Re: Maine Coon health question

[kaeli]

In article >,
shared the illuminating thought...
> I have three MC's (7 year old male, 4 year old female, 1 year old female)
> all neutered/spayed.
>
> The youngest is having difficulty with loose stools or she's experiencing a
> menstrual cycle (as best as I can describe it). She definitely has the
> loose stool problem, but it is accompanied with a clear mucus-like
> discharge. She is eating and drinking and is responsive and otherwise
> normal though I think she is displeased with her current hygienic state.
>
> I cleaned her up this morning and got rid of the loose stool (just like
> taking care of a baby) which she initially did not enjoy but she's somewhat
> happier now and lets me approach her.
>
> We had another MC female (deceased) who occasionally, say in a 3 to 6 month
> range, would also have the clear discharge which was accompanied by an odor.
> This would last for a few days and then things would clear up. When this
> happened before, the vet said that sometimes there might be material left
> during the neutering process that could cause this kind of response.
>
> The other female (living) had the loose stool problem when we changed food
> (Nutro) and it disappeared when we changed back (Iams).
>
> Any thoughts?
>

Have the anal glands been checked? Normally, the hardness of the stool
expresses them a little each time a cat defacates. This gives the stool
the odor that identifies the cat to other cats. When the stool is loose
for too long, the glands don't get expressed properly and the fluid can
leak out, get impacted, or express when the cat grooms.
I'd have the vet check her anal glands, express them if necessary, and
keep her food to whatever she is used to. Changes in diet can cause
loose stool. If changing, change gradually over a week or two by mixing
in amounts of the new food with the old food.

A cat's heat produces little blood and little odor (to humans). If she
is not spayed, she could be in heat. Menstrual cycle apex in cats is
called heat, it is when they are ready to breed. They do not ovulate
until copulation. If she is spayed, she doesn't have a uterus or ovaries
to produce any fluids.

This sounds more like an anal gland thing to me. The fluid tends to be
clear (or semi-opaque) brownish or whitish, and it has a VERY distinct
and not very pleasant odor that is quite noticable to humans.

----------------------------------------
~kaeli~
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/kaelisSpace
Kill one man and you are a murderer.
Kill millions and you are a conqueror.
Kill everyone and you are God.
----------------------------------------

[kaeli]

In article >,
shared the illuminating thought...
> I have three MC's (7 year old male, 4 year old female, 1 year old female)
> all neutered/spayed.
>
> The youngest is having difficulty with loose stools or she's experiencing a
> menstrual cycle (as best as I can describe it). She definitely has the
> loose stool problem, but it is accompanied with a clear mucus-like
> discharge. She is eating and drinking and is responsive and otherwise
> normal though I think she is displeased with her current hygienic state.
>
> I cleaned her up this morning and got rid of the loose stool (just like
> taking care of a baby) which she initially did not enjoy but she's somewhat
> happier now and lets me approach her.
>
> We had another MC female (deceased) who occasionally, say in a 3 to 6 month
> range, would also have the clear discharge which was accompanied by an odor.
> This would last for a few days and then things would clear up. When this
> happened before, the vet said that sometimes there might be material left
> during the neutering process that could cause this kind of response.
>
> The other female (living) had the loose stool problem when we changed food
> (Nutro) and it disappeared when we changed back (Iams).
>
> Any thoughts?
>

Have the anal glands been checked? Normally, the hardness of the stool
expresses them a little each time a cat defacates. This gives the stool
the odor that identifies the cat to other cats. When the stool is loose
for too long, the glands don't get expressed properly and the fluid can
leak out, get impacted, or express when the cat grooms.
I'd have the vet check her anal glands, express them if necessary, and
keep her food to whatever she is used to. Changes in diet can cause
loose stool. If changing, change gradually over a week or two by mixing
in amounts of the new food with the old food.

A cat's heat produces little blood and little odor (to humans). If she
is not spayed, she could be in heat. Menstrual cycle apex in cats is
called heat, it is when they are ready to breed. They do not ovulate
until copulation. If she is spayed, she doesn't have a uterus or ovaries
to produce any fluids.

This sounds more like an anal gland thing to me. The fluid tends to be
clear (or semi-opaque) brownish or whitish, and it has a VERY distinct
and not very pleasant odor that is quite noticable to humans.

----------------------------------------
~kaeli~
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/kaelisSpace
Kill one man and you are a murderer.
Kill millions and you are a conqueror.
Kill everyone and you are God.
----------------------------------------

[Marilyn & Glenn Spence]

Thank you for the response and information.

As you point out the oder is distinct. She indeed has been spayed and your
description could very well explain what is occurring. I'm waiting for a
call from the vet which I think will result in a journey for Ms. Mittsee.
Is there a way that I can 'express' the glands or is it something that needs
hands-on teaching?.

Glenn

"kaeli" > wrote in message
...
> In article >,
> shared the illuminating thought...
> > I have three MC's (7 year old male, 4 year old female, 1 year old
female)
> > all neutered/spayed.
> >
> > The youngest is having difficulty with loose stools or she's
experiencing a
> > menstrual cycle (as best as I can describe it). She definitely has the
> > loose stool problem, but it is accompanied with a clear mucus-like
> > discharge. She is eating and drinking and is responsive and otherwise
> > normal though I think she is displeased with her current hygienic state.
> >
> > I cleaned her up this morning and got rid of the loose stool (just like
> > taking care of a baby) which she initially did not enjoy but she's
somewhat
> > happier now and lets me approach her.
> >
> > We had another MC female (deceased) who occasionally, say in a 3 to 6
month
> > range, would also have the clear discharge which was accompanied by an
odor.
> > This would last for a few days and then things would clear up. When
this
> > happened before, the vet said that sometimes there might be material
left
> > during the neutering process that could cause this kind of response.
> >
> > The other female (living) had the loose stool problem when we changed
food
> > (Nutro) and it disappeared when we changed back (Iams).
> >
> > Any thoughts?
> >
>
> Have the anal glands been checked? Normally, the hardness of the stool
> expresses them a little each time a cat defacates. This gives the stool
> the odor that identifies the cat to other cats. When the stool is loose
> for too long, the glands don't get expressed properly and the fluid can
> leak out, get impacted, or express when the cat grooms.
> I'd have the vet check her anal glands, express them if necessary, and
> keep her food to whatever she is used to. Changes in diet can cause
> loose stool. If changing, change gradually over a week or two by mixing
> in amounts of the new food with the old food.
>
> A cat's heat produces little blood and little odor (to humans). If she
> is not spayed, she could be in heat. Menstrual cycle apex in cats is
> called heat, it is when they are ready to breed. They do not ovulate
> until copulation. If she is spayed, she doesn't have a uterus or ovaries
> to produce any fluids.
>
> This sounds more like an anal gland thing to me. The fluid tends to be
> clear (or semi-opaque) brownish or whitish, and it has a VERY distinct
> and not very pleasant odor that is quite noticable to humans.
>
> ----------------------------------------
> ~kaeli~
> http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart
> http://www.ipwebdesign.net/kaelisSpace
> Kill one man and you are a murderer.
> Kill millions and you are a conqueror.
> Kill everyone and you are God.
> ----------------------------------------

[Marilyn & Glenn Spence]

Thank you for the response and information.

As you point out the oder is distinct. She indeed has been spayed and your
description could very well explain what is occurring. I'm waiting for a
call from the vet which I think will result in a journey for Ms. Mittsee.
Is there a way that I can 'express' the glands or is it something that needs
hands-on teaching?.

Glenn

"kaeli" > wrote in message
...
> In article >,
> shared the illuminating thought...
> > I have three MC's (7 year old male, 4 year old female, 1 year old
female)
> > all neutered/spayed.
> >
> > The youngest is having difficulty with loose stools or she's
experiencing a
> > menstrual cycle (as best as I can describe it). She definitely has the
> > loose stool problem, but it is accompanied with a clear mucus-like
> > discharge. She is eating and drinking and is responsive and otherwise
> > normal though I think she is displeased with her current hygienic state.
> >
> > I cleaned her up this morning and got rid of the loose stool (just like
> > taking care of a baby) which she initially did not enjoy but she's
somewhat
> > happier now and lets me approach her.
> >
> > We had another MC female (deceased) who occasionally, say in a 3 to 6
month
> > range, would also have the clear discharge which was accompanied by an
odor.
> > This would last for a few days and then things would clear up. When
this
> > happened before, the vet said that sometimes there might be material
left
> > during the neutering process that could cause this kind of response.
> >
> > The other female (living) had the loose stool problem when we changed
food
> > (Nutro) and it disappeared when we changed back (Iams).
> >
> > Any thoughts?
> >
>
> Have the anal glands been checked? Normally, the hardness of the stool
> expresses them a little each time a cat defacates. This gives the stool
> the odor that identifies the cat to other cats. When the stool is loose
> for too long, the glands don't get expressed properly and the fluid can
> leak out, get impacted, or express when the cat grooms.
> I'd have the vet check her anal glands, express them if necessary, and
> keep her food to whatever she is used to. Changes in diet can cause
> loose stool. If changing, change gradually over a week or two by mixing
> in amounts of the new food with the old food.
>
> A cat's heat produces little blood and little odor (to humans). If she
> is not spayed, she could be in heat. Menstrual cycle apex in cats is
> called heat, it is when they are ready to breed. They do not ovulate
> until copulation. If she is spayed, she doesn't have a uterus or ovaries
> to produce any fluids.
>
> This sounds more like an anal gland thing to me. The fluid tends to be
> clear (or semi-opaque) brownish or whitish, and it has a VERY distinct
> and not very pleasant odor that is quite noticable to humans.
>
> ----------------------------------------
> ~kaeli~
> http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart
> http://www.ipwebdesign.net/kaelisSpace
> Kill one man and you are a murderer.
> Kill millions and you are a conqueror.
> Kill everyone and you are God.
> ----------------------------------------

[kaeli]

In article >,
shared the illuminating thought...
> Thank you for the response and information.
>
> As you point out the oder is distinct. She indeed has been spayed and your
> description could very well explain what is occurring. I'm waiting for a
> call from the vet which I think will result in a journey for Ms. Mittsee.
> Is there a way that I can 'express' the glands or is it something that needs
> hands-on teaching?.
>

It depends on how severe the condition is.
Mild cases can be done at home by expressing using the fingers on the
outside of the anus at the 8 and 10 o'clock positions with the cat well-
secured and the tail lifted (cat is standing or crouched).
Moderate has to be done by the vet, as they express by actually putting
their fingers inside the anus rather than doing it from the outside.
Impaction can even require sedation. Abscess requires surgery.

I wouldn't recommend doing it yourself until you've seen the vet do it.
You could hurt the cat - there's a nerve near the anus and if it is
damaged or pinched, could result in a lot of pain for the cat and even
incontinence.
Also, it isn't pleasant for the cat (or you!) so it usually takes two
people. One to hold the cat still and one to do the expression. Or, for
my cat, it takes 4 vet techs and the vet. *LOL*


----------------------------------------
~kaeli~
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/kaelisSpace
Kill one man and you are a murderer.
Kill millions and you are a conqueror.
Kill everyone and you are God.
----------------------------------------

[kaeli]

In article >,
shared the illuminating thought...
> Thank you for the response and information.
>
> As you point out the oder is distinct. She indeed has been spayed and your
> description could very well explain what is occurring. I'm waiting for a
> call from the vet which I think will result in a journey for Ms. Mittsee.
> Is there a way that I can 'express' the glands or is it something that needs
> hands-on teaching?.
>

It depends on how severe the condition is.
Mild cases can be done at home by expressing using the fingers on the
outside of the anus at the 8 and 10 o'clock positions with the cat well-
secured and the tail lifted (cat is standing or crouched).
Moderate has to be done by the vet, as they express by actually putting
their fingers inside the anus rather than doing it from the outside.
Impaction can even require sedation. Abscess requires surgery.

I wouldn't recommend doing it yourself until you've seen the vet do it.
You could hurt the cat - there's a nerve near the anus and if it is
damaged or pinched, could result in a lot of pain for the cat and even
incontinence.
Also, it isn't pleasant for the cat (or you!) so it usually takes two
people. One to hold the cat still and one to do the expression. Or, for
my cat, it takes 4 vet techs and the vet. *LOL*


----------------------------------------
~kaeli~
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/kaelisSpace
Kill one man and you are a murderer.
Kill millions and you are a conqueror.
Kill everyone and you are God.
----------------------------------------

[kaeli]

In article >,
shared the illuminating thought...
> Thanks again,
>
> We'll be off to the vet on Friday. Since you mentioned the nerve, I wonder
> if that was why she disagreed with me washing her. I thought it might be
> because she was tender from the diarrhea, but now I'm wondering if it was
> the other. I feel sorry for her as she's not a happy camper right now.
> Tomorrow will be revealing.
>

When they have problems with the anus, either from the glands or from
diarrhea, it gets sore. That's why it takes a couple people to clean the
glands out, as it is a bit painful for the cat and they squirm. But they
feel a lot better after it's done.

Let me know what happens.

----------------------------------------
~kaeli~
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/kaelisSpace
Kill one man and you are a murderer.
Kill millions and you are a conqueror.
Kill everyone and you are God.
----------------------------------------

[kaeli]

In article >,
shared the illuminating thought...
> Thanks again,
>
> We'll be off to the vet on Friday. Since you mentioned the nerve, I wonder
> if that was why she disagreed with me washing her. I thought it might be
> because she was tender from the diarrhea, but now I'm wondering if it was
> the other. I feel sorry for her as she's not a happy camper right now.
> Tomorrow will be revealing.
>

When they have problems with the anus, either from the glands or from
diarrhea, it gets sore. That's why it takes a couple people to clean the
glands out, as it is a bit painful for the cat and they squirm. But they
feel a lot better after it's done.

Let me know what happens.

----------------------------------------
~kaeli~
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/kaelisSpace
Kill one man and you are a murderer.
Kill millions and you are a conqueror.
Kill everyone and you are God.
----------------------------------------