Sore bottom

[Angel_Kat]

Hello. My cat started scooping yesterday and today her anus is sore. She has a mild constipation from time to time ever since she contracted FHV @ the shelter where I adopted her from 5 months ago. She is getting Lysine supplement daily as per recommendation from our vet.

She is an indoor cat, has access to the small patio {12'x16') to which no other animal has access to... only one bird that comes daily and sits on the fence and entertains us all :)

Patio is covered with small river rock and some areas have a little bit of wild fragile grass growing. Some would call it weeds and kill it, but it's green and I like looking at it... when summer comes to Phx, AZ, as always, these greens die. I don't think there r any ticks in it, also I checked my cats fur thoroughly and both her fur, skin, ears, anus are spotlessly clean. No sign of fleas, mites or ticks anywhere.

One of Angel's anal glands was a little enlarged and a bit hard last week, but now it appears normal. Today I applied warm compress twice to the affected area in hope that it will alleviate Angie's discomfort as well as to help drain the glands if need be.

Could I also apply some triple antibiotic ointment to her anus to help calm it down? I know she would lick the area and would like to know if the ointment could pose any harm if injested.

Thank you.

Angel's bestest friend, Katz

Already tried: Warm compress, giving extra water with the dropper, a tablespoon of pumpkin with her food twice a day for few days (every time she is constipated, as per vet's advice).

After we learned of her constipation tendency, we included wet food in her diet: 1 tablespoon twice a day (dry food available at all times since she is not an over eater). It's gotten much better except this 2nd time that she has sore anus.

I want to help her without necessarily going to a vet. FHV makes her a high maintenance pet as is and she was already on antibiotics 3 x in the past 5 months due to URI.  

[opus88]

lol....oh please never move on...the more comments to any post the better, good to have everyones minds working together anytime there is a problem of any sort...
I so agree with you that it takes angels to look after and take home these rescues especially the special needs ones.. KUDOS to you both:))

[CML2014]

Hi Opus,
Wow! There I go again posting at the same time as you. !!

Usually if I see you have commented I just move on, LOL!

[CML2014]

Hi AngelKat,

I am a displaced Zoney from Scottsdale , AZ. and I can empathize with you because I have a special needs Kit from the rescue also. They are High maintenance but show you in so many ways their appreciation.

So let's hope it is just anal irritation from constipation and dry scratchy  stools. So Lets solve that problem first.

1- Lets get to the Pet store and buy some Laxatone (salmon flavor). It comes in a tube and give it to her twice a day. Hopefully you will see stool movement in a day or two.
2--No dry food only wet -grain free.
3--If you can get an Elizabethan collar on her that will help her to not lick that area (which compounds the problem) Cats have barbed tongues and they can irritate and sometimes cause an infection of the anus sacs.
3-Next Clip any fur that may be stuck around the anus. You can use Triple Antibiotic Ointment or Cortaide, hydrocortisone cream-(yes I checked it out and it is ok to use on cats), smooth it on that area. The collar will keep her from licking it or the vet can give you some foul smelling stuff to repel her from licking ....LOL, as if her little anus isn't repulsive enough, right. God love them.

Now if this does not work it could be worms or an impaction. The impaction is an Emergency, especially if she begins to vomit and it smells like feces.
She could be scooting to relieve the feeling of not being able to have a stool movement. If it is worms, well that is a whole other issue.

Like I said lets just hope it is irritation from constipation. I still give my little girl Laxatone every once in a while to keep her stools soft.

By the way, I volunteered in Animal Rescue in Az. All too often the special needs kitties are left behind. It takes a very special person to commit themselves to these needy little creatures, but how they reward you with their love and gratitude. Thank you for being her ANGEL!

Hope this helps,
Sincerely .
CML
  

[opus88]

hi Katz welcome to you and angel, wow I must say what a through info you have included with your post, good job.

I would strongly recommend a wet food ONLY diet...and keep up with the small amounts of pumpkin once a day, just don't over do it b/c pumpkin is a fiber and can assist with constipation but too much can lead to worsening the problem too.

wonderful you are giving L-lysine, its an amazing amino acid and I am glad many Vets are starting to recommend it.

the sore anus....not sure exactly what could be causing this but I wouldn't go to the extent of using an AB cream, b/c theres not necessarily an infection and over use even with animals is always a concern, besides as you say she will ingest most of this and thus do her anal area little good. try a small amount of clear white vaseline instead, this will also not hurt with the constipation:))
She may also need to have her anal glands expressed, that could be causing the soreness and swelling. but a Vet would need to confirm that.

if and when the pumpkin is no longer helping, I'll give you a link to inulin...a powdered fiber that has worked wonders with my Nemo's long term bowel issues. I mix 1/4 teas. with small amount of water and give it to him daily...Angel may accept it in her food, Nemo will not :(

http://www.iherb.com/Now-Foods-Organic-Inulin-100-Pure-Powder-8-oz-227-g/1100#bid=NOW&p=1&oos=1&disc=0&lc=en-US&w=now%20foods%20organic%20inulin%20100%25%20pure%20powder&rc=188&sr=null&ic=1

I will also include a link to the Lysine I use, its is also in human form, both these brands are free of all soy, wheat, gluten, sugar, salt etc and therefor very safe for our kitties....and much cheaper than the Veterinary brands..

for the Lysine you only need 1/4 scoop(included) that would be approx 300mg.

http://www.iherb.com/Carlson-Labs-L-Lysine-Amino-Acid-Powder-100-g/13608

I order all the time from iherb, they are excellent to deal with and very reasonable prices and shipping, even internationally as in my case:)

good luck, let us know if we can help in anyway