CATS HAVE ANAL SACS TWO-Valuable Information for the Cat Lover-DR. DON DEFORGE
Silver Sands Veterinary
www.SilverSandsVeterinary.com
Donald H DeForge, VMD
DonDeForge100@gmail.com
1-800-838-3368
The anal sacs are paired sacs located on either side of the anus of dogs and also-CATS! Anal sacs collect the oily secretion of the glandular tissue that lines the sacs. [i.e. anal glands].
Sebaceous glands within the lining secrete a liquid which smells foul. The anal sacs have no function.
It is hypothesized that in the "historical-wild undomesticated species" the liquid being expressed during "fright; fight; and/or flight"[i.e. when being attacked] was a warning system to the pack.
Dog and cat feces is firm and the anal gland liquid plays a part in lubricating the anal opening during defecation.
In the dog and cat, many times, the sac fails to empty during defecation, leading to impaction. Anal gland impaction results from blockage of the duct leading from the sac to the anal rim orifice. Secondary infection can occur if the problem is not treated. Infection; sac rupture; and cellulitis are all sequels to an untreated impaction.
Signs of Anal Sac Impaction in the dog are cat are:
Difficulty sitting or standing
Chasing the tail
Trying to bite or lick the anal area if reachable
Sitting in an abnormal position
Constipation
Perianal Pain
Scooting
Anal itch
Malodor as the secretion leaks from the sac but never empties
Cats defecating outside litter box
Pungent Anal Odor
Blood or Pus in the perianal area
Anal Sac impaction and abscessation are painful!
Many pet owners and groomers try to express the sac manually by pressing on the outer anal ring at the three/four and eight/nine positions on the face of a clock.
The danger of having the sacs emptied [i.e. external expression] by a person not cognitive of anal sac anatomy has been documented by veterinarians.
If the lay person presses too hard, it can lead to sac rupture and abscessation in the area of the internal and external sphincter muscles. This can lead to painful complications and unnecessary surgery for your pet.
The veterinarian uses internal sac expression
With an understanding of anatomy and anal sac pathology, the veterinarian can safely empty the impacted sacs. This procedure is accomplished with twilight anesthesia; sedatives; analgesics; and at times local anesthesia of the anal area.
Key Point:
Routine emptying, when the patient is showing no sign of discomfort, is contraindicated. Frequent unnecessary expression can lead to inflammation; infection; or increased filling of the sacs from operator induced trauma to the site.
Co-Morbidities and Anal Sac Impaction
Obesity can lead to anal sac problems. Watch you pet's weight and seek help from your Primary Care Doctor of Veterinary Medicine on techniques for weight control.
Allergy, anal impaction, and anal sacculitis are definitely linked. Patients with flea allergy dermatitis; food allergy; and atopic dermatitis are commonly affected with anal sac impactions. See your veterinarian and discuss a dermatologist referral and/or a dermatology work up at your general practice if allergy is in question.
Other Causes for Scooting and Anal Discomfort
Perianal Tumors-benign and malignant
Pruritic Anal Syndrome from diarrhea
Intestinal Parasites
Matted Hair from poor grooming
Flea Allergy, Food Allergy and/or Atopic Dermatitis
Colitis-Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Cat Anal Sac Mythology
Cats with chronic anal impaction and sacculitis are commonly diagnosed as "behavior induced problems"! That is not always the case! Behavioral problems can cause obscessive-compusive disorders but they are not always the cause of anal impaction and sacculitis.
You have been told or read that cats do not have anal sacs! This is totally INCORRECT!
Cat anal sacs being expressed externally is as effective as internal expression by a veterinarian with sedation. This is totally INCORRECT. The lay person or pet owner can cause severe pain to their pet trying to empty a sac that is impacted or infected. Even worse, the lay person can cause rupture and abscesstion requiring surgery.
How often should my dog or cat's Anal Sacs be expressed? What else can I do?
As stated earlier, let your veterinarian be your guide.
Ask for a diagnostic work-up to rule out allergy and other bowel problems that could be contributing to the frequent anal sac impactions.
Follow the Companion Animal Parasite Council recommendations on deworming of your pet to rule out parasites as a cause of anal impactions and sacculitis. Utilize a prescription flea control product, for ALL outdoor cats, as outlined by your General Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
Anecdotal reports have recommended adding fiber to the diet to help keep the anal orifice open during bowel movements. A good source of fiber for dogs and cats is unflavored-unseasoned canned pumpkin puree.
A cat would be given 1 tsp twice daily. Some cats love pumpkin-others need the pumpkin mixed with honey. For the finicky cat purchase a high quality cat treat and pulverize it into a granular consistency. Coat the pumpkin puree with this topping to entice your cat to try the pumpkin.
For Small Dogs add 1 tsp pumpkin puree twice daily to the diet.
For Medium Dogs add 2 tsp. pumpkin puree twice daily to the diet.
For Large and Giant Breeds add two tbsp. of a pumpkin puree twice daily to the diet.
The Future Is Now!
Rather than simple internal expression of the anal sacs with sedation/twilight anesthesia, veterinarians are now proposing a new technique~~~The Anal Sac Infusion.
With twilight sedation/analgesia, the veterinarian with a special curved tip syringe flushes debris and infected material from the sac with a normal saline solution.
The veterinarian then removes the saline and replaces it with an infusion of an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory medicine.
This infusion is absorbed and the remainder naturally eliminated by the dog or cat over a 30 day period.
Ask your Regular Doctor of Veterinary Medicine about Anal Sac Infusions if you find yourself constantly or frequenlty returning to your local doctor of veterinary medicine for internal expression.
These infusions can decrease the number of follow-up visits to your veterinarian as long as all co-morbidities have been examined and eliminated as causative factors of anal sac pathology.
Questions:
E-Mail DonDeForge100@gmail.com
Don DeForge, VMD
www.SilverSandsVeterinary.com
Donald H DeForge, VMD
DonDeForge100@gmail.com
1-800-838-3368
CATS HAVE ANAL SACS "TWO"
~A SCOOTING PET
SHOULD BE EXAMINED BY A VET~
The anal sacs are paired sacs located on either side of the anus of dogs and also-CATS! Anal sacs collect the oily secretion of the glandular tissue that lines the sacs. [i.e. anal glands].
Sebaceous glands within the lining secrete a liquid which smells foul. The anal sacs have no function.
It is hypothesized that in the "historical-wild undomesticated species" the liquid being expressed during "fright; fight; and/or flight"[i.e. when being attacked] was a warning system to the pack.
Dog and cat feces is firm and the anal gland liquid plays a part in lubricating the anal opening during defecation.
In the dog and cat, many times, the sac fails to empty during defecation, leading to impaction. Anal gland impaction results from blockage of the duct leading from the sac to the anal rim orifice. Secondary infection can occur if the problem is not treated. Infection; sac rupture; and cellulitis are all sequels to an untreated impaction.
Signs of Anal Sac Impaction in the dog are cat are:
Difficulty sitting or standing
Chasing the tail
Trying to bite or lick the anal area if reachable
Sitting in an abnormal position
Constipation
Perianal Pain
Scooting
Anal itch
Malodor as the secretion leaks from the sac but never empties
Cats defecating outside litter box
Pungent Anal Odor
Blood or Pus in the perianal area
Anal Sac impaction and abscessation are painful!
Many pet owners and groomers try to express the sac manually by pressing on the outer anal ring at the three/four and eight/nine positions on the face of a clock.
The danger of having the sacs emptied [i.e. external expression] by a person not cognitive of anal sac anatomy has been documented by veterinarians.
If the lay person presses too hard, it can lead to sac rupture and abscessation in the area of the internal and external sphincter muscles. This can lead to painful complications and unnecessary surgery for your pet.
The veterinarian uses internal sac expression
With an understanding of anatomy and anal sac pathology, the veterinarian can safely empty the impacted sacs. This procedure is accomplished with twilight anesthesia; sedatives; analgesics; and at times local anesthesia of the anal area.
Key Point:
Routine emptying, when the patient is showing no sign of discomfort, is contraindicated. Frequent unnecessary expression can lead to inflammation; infection; or increased filling of the sacs from operator induced trauma to the site.
Co-Morbidities and Anal Sac Impaction
Obesity can lead to anal sac problems. Watch you pet's weight and seek help from your Primary Care Doctor of Veterinary Medicine on techniques for weight control.
Allergy, anal impaction, and anal sacculitis are definitely linked. Patients with flea allergy dermatitis; food allergy; and atopic dermatitis are commonly affected with anal sac impactions. See your veterinarian and discuss a dermatologist referral and/or a dermatology work up at your general practice if allergy is in question.
Other Causes for Scooting and Anal Discomfort
Perianal Tumors-benign and malignant
Pruritic Anal Syndrome from diarrhea
Intestinal Parasites
Matted Hair from poor grooming
Flea Allergy, Food Allergy and/or Atopic Dermatitis
Colitis-Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Cat Anal Sac Mythology
Cats with chronic anal impaction and sacculitis are commonly diagnosed as "behavior induced problems"! That is not always the case! Behavioral problems can cause obscessive-compusive disorders but they are not always the cause of anal impaction and sacculitis.
You have been told or read that cats do not have anal sacs! This is totally INCORRECT!
Cat anal sacs being expressed externally is as effective as internal expression by a veterinarian with sedation. This is totally INCORRECT. The lay person or pet owner can cause severe pain to their pet trying to empty a sac that is impacted or infected. Even worse, the lay person can cause rupture and abscesstion requiring surgery.
How often should my dog or cat's Anal Sacs be expressed? What else can I do?
As stated earlier, let your veterinarian be your guide.
Ask for a diagnostic work-up to rule out allergy and other bowel problems that could be contributing to the frequent anal sac impactions.
Follow the Companion Animal Parasite Council recommendations on deworming of your pet to rule out parasites as a cause of anal impactions and sacculitis. Utilize a prescription flea control product, for ALL outdoor cats, as outlined by your General Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
Anecdotal reports have recommended adding fiber to the diet to help keep the anal orifice open during bowel movements. A good source of fiber for dogs and cats is unflavored-unseasoned canned pumpkin puree.
A cat would be given 1 tsp twice daily. Some cats love pumpkin-others need the pumpkin mixed with honey. For the finicky cat purchase a high quality cat treat and pulverize it into a granular consistency. Coat the pumpkin puree with this topping to entice your cat to try the pumpkin.
For Small Dogs add 1 tsp pumpkin puree twice daily to the diet.
For Medium Dogs add 2 tsp. pumpkin puree twice daily to the diet.
For Large and Giant Breeds add two tbsp. of a pumpkin puree twice daily to the diet.
The Future Is Now!
Rather than simple internal expression of the anal sacs with sedation/twilight anesthesia, veterinarians are now proposing a new technique~~~The Anal Sac Infusion.
With twilight sedation/analgesia, the veterinarian with a special curved tip syringe flushes debris and infected material from the sac with a normal saline solution.
The veterinarian then removes the saline and replaces it with an infusion of an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory medicine.
This infusion is absorbed and the remainder naturally eliminated by the dog or cat over a 30 day period.
Ask your Regular Doctor of Veterinary Medicine about Anal Sac Infusions if you find yourself constantly or frequenlty returning to your local doctor of veterinary medicine for internal expression.
These infusions can decrease the number of follow-up visits to your veterinarian as long as all co-morbidities have been examined and eliminated as causative factors of anal sac pathology.
Questions:
E-Mail DonDeForge100@gmail.com
Don DeForge, VMD
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