Iszy has an icky butt!

[Lissa]

I think Iszy has stopped cleaningherself. Is this something I should be concernedabout? The smell coming from her is very strong.I'm not sure how to describe it. It's not a normalsmell. Do you think it could be an infection? Isthere any way to tell without going to the vet?

 

[KatyG]

If she has stopped cleaning herself this wouldusually indicate a problem. The first thing to check is thatshe is perfectly mobile and isn't having any trouble moving her backlegs or getting down there. If she has lost mobility then sheneeds to go to the vet. But that is the worst case scenario so don'tfreak out.

If that seems ok maybe she has diarrhoea and just can't clean it upproperly. Have you noticed any runny poops? Is sheacting herself or does she seem quiet? How is she eating anddrinking? The horrible smell makes me think it could bediarrhoea.

I had a netherland dwarf who got gastroenteritis and we had to wash himdown there because he couldn't clean it all up himself.

If she doesn't seem ill in any other way then keep a close eye on herbut if she also seems off colour she might need to go to thevet. It is best to trust your instincts you usuallyknow when your animal is not right.

I hope she is ok. Keep us updated and try not to worry too much

Katy x

 

[KatyG]

Also what weight is she just now?Please don't take offence I am not trying to say she looks like she isoverweight or anything I am just asking to rule it out as if animalsget excess weight it can stop them from being able to reach round thereto clean. I know of several cats that this has happened to.

 

[Lissa]

Thanks Katy! Iszy is about 2.6 poundswhich is about average for a lionhead. I had her outside onSaturday and she seemed to be hopping around quite well. Itdid concern me when she laid down to rest. That seemed veryunlike her. Do you think I should be concerned aboutthat? What do you think could be happening to her?

 

[KatyG]

I'm not sure. When she was outsidemaybe she could have eaten something that upset her?sometimes if they have quite watery diarrhoea you don't find runnypoops, it just gets stuck round the fur. Just keepwatching her and make sure she is drinking and eating. If itis just a mild tummy upset you might find she is ok by tomorrow andcleans herself up. How long would you say she hasbeen like this?

 

[Lissa]

I just noticed the smell yesterday when I tookher outside. I'll check her out again when I gethome. If we need to take her to the vet we will.Thanks!

 

[bunnydude]

Does she normally go outside? Maybe that changein her routine upset her system. I'm sure whatever caused it can betaken care of quickly. I hope she gets well soon!

 

[Lissa]

She doesn't normally go outside, but she really likes it out there. She didn't seemed stressed at all.

 

[FlopsnWills]

messy bottoms are caused by too much protein inthe diet and access cecals producing. she's most likely getting toomany alfalfa pellets, how many does she get daily?

 

[Lissa]

She doesn't get any alfalfa.

 

[mskoala]

not to be stupid here, but what about those butt glands? Thos can smell skunky right?

 

[Lissa]

I'm not sure if it is her scentglands. I've smelled some bad things out of scent glands butthis doesn't smell like one of them.

 

[bunnydude]

Can you actually see feces or urine stuck to her rear? Or is it just the smell? Not sure if that makes any difference, though.

 

[lucylocket]

lucy last week had a dirty bumm so i took her tosee my vet she had said if it happenrd again to bring her straight downas with the weather getting hotter hear there might be some concern offly strike but lucey was fine she just got a shave on her bum

we noticed she has been getting soft poops so we have cut her veggiesdown quite alot but she gets no treats she wont eat them

varna xxxx

 

[Lissa]

I think Iszy is okay. Her butt lookeda lot better last night and she is eating, drinking and hopping aroundnormally.

 

[edwinf8936]

She might have nibbled on something that got her tummy a little funny then it passed.

Ed

 

[bunnydude]

That's good news

 

[KatyG]

Glad she is ok x

 

[Lissa]

Actually she's not okay. Her butt isback to being full of poop and pee. I called the vet and hetold me that I could either try to clean it up myself or have him doit. Does anyone know what the vet would do for her?Should we soak her butt in warm water? The vet's biggestconcern was that maggots would begin to form. Why isn't she cleaning herself?

 

[lucylocket]

hi lissa

we found that lucety had the same problem

and she wasnt cleaning herself neither

we took her to see the vet and all thet did was

she was put on her bk awake

and giving a shave to get the poop off

hope everything turns out ok

varna xxxx