Our little felines are specialists in hiding what is happening to them from us, which is why many times the chronic diseases they are suffering from become evident when they are too advanced. However, this does not happen in all cases, since there are things that they cannot hide, and among these things is pain, discomfort or anal itching. In these cases, cats tend to drag their anus along the ground as a result of the irritative symptoms of the process. The behavior of dragging the anus and tail along the ground is called "scooting" and is usually caused by five main causes: parasites, itching and itching, allergy, tumors and anal gland problems, so these cats will need veterinary care.
Continue reading this article on our site where we explain why your cat drags his anus and what is the solution depending on the cause.
Intestinal parasites
Internal intestinal parasites, especially common in kittens, can be the cause of your cat dragging its anus on the ground. These organisms can be from the group of roundworms (hookworms, ascarids), flatworms (tapeworms) or protozoa (toxoplasma, giardia, coccidia). Of all of them, the one related to anal itching in cats is the flat parasite or tapeworm Dipylidium caninum due to its life cycle.
Cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis felis) are the ones that carry the Dipylidium caninum parasite, so that it is transmitted to the cat by ingesting the fleas during grooming. These fleas, when they reach the stomach acids, release the parasite larvae, which will pass to the intestine and settle. There, they will develop into an adult state and reproduce. As a result of reproduction, females produce parasitic eggs in the last rings of their body, which will be eliminated in the faeces It is precisely these gravid rings thatthey cause itching by moving around the anus when they are going to be expelled.
Treatment
The only way to prevent and treat this double infestation is by using internal dewormers (anthelmintics)and external (for fleas) specially designed for cats, which you can find at your nearest veterinary center. Thanks to this product you will prevent these parasites from continuing to damage the feline's intestine, as well as the irritation, nervousness and itching that it produces when they are going to be expelled.
Pruritus
If your cat feels burning or itching (pruritus) in the area around the anus, he will tend to drag it to relieve himself. It is also common to try to bite or lick the area excessively. In the case of cats, this may correspond to a vulvar or vaginal infection or inflammation, so we must observe if the area is reddened or has any type of discharge indicative of such a process. Cats with infections in these areas may also have a fever, especially if the uterus has been infected (pyometra), along with signs such as polyuria-polydipsia, depression, and loss of appetite.
Treatment
To treat these infections you should go to a veterinary center to proceed with the antibiotic treatmentnecessary. In some cases hospitalization, surgery or sterilization will be necessary.
Allergic dermatitis
Allergy in cats can also cause dermatological problems that lead to cats scratching, feeling irritated and dragging their anus, in addition to other clinical signs. The allergy that can cause your cat to drag its anus on the floor can be due to the following types of allergens:
- Environmental allergens: weeds, fungal spores, dust or pollen can cause skin irritation and itchiness in the area.
- Food allergens: especially common in young cats, it arises as a result of hypersensitivity to some type or types of protein, such as chicken or turkey. In addition to digestive signs such as diarrhea or vomiting, it can cause dermatological signs such as itching and redness in the perianal area.
- Parasitic allergens: cats are sensitive to flea bites because their saliva can produce a hypersensitivity reaction. Among the usual symptoms is perianal itching, causing cats to drag the posterior third.
Treatment
The solution to these processes involves deworming, frequent cleaning and disinfection of the home, as well as the establishment of a diet of elimination with novel or hydrolyzed protein to avoid the protein source that causes the allergy.
Anal gland plugging
The feline anal glands are located on both sides of the anus and their function is to help in the deposition of feces by storing a yellowish-brown lubricating substance. Usually, this secretion is emptied during defecation, but sometimes it can become trapped, which causes a lot of pain and discomfort in affected cats, causing them to drag their anus on the floor.
Treatment
The glands must be emptied as soon as the blockage is detected, as they predispose them to infection, inflammation, discomfort, cysts, bad smell and even tumors. At this point, it is best to go to the veterinary clinic so that they can empty the glands and explain how to empty them correctly and how often. Likewise, in this other article we explain the process: "How to empty the anal glands in cats?".
Perianal tumor
Finally, cats, although much less frequently than dogs, can present tumors in the vicinity of the anus. These tumors can be perianal adenoma (benign) and adenocarcinoma of the anal sacs (evil one). In the latter, an increase in blood calcium can be detected in affected cats. Cats with this type of tumor, in addition to dragging the anus due to the discomfort and pain caused by the lump, may present clinical signs such as licking of the area, ulceration, bleeding, anorexia, infections, fever, loss of appetite, constipation and difficulty or pain on defecation.
Treatment
The solution in these cases is to go to the veterinary center to receive a surgical treatment of the tumor. In some cases it will also be necessary to use chemotherapy and radiotherapy In perianal adenomas, sterilization may reduce the risk of future tumor recurrence.
