ANAL SAC DISEASE IN THE CAT
The anal sacs are located on either side of the anus just under the skin at the 4 o’clock and 8 o’
clock positions. They connect to the anus by means of small canals called ducts. Anal sacs
produce and store a dark, foul-smelling fluid. These are the same types of organs that a skunk
has to scare away its enemies and mark territory. Although cats use their anal sacs for the same
purpose, most domestic cats have no need to mark territory or repel predators. Because the sacs
are rarely emptied, the fluid builds up, solidifies, and becomes an ideal environment for bacteria to
thrive.
What diseases occur in the anal sacs?
There are three diseases that occur in the anal sacs.
1. When the fluid becomes thick and solidified, the condition is called impaction.
2. When bacteria grow in this material producing yellow or bloody pus, the condition is called
infection.
3. When the infection builds to create a hot, tender swelling in the gland, the condition is called an
abscess. When the abscessed material overflows the sac or the duct leading to the sac becomes
obstructed, the skin over the sac breaks open, and the pus drains onto the skin.
What are the clinical signs?
Symptoms of anal sac disease are:
1. Scooting or dragging the anal area.
2. Excessive licking under the tail.
3. Pain, sometimes severe, near the tail or anus.
4. A swollen area on either side of the anus.
5. Bloody or sticky drainage on either side of the anus.
How are these diseases treated?
The treatment for impaction is to express the sacs and clean out the solidified material. For
infection, the sacs must be expressed and antibiotics administered to kill the bacteria. If the sacs
abscess, the abscess must be surgically drained and antibiotics administered.
How likely is it for anal sac disease to occur again?
It is not very common for cats to have recurrent anal sac disease. However, some overweight cats
will have chronic anal sac problems. The anal sacs of obese cats do not drain well, thus these
cats are predisposed to recurrent problems. If a cat has several episodes of anal sac disease, the
anal sacs can be removed surgically. Because these sacs are virtually unused, there is no loss to
the cat. It is the only way to permanently cure the problem.
Are there any common surgical complications?
Surgery requires general anesthesia which always carries some degree of risk, whether the
patient is a cat or a person. However, modern anesthetics make this risk minimal for cats that are
otherwise healthy.
Some cats will experience lack of bowel control after the surgery. They may drop fecal balls as
they walk. This occurs because the nerves that control the anus are near the anal sacs and may
be damaged during surgery. However, this is almost always a temporary problem that will resolve
a few days to a few weeks after surgery.
Can anything else happen to anal sacs?
Some cats are born with anal canals that do not close well. These cats are constantly draining
anal sac fluid and leaving a foul-smelling drop wherever they have been. This is another
indication for anal sac removal. There does not appear to be any other way to stop this, and
these cats do not outgrow this problem.
The anal sacs are located on either side of the anus just under the skin at the 4 o’clock and 8 o’
clock positions. They connect to the anus by means of small canals called ducts. Anal sacs
produce and store a dark, foul-smelling fluid. These are the same types of organs that a skunk
has to scare away its enemies and mark territory. Although cats use their anal sacs for the same
purpose, most domestic cats have no need to mark territory or repel predators. Because the sacs
are rarely emptied, the fluid builds up, solidifies, and becomes an ideal environment for bacteria to
thrive.
What diseases occur in the anal sacs?
There are three diseases that occur in the anal sacs.
1. When the fluid becomes thick and solidified, the condition is called impaction.
2. When bacteria grow in this material producing yellow or bloody pus, the condition is called
infection.
3. When the infection builds to create a hot, tender swelling in the gland, the condition is called an
abscess. When the abscessed material overflows the sac or the duct leading to the sac becomes
obstructed, the skin over the sac breaks open, and the pus drains onto the skin.
What are the clinical signs?
Symptoms of anal sac disease are:
1. Scooting or dragging the anal area.
2. Excessive licking under the tail.
3. Pain, sometimes severe, near the tail or anus.
4. A swollen area on either side of the anus.
5. Bloody or sticky drainage on either side of the anus.
How are these diseases treated?
The treatment for impaction is to express the sacs and clean out the solidified material. For
infection, the sacs must be expressed and antibiotics administered to kill the bacteria. If the sacs
abscess, the abscess must be surgically drained and antibiotics administered.
How likely is it for anal sac disease to occur again?
It is not very common for cats to have recurrent anal sac disease. However, some overweight cats
will have chronic anal sac problems. The anal sacs of obese cats do not drain well, thus these
cats are predisposed to recurrent problems. If a cat has several episodes of anal sac disease, the
anal sacs can be removed surgically. Because these sacs are virtually unused, there is no loss to
the cat. It is the only way to permanently cure the problem.
Are there any common surgical complications?
Surgery requires general anesthesia which always carries some degree of risk, whether the
patient is a cat or a person. However, modern anesthetics make this risk minimal for cats that are
otherwise healthy.
Some cats will experience lack of bowel control after the surgery. They may drop fecal balls as
they walk. This occurs because the nerves that control the anus are near the anal sacs and may
be damaged during surgery. However, this is almost always a temporary problem that will resolve
a few days to a few weeks after surgery.
Can anything else happen to anal sacs?
Some cats are born with anal canals that do not close well. These cats are constantly draining
anal sac fluid and leaving a foul-smelling drop wherever they have been. This is another
indication for anal sac removal. There does not appear to be any other way to stop this, and
these cats do not outgrow this problem.
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| Animal Hospital of Fate 1001 North W.E.Crawford (Highway 66 in Fate) 972-722-0066 |
1001 North W.E.Crawford (Highway 66 in Fate) Rockwall, Texas 75087 972-722-0066 |
| Dusty B. Goucher, DVM |