The anal glands are located just beneath your cat's skin on either side of her bottom and they have a duct that empties out at the level of the anus. It's not entirely certain what the function of the anal glands is. The function may be to lubricate and ease the passing of feces or they may have a scent function as they contain a very strong and unpleasant odor.
Whatever their function, a cat may experience problems with her anal glands. If the anal glands aren't emptied frequently enough, the secretion may build up and cause discomfort and irritation. Further, the glands can become infected and even lead to an abscess. One sign that your cat may have an anal gland problem is if she is scooting her bottom on the ground in order to alleviate the discomfort.
Some cats are prone to recurring anal gland problems, in which case the anal glands may periodically need to be squeezed by your veterinarian in order to remove the secretion. If the problem becomes a very frequent one, such as every week or so, surgery may be required to remove the gland tissue. Because overweight cats tend to more prone to anal gland problems, weight loss is often recommended. Further, there is some proof that an increase in fiber in your pet's diet can help to prevent anal gland problems. |
