
Like to travel but hate to leave your pooch at home? Dr. Carol Osborne talks tips on how (and where!) to take a trip with your pampered pet
Ooh and aah your way through these too-cute photos of MedHelp members' best friends
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.