Dribbly bum

Question
Hi,
Bit of background info before I get to my main concerns;
My cat Monty is 17 years old. He is being treated for hyperthyroid issues for over a year. We have had a lot of issues getting the right dosage of pills- they seem to keep the levels down for a few months then the bloods would show it had shot up again. He has lost a lot of weight over the year because of it however although he hasn't put much back on, there hasn't been any drastic weight loss since being on meds. He is an outdoor cat and has been his whole life so had to rule out trying the thyroid food as that would mean he would have to become an indoor cat and he would hate that.

Now to my main concern. Recently we have noticed he has been leaving 'drips' of poo around the house. This seems to happen when he is sleeping. We took him to the vet, who said he had lost a bit more weight and looks like he has deteriorated since his last visit. She checked his anal glands and did a rectal exam- can't feel anything abnormal however he was very sore and there was a bit of poo inside that was very loose. Temperature was fine. She told us that he is not looking as good as he had in the past, his breathing was also laboured, indicating the beginnings of heart failure. She did say that it could be getting to the point where his quality of life may not be as good as it should be. She gave us 5 days worth of antibiotics to see if it helps with his dribbly bum problem.

In the days he has had the meds, the spots of poo had gone, so we got another 5 days worth of antibiotics to cover him until after Christmas. He is about half way through this course. I have noticed that since his dribbly bum problems began, his anus is very swollen and there is often a bit of soft poo on the outside. I have cleaned this with a damp warm cloth, but since the abs I haven't noticed any, however his bum is still swollen. It's not red, I can't see any sign of a prolapse (as in bright red skin). As I said before he is an outdoor cat so its hard to catch him in the act of pooing to check his stools. I'm hoping because the drips have stopped, that there may have been an infection which the antibiotics are helping to clear. I'm just concerened that his bum is still swollen. I haven't seen him washing down there recently either.

I guess I am just asking for any ideas as to what it COULD be. He will be going back to the vets at the beginning of the new year, after this final course of antibiotics is done with, just want as many ideas/theories as possible to throw at them.

I know that it may be a case of him getting old, his body not working and shutting down, and that if he gets worse or is not comfortable or happy anymore that we will have to say goodbye, just want to do everything I can for my old boy.

Sorry it's a long winded message, thanks in advance for taking the time to read it :)

Answer
Well five days, even 7 or 8 days might not be enough for the swelling to go down. Plus he might still have some infection left that hasn't cleared yet entirely.

I cannot say for sure either way. These are just suggestions. Since you are right on top of things I would just continue with the protocol the vet gave you and have him seen once more.

To be honest 17 year old cats with hyperthyroidism don't generally do well for too long. It's hard on their heart, as you might have guessed, and it's a hard disease to treat.

I can tell that you are a very conscientious owner and you will know when his quality of life has gone from more bad days to good ones. And often, they will let you know when it's time.

It's never easy, and I pray that these medications might help you have some extra time with him.

For now I wouldn't fret over the swelling especially since he isn't bleeding or seeming to lose stool any longer.