Cat suddenly stinks. What could be the cause?

[notquitehuman]

I noticed a horrible smell around my cat yesterday, and thinking she'd farted I ordered her out in the garden. However, I've noticed today that she still absolutely reeks and I'm concerned something might be up. It's a sort of dirty bin/fishy/rotting smell that's hard to describe. Even when she leaves the room I can smell it. It's certainly dampening the festive spirit!

I read that it could be anal glands or dental problems. Do either of these things need an emergency vet visit? I think our local vet will be shut for the next four days so I don't want her suffering in the meantime.

[Vinorosso74]

No advice really but you might get more response in "The Litter Tray".
It's definitely not something in her fur is it? I would think most vets will be open tomorrow (maybe shorter days) so if you're concerned I would call first thing.

[gamerchick]

She needs the vet. Would she let you give her a careful going over in case she has an injury that's gone bad? Or rolling/eating something nasty?

[rollonthesummer]

My cat stank recently-I thought she'd been eating poo! It turns out there had been an injury on her head which had got infected and the pus stank...really badly. We cleaned it up and all was fine-no antibiotics needed.

[easterlywinds]

Have you checked her over? Could it be an abscess or infected wound? If so, she may need treatment at the vets.

[Bimblepops]

An access was my first thought...time for a trip to the vet, I think.

[notquitehuman]

Thank you for the advice. I've looked her over as much as possible and can't seem to find anything nasty like wounds or abscesses. She's not the cuddliest of cats so it's hard to get close! She doesn't seem to be in any pain or have trouble eating, the only sign that something is up is this gross smell!

I'll call the vet in the morning then and see if they'll be able to fit her in. This is the same cat who needed emergency treatment on boxing day a couple of years ago so it's tradition.

[NathalieM]

Maybe she was rolling around in poop? I know cats do this to mask their scent...or maybe that's just dogs?

[Tate15]

Kidney disease may cause the cat to smell badly.

Please go to the vets asap.