Cat suddenly grooming bum and acting wild

[Notsogoodhousekeeping]

My cat is 11 this year and is generally pretty chilled, if timid (doesn’t like visitors for instance). She’s been out in the front garden twice tonight and since coming back in the second time she’s been licking her backside and paws frantically, occasionally stopping to stare at things I can’t see with big eyes.

She was on my lap but couldn’t settle so moved onto the other bit of the sofa to lick some more. She now seems to be a bit more settled and has laid down for a snooze. Breathing seems OK, ears are cool, she’s been for a poo since coming back in (all normal). She’s eating fine, haven’t seen her drink this evening but that’s normal, she usually has a drink just before we go up to bed.

I didn’t hear any fighting so I wondered if she’s maybe been spooked by something, or brushed past/weed on a plant that’s irritated her (there are lots of nettles nearby). My vet opens at 8am so if she’s still unsettled tomorrow I’ll take her in, but any ideas what might be up with her? As luck would have it, I’m going away this weekend so might just take her in anyway so they can check her over before friends come to cat sit.

Is she up to date with worming medicine?

No she’s not, because vet advised trying to use it less often due to environmental impact on pollinators (suggested bimonthly which would be this week funnily enough). She only ever goes out for a few minutes and doesn’t catch anything, but even so. I’ll do the pipette in the morning. She’s snoring away on the sofa now, seems much more settled.

Sounds like worms.

I’ve just done the Stronghold and she’s promptly gone outside in a fit of pique (she hates having it done).

No other symptoms apart from the bum licking and crazy eyes. No diarrhoea, no bloating, nothing weird in her poo. Appetite normal.

She just sounds spooked by something, I wouldn’t be taking her to the vets:

She’s been fine overnight, slept next to me as usual and currently getting tummy rubs. I am at home today so will keep an eye on her but she seems fine.

Full anal glands were the issue, possibly caused by a change in recipe of her usual Felix. Anyway, vet couldn’t find anything else wrong, although he did say she was a bit too fat to really feel anything (and I thought she’d lost weight, but no). So, let the summer diet commence.

HI OP, can I ask did your vet express the glands or give any other sort of treatment?

I'm fairly sure Rex the TempCat gets similar problems from time to time, certainly the licking and he can get very pongy at times, as close to a skunk as I imagine they smell! Haven't asked the vet yet as it is fairly infrequent but interested to know what your vet said.

He gave them a good squeeze and yes it was quite stinky! Apparently if their poos are small then they don’t clear the glands out as they poo. She is still licking her bum today so I’m not convinced that’s the problem; I wonder if she’s got some sort of UTI. Back to the vet if she’s still not right in a couple of days. Eating fine though.

Thought you might be interested in an update. She had/has lost her appetite although is still drinking regularly. She hasn’t used the litter tray in a week, possibly longer, but she goes outside so I have no idea if she’s been toileting outside.

Took her to the vet on Tues who couldn’t find anything wrong, said she was well hydrated although she had lost weight, around 30g. He prescribed antibiotics which I have mostly managed to get down her with the help of some unsalted butter, and told me to bring her in again yesterday for bloods, with a view to doing a scan if they came back normal (ie no obvious cause).

Got results back this morning and absolutely nothing wrong. Vet nurse said vet will ring on Monday. Apart from not eating much at all, cat is otherwise absolutely fine, normal activity levels, normal behaviour etc. Except she’s actually eaten a few things this afternoon/evening! Perhaps we’re coming out the other side. Fingers crossed, and I’ll see what the vet says.

What did the vet say?

Thanks for asking - they didn’t ring me in the end, but NotsoCat started eating again on Friday, still not her usual levels but she’s asking for food and we’ve had both wees and a (slightly runny) poo in the tray as well, so things seem to be heading in the right direction.