small soft lump under cat's tail

[quincymycat]

I found a small, soft, lump under Milo's tail, right between his anus and the base of the tail at about the 1:00 o'clock position. It does not seem to be bothering him at all...no licking, etc and to the touch it almost feels fluid filled.
Do cats have anal glands that need to be expressed? I have never encountered that with any kitties before.
I am going to try to get him in to see my vet on Monday...but it just has me bothered for the time being.
Any comments would be appreciated.

[14+kitties]

Sounds like an anal gland to me QMC. They can be bothersome. I think it was onster's Onnie who had issues last year. May have been Bunduk. How have Milo's poops been lately? Soft and smushy or firm? I believe if the poop is not firm enough that is sometimes when anal glands don't get expressed. Or maybe one of his is blocked. Better to have it checked for your piece of mind.

[quincymycat]

Originally Posted by 14+kitties

Sounds like an anal gland to me QMC. They can be bothersome. I think it was onster's Onnie who had issues last year. May have been Bunduk. How have Milo's poops been lately? Soft and smushy or firm? I believe if the poop is not firm enough that is sometimes when anal glands don't get expressed. Or maybe one of his is blocked. Better to have it checked for your piece of mind.

Milo has always had fairly firm poops...the location bothers me though because the diagram of the anal gland location is much lower and this lump is almost completely anterior of the anus.
I will be bringing him on Monday...that can be my 60 minute workout...trying to catch him to crate him...Mr Oh No You Dont!!!
Thanks 14+.
I remember Onnie had alot problems.

[14+kitties]

Originally Posted by quincymycat

Milo has always had fairly firm poops...the location bothers me though because the diagram of the anal gland location is much lower and this lump is almost completely anterior of the anus.
I will be bringing him on Monday...that can be my 60 minute workout...trying to catch him to crate him...Mr Oh No You Dont!!!
Thanks 14+.
I remember Onnie had alot problems.

I hear you. Dart goes for his big snip tomorrow. He will be spending the night in a crate so I don't have to chase him for an hour tomorrow at 6 AM. Not the way I want to start the day. I can also make sure he doesn't get into the food overnight this way.
It could be just a sebaceous cyst too. They are pretty common with cats. Orbit has one on the base of his tail. Doesn't bother him until Mommy decides to poke it.
Good luck. I have no doubt Milo will be at the vets asap on Monday.

[SamIam]

Finally found what I was looking for.
In cats they are located at 4 o'clock and 8 o'clock.

[Chris21711]

Originally Posted by SamIam

Finally found what I was looking for.
In cats they are located at 4 o'clock and 8 o'clock.

I already sent QMC a link with a diagram.....she doesn't think it is an anal gland based on the diagram.

[quincymycat]

Originally Posted by 14+kitties

I hear you. Dart goes for his big snip tomorrow. He will be spending the night in a crate so I don't have to chase him for an hour tomorrow at 6 AM. Not the way I want to start the day. I can also make sure he doesn't get into the food overnight this way.
It could be just a sebaceous cyst too. They are pretty common with cats. Orbit has one on the base of his tail. Doesn't bother him until Mommy decides to poke it.
Good luck. I have no doubt Milo will be at the vets asap on Monday.

Good luck with Dart!!!

The same thing as Orbit with Milo...since I discovered it...I keep checking...he had no probelms until I found it..now ... go away Mom!

The other guys, with the exception of the semi feral, Chloe, can be caught without too much trouble..but Milo is not the pick me up type cat!

You know me so well....I have a "golden key" with my vet...same as you!

Hoping it is something as easy to treat a sebaceous gland cyst. It will still need to be drained and tested anyway...for my satisfaction if nothing else.

Thanks for the words of encouragement!!

[14+kitties]

Originally Posted by quincymycat

Good luck with Dart!!!

Thank you. I'm petrified. But I'm not threadjacking your thread any more.

The same thing as Orbit with Milo...since I discovered it...I keep checking...he had no probelms until I found it..now ... go away Mom!

I love it!! They let you know to tick off, don't they?

The other guys, with the exception of the semi feral, Chloe, can be caught without too much trouble..but Milo is not the pick me up type cat!

Have you ever tried the trick of leaving the carriers out for them to use as beds? Then when you need to put one in they aren't as loath to go in.


You know me so well....I have a "golden key" with my vet...same as you!

With this many we need a golden key! Now if I could get her to drop her prices a bit.............

Hoping it is something as easy to treat a sebaceous gland cyst. It will still need to be drained and tested anyway...for my satisfaction if nothing else.

Thanks for the words of encouragement!!

I'll keep my and send up a prayer or two for you and Milo.

[SamIam]

Yes, cats have anal glands; however, I would still go to the vet to see what is causing the one to behave improperly.

[kathryn]

Technically, you can express them yourself Wouldn't recommend that though, I refuse to do it but it had to be done to dogs and sometimes cats at the shelter every so often... it's just a tad bit horrifyingly disgusting

Vets often do offer the service separate from an office visit for a reduced cost, if it becomes an ongoing thing.

[Love4himies]

Originally Posted by quincymycat

I found a small, soft, lump under Milo's tail, right between his anus and the base of the tail at about the 1:00 o'clock position. It does not seem to be bothering him at all...no licking, etc and to the touch it almost feels fluid filled.
Do cats have anal glands that need to be expressed? I have never encountered that with any kitties before.
I am going to try to get him in to see my vet on Monday...but it just has me bothered for the time being.
Any comments would be appreciated.

Yes, it does sound like his anal glands. Jasper doesn't have any signs when his get infected, so I have to have them checked about every 9 months or so.

[quincymycat]

Originally Posted by Love4himies

Yes, it does sound like his anal glands. Jasper doesn't have any signs when his get infected, so I have to have them checked about every 9 months or so.

The only prob I have with this theory is that Chris sent me a diagram about anal glands and this lump is definately NOT where the glands are located.
I am choosing (Hahaha) not to be worried about it until my vet examines him.
That is SO much easier said than done!!

[rainbow]

Good luck at the vet tomorrow .....hope it is nothing serious.

[quincymycat]

Okay Guys....you were right....and I was.....uhmmmm.....NOT as right!!!

Milo had an impacted anal gland....BUT in my defense, the vet did say it was in a rather high position.

As soon as he got on the table...it started to express...likely because the poor guy was so terrified. She cleaned him out, sent him home and the icing on the cake....no charge. I think she was too busy laughing at my inexperience with these things because I have had cats for almost 50 years and never ran across the situation before.

Anyway....all is well...except Milo who is so angry he wont come out from under the bed.

Thanks for all the support.

[rainbow]

WHEW .....glad to hear it was just his anal gland.

And, what a bonus to not get charged ......great vet you got there.

Milo may be a tad ticked off but I bet he sure feels better.