Why is my cat's anus red and swollen?

[heathergladden]

I noticed she was dragging her bottom on the carpet yesterday. Tonight I looked at her backside and noticed her anus is red, irritated, and swollen. She's a fat cat who can't clean herself very well, but that hasn't been an issue for the year-plus of her inability to clean up after the litterbox. I haven't changed her food or water habits, but I am using a new litter. She goes outside for about an hour or so daily. Any suggestions?

[fmjh]

OMG! I see tons of people giving advice and just guessing here. If you notice your cat's anus is red and swollen, they could have a condition called megacolon. That means their anal sac gets enlarged and poop builds up in there. Take them to a vet!! The vet might suggest an enema that's made specially for cats. Please be careful asking for and giving advice over the internet. Those giving advice, please don't guess unless you know what you're taking about. The only reason I know this is because my cat has this condition and we've been to a vet. There could be many other issues so please take them to a vet!!

[CCandTC]

Yeah, We didn't know she was getting all that at once as we picked them out on Tuesday and we were only informed that they were only getting de-sexed,

But for future reference I know not to get everything done all at once.

Thanks for your support I will have to get a few picks up of them.

[opus88]

well I am so glad to hear this good news, she is back healthy, eating, pooping and playing...what more could we wish for??? great news.

I would just advise you to not allow a Vet to give shots/dewormers at the same time as any surgery NOR do I like giving all the shots at one time especially if you are doing the rabies one....its very hard on a cat of any age to overcome so much into their systems all at one time.
The rabies is especially hard on their little bodies, I know in some areas they are required by law.....which is very unfortunate for indoor only cats :((

good luck and thanks for the update.

[CCandTC]

Thought I would post back to say my little girl is up and running around even play fighting her brother, Eating, Pooping and getting up to mischief.

They are up 4:30am every morning wrecking the house which is a good sign for both, I give the little boy a play date outside today which is probably the worse thing I could have done as now he is always at the door trying to get out lol.

I'm just glad everything is ok now without worrying about the next vet visit or bad news for them.

[CCandTC]

Hi, Thanks for your response
She had a temp check and being only a small prod she was a bit distressed,
The enema they used was about as thick as a pencil which that size getting shoved right up there tiny hole I just think it was too large for her.

The vet wasn't that rough but just the size of it I think it actually tore a bit of here rectum thus causing the blood. (I could be wrong)
I have removed the dry food early this morning as I read and know it takes allot of water from the cats body.

About an hour ago she went again to the toilet and found a stool about the size of my thumb nail 15mm x 15mm roughly.

I was a little happy to see that She is looking allot better now but I think she is still under weight which the food she has been eating has been small nibbles.

I will post back tomorrow to keep an update on her health.

Also have removed the kitty milk as I only have been giving them once a day just for something different.

Thanks Opus88

I really hope she gets better.

[opus88]

oh the poor little baby, I just cry to hear you describe her pain....its way too much at one time to have a little one desexed, wormed and shots...thats just so hard on them as you now are seeing. the poor little critter.
for starters stop the dry food....all dry food is already dehydrated and will in turn contribute to her dehydration...wet food only.!!! and I would also d/c the kitten milk it could be causing some of her constipation troubles(always follow Vets advice it he ordered it though)
give her the electrolytes via syringe with some additional water....and any canned food she will take, water it down just a bit more too, so she is getting even more water.
the Vet should have a product called LACTULOSE on hand or thru your pharmacy. give her a syringe of 1.5mls mixed with 2.5mls of water. give this once a day for the first day than 2x the next day if she hasn't had a poop...that is a stool softner and will help keep the poop softer so she can pass it easier.
Phone your Vet and ask if they have this or where you can get it. and check with them for the amount to give for sure.....
when kitties aren't eating much solid food, they normally aren't going to have alot of poo and what they do have will sit in the colon for a long time and get hard and dry making it hard to pass. so its very important that she gets plenty of fluids and this lactulose. NO more dry food.
If she hasn't passed anything in the next couple days you will have to bring her back to see a Vet, I know its expensive however you can't let her get a blockage....the enema shouldn't have been this painful...was the Vet rough?
good luck dear, please keep posting and luck to you and the dear little girl♥