Why is my cat's tail base painful with yellow discharge & odor?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Yellow/beige could be diarrhea, but it also could be pus. Either way, it is not normal. I recommend taking Chip to the vet to look for an abscess. This needs to be treated with antibiotics and pain medications. Good luck and kisses to Chip!

Hello. Without a further exam & cytology of the discharge it is impossible to say what might be going on, but at the very least, Nomar should probably receive another round of antibiotics. Until you can contact your vet, keep the area clean by using an antibacterial skin cleaner like Hibiclens ( available at all pharmacies ) a couple of times a day. You may need to put an Elizabethan cone on him to keep him from disturbing the wound. Hopefully, he will heal very quickly & thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I’m sorry to hear Miku needed his tail amputated. I do agree I would have him evaluated by his regular veterinarian as soon as possible. I would limit his ability to scratch at the area, and warm compress the site 2-4 times a day. If it has become infected, it may need antibiotics, a drain placed or something further done to help it heal. Good luck!

It could be dis charge from his anal glands. Normally, the glands are emptied during the act of defecation. Sometimes though, the glands become impacted then infected. An abscess will form then eventually rupture and drain. If there is no redness, swelling or discharge around the anus, look for swelling elsewhere. If he is an outdoor cat, a bite wound abscess is a possibility. They can be difficult to spot without a close exam and maybe shaving a swollen area. Ideally, he should be physically examined by your veterinarian. Especially if he is lethargic, feverish or not eating.

Hello. It sounds like Marmalade has an abscess. Based on its location I would worry it may get worse as if can't drain properly. Sometimes warm compressing may help these things but usually wound care and antibiotics are needed. If you do warm compress it and keep it clean and it stays small it may be able to wait until Monday. But if it continues to have discharge, has swelling or Marmalade seems painful he should see a veterinarian before then. Do not give any human pain medication as it can be very toxic to cats.

Poor Mini Marm! Given her hind end discomfort, wetness, and interest from your other cat, my main concern would be that Mini Marm is having problems with her anal glands. These are normal scent glands that typically empty with a bowel movement, but can become impacted, infected, or can rupture. Other possible causes include bite wounds, injury to her tail base or pelvis, among others. I strongly recommend taking her to the vet for evaluation, because it is quite likely that antibiotics and pain medication may be needed. Do not give her any over the counter human pain medicine, as none are safe for cats. Until you can get to the vet, put an e-collar (cone) on her to prevent further licking of the area, as this could make matters worse. You can also try using a warm compress on her hind end for 10 minutes 3-4 times per day if she will tolerate it. I hope this helps and that Mini Marm feels better soon!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Pearl. I recommend that he sees a veterinarian. I worry that he has an abscess which is a bad infection under the skin. This can happen secondary to any wound, but is common after cat fight wounds. If this is the case, antibiotics will be necessary and sometimes surgery is necessary. I hope this information helps!