Scooting

Furballsmom

Cat Devotee
Staff Member
Forum Helper
Joined
Jan 9, 2018
Messages
39,271
Purraise
53,927
Location
Colorado US
Hi!
Would your vet (old or new one) consider consulting with a university medical veterinary department?
 

FeebysOwner

TCS Member
Staff Member
Forum Helper
Joined
Jun 13, 2018
Messages
22,441
Purraise
33,204
Location
Central FL (Born in OH)
I would re-test for giardia to begin with, but maybe you should ask the vet about a full fecal PCR test which looks for uncommon parasites, as well as various bacterial/viral conditions.

I don't know how rare it would be in cats, but there are conditions in humans whereby the 'output' product is irritating to the skin even though the 'input' product is not. It most likely has to do with certain digestive enzymes/secretions. So, I agree with the above about getting an outside opinion like a vet university - or, a vet that specializes in dermatology.

I would also check her behind frequently for 'left over' debris hanging on in that area, and perhaps clean her bottom daily with unscented hypoallergenic wipes. She has also had a bit of a history with anal glands problems, so wiping her behind daily might actually stimulate release of any fluid 'stuck' in those glands, should that be contributing to her issues.

Maybe there is something in this article that might 'ring a bell'?
Why Is My Cat Dragging Its Bum On The Floor? [Scooting in Cats] (seniorcatwellness.com)
 
Last edited:
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #4

Megan&Cleo

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Nov 20, 2021
Messages
16
Purraise
2
Hi!
Would your vet (old or new one) consider consulting with a university medical veterinary department?
I'm not sure! I'm open to going to a new vet though
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #5

Megan&Cleo

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Nov 20, 2021
Messages
16
Purraise
2
I would re-test for giardia to begin with, but maybe you should ask the vet about a full fecal PCR test which looks for uncommon parasites, as well as various bacterial/viral conditions.

I don't know how rare it would be in cats, but there are conditions in humans whereby the 'output' product is irritating to the skin even though the 'input' product is not. It most likely has to do with certain digestive enzymes/secretions. So, I agree with the above about getting an outside opinion like a vet university - or, a vet that specializes in dermatology.

I would also check her behind frequently for 'left over' debris hanging on in that area, and perhaps clean her bottom daily with unscented hypoallergenic wipes. She has also had a bit of a history with anal glands problems, so wiping her behind daily might actually stimulate release of any fluid 'stuck' in those glands, should that be contributing to her issues.

Maybe there is something in this article that might 'ring a bell'?
Why Is My Cat Dragging Its Bum On The Floor? [Scooting in Cats] (seniorcatwellness.com)
Thanks for the reply. Testing again makes sense. It's breaking my heart to think the parasite is back. It has been such a long ordeal getting her back to firm stools.

I'm open to working with other vets or schools but I'm not sure who to go to. I'm in the Bay area if anyone can suggest someone. I know UC Davis has a great vet program so if anyone has connections there, let me know.

I wonder if changing her diet to hypoallergenic would?

I can also start wiping her bottom more. I was doing this previously when her stools were soft so that it didn't track in the house and I never saw her scooting then... interesting actually when I think about it. Wiping daily plus soft stools == no scooting. Now that her stools are firm and I'm not wiping, the scooting has come back.

I told the vet about it and they just said:

" For the scooting, it's possible that she's not getting enough pressure on the anal glands to express them herself when she goes to the bathroom. You can try adding a tablespoon of pumpkin puree to the food to see if that will help. "

Do you all agree with this advice? I was honestly a bit taken aback by this simple advice since they know she has a history with giardia. I thought they would have proposed something different.

Thank you all.
 

FeebysOwner

TCS Member
Staff Member
Forum Helper
Joined
Jun 13, 2018
Messages
22,441
Purraise
33,204
Location
Central FL (Born in OH)
Thanks for the reply. Testing again makes sense...I'm open to working with other vets or schools but I'm not sure who to go to... I told the vet about it and they just said:" For the scooting, it's possible that she's not getting enough pressure on the anal glands to express them herself when she goes to the bathroom. You can try adding a tablespoon of pumpkin puree to the food to see if that will help. "
Re-test first. Ask your vet about a university contact and/or specialist - they generally have connections and can act as referrals, which most of the time is required/necessary. And, try wiping her behind again before adding pumpkin. Or, try the pumpkin and see if it helps any without 'over-firming' her stool. The pumpkin goal is to add fiber, and your case I am guessing the vet is thinking her stool could use to be firmer than it is now. That all depends on how firm you think it is at this time.

Not sure what to say about a food change to hypoallergenic. But whatever you do, don't test all of these potential 'corrective' actions at once, as you would have no idea what helped and what didn't.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #8

Megan&Cleo

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Nov 20, 2021
Messages
16
Purraise
2
Also, I asked my vet (a VCA) about the PCR fecal test and they said it would $412! This seems ridiculously high based on what I understand about the cost of PCR in human these days. Maybe I should make this another thread but how much should a PCR fecal test cost for a cat?
 

FeebysOwner

TCS Member
Staff Member
Forum Helper
Joined
Jun 13, 2018
Messages
22,441
Purraise
33,204
Location
Central FL (Born in OH)
Also, I asked my vet (a VCA) about the PCR fecal test and they said it would $412! This seems ridiculously high based on what I understand about the cost of PCR in human these days. Maybe I should make this another thread but how much should a PCR fecal test cost for a cat?
Find out what all your vet includes in a full fecal PCR test, and then start calling around to other vets/clinics. It is what the 'standard' is in your area that matters, as opposed to what members on this site (in many other locations) say they have paid. What the going rate is in your area is what counts for you to consider. Someone across the country from you may pay less, but that isn't going to help you any.
 

LTS3

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Aug 29, 2014
Messages
19,209
Purraise
19,695
Location
USA
I'm open to working with other vets or schools but I'm not sure who to go to. I'm in the Bay area if anyone can suggest someone. I know UC Davis has a great vet program so if anyone has connections there, let me know.

UC Davis has a small animal hospital that is open to all pet owners: Small Animal Clinic

Your vet can refer you there (or you can make an appointment on your own). Your vet can also call or to any other veterinary school and request a courtesy consult. Some vet hospitals also offer courtesy consults to vets. Here's one: Referral Services
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #11

Megan&Cleo

TCS Member
Thread starter
Kitten
Joined
Nov 20, 2021
Messages
16
Purraise
2
Update for those following.

Cleo is still scooting. We started prednisolone about 1 week ago in a small dose for anti-inflammatory effects and are trying venison d/d novel protein food. We tried purina HA but she wouldn't go for it :(

i'm also trying to change her to a paper litter but now I'm worried she might try eating it...

My vet said she's pretty stumped.

We did a blood test and everything came back normal.
 
Top