Kitty Anal Gland Surgery?

As Neko gets older, his anal glands abscess about every 6-8 months, then we have to take him in and have the vet clean out the area and give him antibiotics.

After tonight's episode I've noticed it's now even more uncomfortable for him. The screaming he does while the vet is cleaning out the abscess almost had me in tears.

I've switched vets recently to this group and I really like them (they saved Tama when he crashed!)

this is the first time that anyone has suggested anal gland removal surgery to me.

The benefit would be that the poor cat would not have to endure this painful process every few months....

But I'm terrified of the risks- one tiny screw up and Neko will be defecating everywhere, at which point I would either have to get diapers of something for him or put him to sleep because my mother will flip out if the cats mess her house (she's my landlord...)
Plus he has a heart murmur, so an echocardiogram would be in order.
Plus his age- he's almost 16

I'm having some health issues right now too, and I just don't know what to do for him!!

Michele, would you want to call in tomorrow, to the "Ask a Vet" program? I am sure Dr, Carol would have some good advice for you, let me know, I can PM you the phone number and everything ...

I wonder, are there no suggestions on what would help him and prevent the abcesses?

For example, with my dog, Tasha, her anal glands often get impacted, then she scoots, that causes irritation which leads to infection. Off we go to the vet, they manually express the gland and she gets antibiotics to clear up the infection. Sounds similar. Thing is, for Tasha, the vet said this means her stools are not large enough to express the glands automatically, naturally. So I have to bulk up her stools, but giving her 2 tablespoons of canned pumpkin with her food.

It isn't a matter of making the stools harder, or softer; they just need to be larger to press the glands. Think of it as a small marble passing through a 2 inch piece of PVC. Too small. A tennis ball would be about the right size though, to move and also press against the wall of the pipe.

I don't know enough about the cats to do other than raise this. Have they made any suggestions as to things you can try before surgery? Maybe ask the vet if you do that with Karen!