anal/vulva infection

Question
I have a cat who has the above problem. She was fixed so she will not have anymore babies about 2 years ago and since then has put on a lot of weight hence the infection from weight and not moving around very much.Ihave had her treated by a vet twice and they looked and gave her an antibiotic both times and that worked for the time she was taking it and shortly after that the infection was back. There was also an annul gland problem but I believe that is ok and the infection has taken it's place. She stinks a lot,licks a lot and all of her business does not make it to the litter box so every day I need to clean it up. I was thinking to clean it I could use witch hazel and for the infection try to introduce garlic into her food that may help the infection from the inside. What I need to know from you is would that take care of the problem or do I need a stronger antibiotic from the doctor? I have her biological sister and mother here also and I really don't think garlic would hurt them either. They have all been fixed but the cat in question right now is the biggest.However her mother has diabetes. I really would appreciate your opinion as the vet does not seem to be helping at all and the 2 visits cost me about 500.00 that I really could not afford. Thank you Carolyn Greene

Answer
Hi Carolyn,

Thank you for writing! Yes, vet bills are outrageous and some vets are terrible at their practice. I am not really clear what is going on. A kitty should not have an infection due to weight gain. Firstly, i would find a new vet that helps you.
Does she have a bladder infection?
Did she have an infected anal gland that was resolved and now you are seeing other symptoms?
Was the infected anal gland an abscess from a cat swipe or fight?
You mentioned her vulva is infected, i would need more information for this.
If she is lethargic that generally means a fever which you don't want to get above 105 and her body is trying to fight off the infection.
What exactly was the vet's diagnosis and what tests did he run exactly?
If this is a recurring bladder infection, then we would need to get her off commercial pet food and no dry food whatsoever.
Consult Dr Pitcairns Natural Health for Dogs and Cats for more tips,
Before i could recommend anything i would need to know exactly what is going on with her and the diagnosis.
Did she have both an anal gland abscess and a swollen vulva? Or anal gland abscess  and UTI?
Does she go outside? Could there be a foxtail that burrowed into her skin? Because until it is removed the infection will keep coming back. Could there be a foreign body stuck there? That would have to be removed as well.
If her vulva is sore calendula gel is acceptable,but this will not get rid of infection.
Due to her mother having diabetes, and i am assuming it is diabetes mellitus and not diabiets insipidus which is absolutely diet related then perhaps your other kitty is suffering symptoms from a diet that isnt good for them.
Commercial diets have a bad alkaline/acid balance and cause repeated bladder problems.
She is licking because it is obviously sore and painful, but I am not clear what exactly is happening.
Find out from vet what tests s/he ran and what the diagnosis was. Does she have bladder stones?
Is she missing the box with feces and urination or just urination?

I like cooked balanced feline diet, this includes things like organic chicken,bone meal tablets, taurine, sardines, brown rice or millet, tofu, and a proper vitamin/mineral balance. For some cats i like balanced raw  dietlike Primal diet. For bladder stones, the recipes would be tweaked.And a different magnesium/phosphorous balance would be required.
If you are unable to do this, decent canned foods are Wellness, Avoderm, Holistic Select, Eagle Pack, Instinct, Wysong and Prairie. However, we first need to resolve the pain, infection and fever but before i direct you with any suggestions i would really need more info.
If it is indeed bladder infection, natural diet and 250 mg of cranberry extract daily. Other treatments include CoQ10, omega 3's antioxidants, echinacea and goldenseal(in moderation, and only to treat not long term).
If it is a foreign body such as a foxtail that would need to be surgically removed.
Perhaps, shop around for a good holistic vet? I do not want her fever to get higher. and a cat that is just "lying around and not moving much" usually has a temperature. Temperatures are dangerous when they reach a certain degree.
I am sorry i wasn't able to offer more specific advice but i am not sure exactly what we are treating.
Best of luck to resolving this!
Shanti