Anal sac ruptures

Question
I have a 13 yr old cat in in the past 2 1/2yrs he has had 3 anal sac ruptures.First time it was on right side then yr later on left side then 9 months later on right side again.
My doctor is puzzled as why this is always happening.
He pops solid drinks water and eats wet and dry food.
He weighs 12lbs.Never been outside either.
Do you know of any reason why this could keep happening.
I don't really want surgery to remove the anal sacs since it
is a serous operation and he is so little.
Thanks

Answer
I'm just as puzzled as your vet is. I really don't know what could be the cause unless it's diet related. A lot if anal-sac issues can be alleviated with a higher fiber diet.The higher fiber helps push out the anal gland contents allowing a more complete emptying of the sacs.

I'm with you on the surgery. It's not only serious but it's hard to find a vet that does it correctly. The surgery very commonly results in fecal incontinence.

Is it possible to sedate him and have them flushed out? Could possibly be a foreign body in there causing issues too. We have pulled old foxtails out of them, maggots and all kinds of hair.

The Merck Veterinary Manual states that these kinds of ruptures need to be flushed out and cleaned with antibiotics and a steroid flushed into the sacs. It also states that a higher fiber diet helps with a more complete emptying of the sacs.

http://www.merckmanuals.com/vet/digestive_system/diseases_of_the_rectum_and_anus


Just something to run by your vet. Otherwise you might want to get him on a higher fiber diet such as W/D by Hills which is a prescription diet. It comes in canned and dry.