Re: ot: Antonio

[ETrent]

To be honest - I don't really know other than signs of pain (maybe redness or visible signs of infection) but I am going to read about it.  I will be vigilant looking for any little signs from now on.  Can't stand to think of my boy in pain.   *yuck alert *   When the vet tech raised his tail a certain way you could see a little bit of infection on two sides.  She was going to take his temperature but when she saw that she knew what it was and said she wouldn't put him through that - and I'm glad she didn't.    The vet drew pictures on the white board and showed me how things work and explained how infections can happen.  There is a gland on either side of the rectum - and they connect to sacs internally that are filled with fluid.  Normally, when a cat has a bowel movement, that puts enough pressure on the sacs to expel them.  The function of these anal sacs is scent...and they tend to function rather well in that regard.  If a cat has runny stools (as Antonio did not long ago) - there isn't enough pressure to expel those glands and the fluid inside can become thick because it isn't released.  Any gland that doesn't drain properly becomes infected.  Then when they do try to do their business it becomes very painful.  They said there are some cats that just won't go at all because it hurts so much and then they can have blockages.   Additionally, when cats are overweight, those glands tend to be more recessed and that can lead to infections because they don't get expressed properly on a regular basis.   They checked out his bladder too just to make sure he didn't have a UTI.   *end yuck alert*   We did discuss putting Antonio on the light formula cat food.  I'm going to get my deliveries changed today.  I think we  both need the tread mill.   elizabeth     In a message dated 11/6/2006 4:44:17 P.M. Central Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Apart from how she found out Antonio needed anal sacks expressed, how do you know if your cat needs this done?  Just curious. Leslie =^..^=   On 11/6/06, [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: When I went home to take Antonio to the vet's...he went in the laundry room - turned his back end toward me, squatted over the dust pan (something he would NEVER do)...and assumed 'the position' for a few minutes....he was telling mama something is wrong.  He looked like he was trying to go potty but nothing was going on.   We just got back from the vet's.  That poor sweet boy had some very infected anal sacs.  I feel bad because I didn't know sooner.  They expressed them and gave him a steroid shot and an antibiotic shot.  Antonio was such a trooper.  He loves everybody.  He's not at all afraid to ride in the car.  After the vet did what must have been a very painful procedure - Antonio gave the vet head butts.  He loved on the vet tech too.  He's just the sweetest big ol' boy.   He's taking Clavamox.  We go back Monday for a check-up.   If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow man. ~St. Francis