Inflammation of the paraanal glands in cats

Pet owners may encounter such a problem as inflammation of the paranal glands in cats, which is fraught with negative consequences and requires treatment immediately after its detection.

Causes inflammation of the paraanal glands in cats

Most mammals, including the feline family, have a pair of anal sacs (pouches) between the anal sphincter muscles, bounded by connective tissue and lined with squamous epithelium. They are called paraanal sinuses (sinus paranalis), and their walls contain glands - sebaceous and apocrine. Each sinus has a narrow and short duct that opens on the side of the inner edge of the anus.

The paraanal sinuses contain glandular secretions and exfoliated epithelial cells, and this secretion with an extremely unpleasant odor (which cats use to mark “their territory” and excrement) can be of varying consistency – from liquid to very thick. Most cats are able to systematically release this secretion from the glands on their own: it is released during defecation, when the sinus is pressed by hard fecal matter and contractions of the external anal sphincter.

But some pets may experience problems in the form of enlarged paranal sinuses and their inflammation.

As veterinarians note, the most common causes of sacculitis or paraanal sinusitis, that is, inflammation of the paraanal glands/sinuses, are blockage of the paraanal sinus ducts and obstruction of their patency, leading to stagnation of secretions.

Risk factors

The main risk factors for the development of inflammation of the paranal glands/sinuses include:

• chronic constipation or loose stools (diarrhea);
• intestinal helminthiasis (including that caused by feeding cats raw meat and fish);
• violation of the obligate intestinal microbiota of various etiologies;
• physical inactivity and obesity;
• too soft food;
• presence of food allergies;
• decreased tone of the anal sphincter muscles;
• trauma to the anal area with damage to the paraanal sinus ducts;
• hereditary predisposition.

Pathogenesis

The mechanism of development of the inflammatory process – the pathogenesis of paraanal sinusitis – is explained by the fact that in the accumulated secretion, the intensive reproduction of opportunistic bacteria present in it initially and pathogenic microorganisms entering from the rectum begins.

But veterinarians do not yet know why the glands of some animals produce too thick a secretion, or whether there is an increased production of it.

Symptoms inflammation of the paraanal glands in cats

The very first signs of inflammation of the paraanal glands/sinuses are more frequent and prolonged licking of the groin area by the cat. Also at the first stage

An animal may demonstrate its discomfort during defecation by defecating outside the litter box.

Severe itching in the anal area at the next stage of the disease is manifested by restless behavior and attempts to relieve it by “rolling” on the rear part (sitting on the floor, raising the tail and stretching the hind legs forward).

In addition, symptoms include a decrease in the animal's appetite, decreased motor activity, and stiffness in the rear when walking. There may be minor foul-smelling discharge of a thick consistency from under the tail, and the area around the anus may be swollen and reddened. On one or both sides of the anus, there are protruding areas under the skin that are hard to the touch and quite painful for the animal.

Complications and consequences

The most serious complications and consequences of such inflammation are the development of an abscess, its rupture (with the release of pus and ichor and the possible spread of infection into the pelvic cavity) and the formation of a perianal fistula, that is, a fistula.

When a fistula occurs in the tissues surrounding the anus, a wound with serous discharge and a bad odor appears in the anus (sometimes involving a significant part of the sphincter) or in the rectum.

Diagnostics inflammation of the paraanal glands in cats

Specialists diagnose this type of inflammation based on examination and existing symptoms.

Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnostics are carried out with helminthiasis, inflammation of the genitals and malignant tumors of anorectal localization.

Treatment inflammation of the paraanal glands in cats

If your cat shows signs of problems with the anal glands, you should visit a veterinarian who can professionally help the animal by manually cleaning the sinuses from stagnant secretions and performing appropriate antiseptic treatment.

Rectal suppositories with ichthyol are allowed, which are administered twice a day for a week. Synthomycin liniment or Levomekol ointment are also used for inflammation of the paranal glands in cats.

Infectious inflammation with the formation of pus is treated with antibiotics. Veterinarians prescribe such drugs as Ampicillin or Amoxicillin (amoxicillin with clavulanic acid); veterinary suspension for subcutaneous and intramuscular injections Clavil (amoxicillin + potassium clavulanate) - for five to seven days, one injection (the dose is calculated based on the animal's body weight); Cephalen 1000 (Cefalexin) and Cephalen suspension for oral administration.

Homeopathy for animals can be used, in particular, anti-inflammatory drugs with analgesic and healing effects, such as Traumatine (in the form of an injection solution) or Trauma-gel (for external use).

If conservative therapy is ineffective, surgical treatment is used as a radical measure – removal of paraanal sinuses. This operation is often complicated by narrowing of the rectum or fecal incontinence.

Prevention

Preventive measures concern some factors that increase the risk of developing inflammation of the paranal glands.

In particular, it is necessary to rid the cat of worms in a timely manner, treat any intestinal disorders, and not overfeed the animal to the point of obesity. It is also recommended to introduce a sufficient amount of fiber into the diet - to increase the volume of feces, which will exert greater pressure on the glands during defecation, allowing them to cleanse themselves.

Forecast

Timely treatment ensures a favorable prognosis for the outcome of this inflammation, although its relapses are not excluded. But in the case of an abscess, there is a real threat to the life of the animal.