My cat had impacted anal glands. How can I prevent recurrence?

Sorry to hear that Butter cup is having a recurring issue. In most cases, there isn't much you can do to hasten the recovery. Simply keep the area clean and preventing any licking is the best that can be done. Typically the area is flushed out initially and sometimes antibiotics are utilized. In cases of recurrence, sometimes the anal sacs are actually removed entirely (as this is the only way to absolutely know that it will not happen again). If surgical removal is something you opt to do, your veterinarian may or may not refer you elsewhere for this type of procedure. While not extremely complicated, some veterinarians prefer not to do surgery in this anatomic region due to the possible complications associated with fecal incontinence. Hope this helps.

Poor kitty. He may need his anal sacs expressed. I'd have him seen by a vet to have them expressed. Then I would give him Glandex, which is a supplement that can help with anal sac health. Make sure he has plenty of fiber in his diet. Brands of cat food I recommend include Royal Canin, Hill's Science Diet, Purina Pro Plan, and Iams.

High fiber diets can be beneficial for anal gland and constipation issues. There is some evidence that pets with chronic anal gland disease could have underlying allergies and by treating the allergies the anal gland issues resolve. You can discuss with your local veterinarian what allergies are most common in your area and if they think Misty could have allergies.

Every pet is different and some pets may need their glands expressed every few weeks. Most however will be less frequent. This can be a problem in any dog but it is more common in small dogs. There is a supplement called glandex which many pets respond well to. You may also try feeding him a higher fiber diet. Lastly, sometimes frequent anal gland issues can be a sign of allergies. You may talk with your veterinarian about ways to diagnose an allergy and if this seems to be indicated. Surgery is also an option to remove the anal glands. Please feel free to post any additional questions.

Poor kitty! Anal sac disease may require more frequent anal gland expressions which may be difficult depending on Sushi’s temperament. There is also a product called Glandex which may help them express better on their own. Lastly, pets who are severely affected also have the option of having the glands removed. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Food intolerance is the most common cause of ear and anal gland issues, a hydrolyzed diet is the most effective strategy to investigate this (royal canin hypoallergenic or hills z/d) and is only effective if fed with no treats, flavored medications or scavenged or hunted snacks. Weekly ear cleaning, antiallergy medications, regular parasite prevention and probiotic/fiber supplements such as fortiflora AFTER a 6week food trial should also be considered

Hello and thank you for your question on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! First question: It really does not matter when she eats but a matter of how much (how many calories per day). Eating twice a day is better than once a day so Misty does not get too hungry during the day and she can have a better blood glucose balance during the day. If you request a consult with me, we can go over calculating how many calories Misty should have in a day based on what food you are feeding her. A 4 pound increase in weight in a cat is like a human gaining 40 pounds. Second question: Anal gland impaction can be caused by the anal sacs not emptying their contents normal and regularly. Typically, both dogs and cats express their anal glands when they defecate. If the diet does not contain a lot of fiber or the animals is dehydrated this can cause a back up and can lead to impaction. Sometimes animals are genetically predisposed for this problem. Sometimes owner may have to express their cat's or dog's anal glands manually every few weeks to prevent an impaction from happening. Adding extra fiber to the diet can help (plain canned pumpkin works very well). I hope I have helped answer your question and if you wanted to chat further about the calories and food, I look forward to 'meeting' with you during a consult. Best wishes and thanks again!