Yes, that is the secretion of my cat’s anal glands (I suddenly felt nauseous when I just finished eating)
Next, let’s get to know the anal glands, and whether the anal glands need it? Need to clean up, when to clean up, how to clean up.
What are the anal glands
The anal glands are pouch-shaped glands located in the anal sphincter, located at about five and seven o’clock in the anus. Gently touch inward with your fingers, you can touch two glands the size of soybeans, which are located under the skin.
(I was a little scared when I saw these two holes, and felt that something was sprayed out at any time)
The role of anal glands:
①Smell mark, individual Recognition between
②Aid defecation, lubricate the stool
③Defense function, secrete when feeling dangerous (it is estimated that it can stink the other party away)
No need to clean up
① Normal bowel movements, no frequent loose stools or constipation
② Anus and anal glands clean , no cysts
③ Cats do not lick frequently, and there is no other abnormality
In this case, there is actually no need to clean the anal glands, because in normal cats and dogs In this case, the contraction of the anal sphincter during defecation will squeeze the anal glands, and the anal glands will not accumulate and block secretions and cause other problems.
Situations that need to be cleaned up
Why do you need to clean up?
Because the anal sac is filled with liquid, the anal sphincter is weak or not contracted due to various reasons, resulting in the secretion becoming viscous and even semi-solid or solid content, resulting in packing, Then it becomes inflamed, ulcerated and eroded, and pus-like material can flow out through the fistula from one or both anal sacs.
What should be paid attention to:
① When the cat is obese, the excretion may decrease to the anal glands Squeeze, resulting in accumulation problems
② Anal gland orifices are black and dirty, swollen, and even discharge pus-like substances
③ Accompanied by foul smell
④ The cat licks frequently
⑤ Long-term soft stool or constipation
⑥ The cat frequently rubs the butt on the ground
A few of the above situations will Indicates that the anal glands need to be cleaned.
Note: If there are serious anal redness, ulcers, bloody stools, etc., please seek medical attention. Do not blindly clean up. This situation requires intervention by a doctor.
How to clean up
Method one: extrusion method
(from the Internet )
After restraining the cat, put on gloves, put the index finger and thumb on the anal gland (in the direction of 5 o’clock and 7 o’clock in the anus) across the toilet paper, and push it slightly upward and diagonally inward until the excretion is clean.
Advantages: It is suitable for cats that have been blocked for a long time or even cause inflammation, and the emptying is relatively thorough.
Disadvantages: cats struggle seriously, inexperienced novice often cannot grasp the correct method, resulting in secondary Injury
Method 2: Stimulating jet method
Reverse the cat to hold it, gently stroke the tendons on both sides of the hind legs, the cat’s anus is stimulated and shrinks slightly, and the anal glands It will spray out at this time. Attention, or that paper towel to block it! ! Otherwise, you will regret your ignorance.
Advantages: Suitable for beginners, low difficulty, avoid secondary damage
Disadvantages: It smells bad if it splashes on the hair, not suitable for cats that have been clogged for a long time. Excretion failure or incompleteness occurs
Finally, regarding the cleaning cycle, normal cats can use it once every two months, and cats with a high risk of blockage can use it once a month.
