Hi- My 12 year old male cat started licking his bottom constantly last week. We put him in a cone to keep him from getting a hot spot. The area started to heal but we just noticed the top of his anus is swollen. Do you know what is causing it? Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered | 12 years and 3 months old | 15 lbs

I agree with you. The top of the anus does look swollen. I do not know what from. He needs an exam in person from your vet. In the meantime you can just apply a thin layer of Neosporin to the affected area to hopefully soothe him.

Why is my 12-year-old cat's anus swollen and he keeps licking?

Health & Wellbeing

Cats anus is slightly swollen but definitely not prolapsed yet, what should we do?

If your pets anal area is swollen and there was diarrhea before this happened, then there are two possible scenarios here 1) Your pet has severe colitis and needs antibiotics (Metronidazole helps with GI issues and inflammation of the gut) prescribed by a veterinarian. They will also recommend a bland diet of boiled chicken and rice or cottage cheese or a low fat dog formula like Hill's I/D or over the counter Purina EN Gastrointestinal and potential probiotics (you can try Culturelle it works great). 2) If the swelling is actually to the side of the anus then this could be an impacted anal gland- which also should be treated and express by a veterinarian.

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Health & Wellbeing

Cat keeps locking his rectum. It looks like it's swollen a little

This means that something is itching his anus. This could be due to an allergy, certain parasites (pin worm), or an issue with his anal sacs. The best thing you can do at home is to clean the area with cool water once a day. Flush the anus gently with cool water for 2-5 minutes as tolerated by the cat. Avoid wiping the area as this can cause further irritation. If needed, you can blot the area with cotton to remove any debris. If this is continuing for longer than a week, then it's best to have a vet check him out. They'll be able to help narrow-down the cause of this and provide the most effective treatment. I hope that helps and all is well with Kitty kotty.

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Health & Wellbeing

Our 13 year old, indoor, female cat, Zena, appears to have a swollen, "bottom." She licks the area frequently. Zena does not appear to be in any pain, is eating her hard food and drinking her water, as normal. She is having regular bowel movements. H

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Zena. I would recommend that she sees her veterinarian to have her anal glands examined. These are glands that sit just under the skin on either side of the anus. They are supposed to express everytime the animal defecates. However, they can become blocked or infected. This is uncomfortable for the cat resulting is licking or scooting. The veterinarian can express the material of the glands are too full. Occasionally the gland will rupture due to infection. In this case, the gland needs to be flushed out and the patient requires medication. Of course, there could be something else going on which is why she needs to be examined. I hope this information helps!

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Training & Behavior

My dogs anus is red and swollen he keeps licking it

Red’s anus does look irritated and I can see some redness on the underside of his tail as well. He might be licking due to irritation from full anal glands, parasites or allergies. I would recommend having your vet examine him and check his anal glands. They may want to check a stool sample as well. Oral or topical medications might help. I would recommend putting an e-collar on to prevent licking until you can get to the vet.

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Health & Wellbeing

My kitten is acting and playing normal but his butt is swollen and part of it is sticking out. What 's the cause and what can I do

Swelling of the anus/rectum could be due to constipation/hard stools, anal gland issues, allergies, irritation, or other problems. You would need to have the area looked at by your vet to determine what is going on and get the appropriate treatment. Be sure to let your vet known of any other issues you may have seen such as changes in appetite, energy levels, stool habits, etc. You can also use an Elizabethan (cone) collar to prevent your cat from licking/chewing at the affected area if it is bothersome until you can get to your vet.

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Training & Behavior

My cat's anus and vagina area is swelling, the fur around it is shed, and she is licking it again and again. This all happened within one day. On the other hand rest of her activities are normal like eating , drinking and playing. What can be the rea

Thank you for the photo. Yes, it does look serious but I cannot give you a specific diagnosis just based on this photo and your description. She is licking back there either because something is hurting her (so she is in pain) or she has an infection of either the anal area and/or the vagina/uterus/bladder. I am glad she is otherwise acting normally but that does not mean there is no problem here. I suggest you have her to a vet for an exam.

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Health & Wellbeing

Hey, my pet Oreo is has hemorrhoids I didn't know this before he sits in litter pot for no reason and keep sitting in it for hours today I saw him with flash light the whole anus area was swelled and there was white thick fluid in there. He keeps lic

When you say he is still sick, I understand that you are concerned he has a fever; but what other symptoms is he showing? Is he vomiting? When you mention he was sitting in the litter box for hours, is he constipated? Was your vet concerned about constipation when you took him in? I suspect that the white thick fluid was from Oreo's anal glands. As far as what you should do at this time, follow the instructions from your vet for the mediations, and if you feel like Oreo is getting worse, or that the medication isn't helping, take him back to your vet. If your vet is closed for the holiday, they will have a message of where you should call if you have an emergency. Please seek emergency care if: *Oreo is becoming very lethargic, is reluctant or unable to move, or seems very painful. *If Oreo is spending a lot of time in the box posturing to urinate and no urine is coming out *If Oreo is vomiting all water and food or if he has gone more than 3 entire days without eating anyth

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Health & Wellbeing

I noticed this evening that my cat's anus is red and swollen. She has been eating and drinking normally and has been her usual active, crazy little self. There isn't any diarrhea in her cat box and we haven't changed her diet at all. This was the fir

Poor girl. So it seems that Lela has a moderate amount of colon inflammation and a little bit of the colon is actually prolapsed (pushing outward). She should be seen by your vet immediately to have this area evaluated in person and determine if she needs to have this surgically repaired. I hope that you get some resolve soon for Lela and I am hoping for a full and speedy recovery. It is amazing what cats can go through and not seem to be affected by. They are truly the masters at hiding discomfort and pain. But we have to not use that as a ticket to avoiding proper veterinary care. The vet may even want to prescribe an anti-inflammatory medication to see if they can get this to reduce in size. Best wishes at the vet. Take care.

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Health & Wellbeing

My cat seems to have a painful outgrowth below her anus. She keeps licking it, and gets in and out of the litter box without defecating. She's peeing, but I'm not sure about pooping yet. She drinks and eats nornally; and her activity levels are norma

This kind of lump/growth needs to be ideally assessed by your veterinarian to have a definitive and specific answer. Usually there are two ways your vet can do that a part from examining it directly during physical examination. A biopsy can be taken under local or general anesthetic, otherwise a smaller sample through a fine needle can be aspirated (this technique is called FNA= fine needle aspiration). Differentials include skin cysts, infections, benign or more sinister type of tumors (very unlikely given the age). Treatment would depend on the underlying cause. Disinfection can eventually be started at home with very diluted hibiscrub or betadine or salted water baths. Buster collar may be useful as well to avoid any licking. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. Please find the time to give us a feedback about the consultation as that wi

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Training & Behavior

My cat has been licking her anal area for the past few days. We looked at her anus and it’s swollen and leaking clear fluid. Her appetite has been normal but she has been acting a little weird. Should we take her to the vet immediately? She’s also a

Poor Boots. Yes I would take her into a vet immediately. It's clear the area is bothering her if she is licking it a lot, plus the anus is swollen and leaking fluid. This needs to be checked out by a vet asap so it can get treated. I hope this helps!

Updated on September 24th, 2025

Why is my 12-year-old cat's anus swollen and he keeps licking?

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Why is my 12-year-old cat's anus swollen and he keeps licking?

Most Helpful Answer

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Related Questions

Cats anus is slightly swollen but definitely not prolapsed yet, what should we do?

Cat keeps locking his rectum. It looks like it's swollen a little

Our 13 year old, indoor, female cat, Zena, appears to have a swollen, "bottom." She licks the area frequently. Zena does not appear to be in any pain, is eating her hard food and drinking her water, as normal. She is having regular bowel movements. H

My dogs anus is red and swollen he keeps licking it

My kitten is acting and playing normal but his butt is swollen and part of it is sticking out. What 's the cause and what can I do

My cat's anus and vagina area is swelling, the fur around it is shed, and she is licking it again and again. This all happened within one day. On the other hand rest of her activities are normal like eating , drinking and playing. What can be the rea

Hey, my pet Oreo is has hemorrhoids I didn't know this before he sits in litter pot for no reason and keep sitting in it for hours today I saw him with flash light the whole anus area was swelled and there was white thick fluid in there. He keeps lic

I noticed this evening that my cat's anus is red and swollen. She has been eating and drinking normally and has been her usual active, crazy little self. There isn't any diarrhea in her cat box and we haven't changed her diet at all. This was the fir

My cat seems to have a painful outgrowth below her anus. She keeps licking it, and gets in and out of the litter box without defecating. She's peeing, but I'm not sure about pooping yet. She drinks and eats nornally; and her activity levels are norma

My cat has been licking her anal area for the past few days. We looked at her anus and it’s swollen and leaking clear fluid. Her appetite has been normal but she has been acting a little weird. Should we take her to the vet immediately? She’s also a

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