cat abcess

Question
Hi Jennifer, my 17 year old female cat had surgery to open an abcess (how she got it we don't know)on Wednesday evening. The abcess was next to her bum whole on the left side.  She is a house cat and there are no other animals in the house.  Anyway she took some time to act normal after the surgery, but that part seems better now.  She is on an antibotic.  My concern is she is not eating well, but drinking okay and her sand box shows some urine but no #2 yet.  She doesn't eat people food, never liked it.  But is there something I can give her like people take such as prune juice to help her go?  Any ideas?  It she isn't better by Monday I will call the vet, but is there something I can do to help in the meantime?  Thank you for your help, Laurie

Answer
She most likely had an anal gland abscess, which can happen in cats or dogs if the opening to the gland gets clogged.

If she isn't eating a lot, then she won't have much stool either.  Try offerring her MEAT baby food or cooked chicken breast.  Also, try heating up some canned fishy cat food such as fancy feast or pro-plan that has chunks of fish in it.  If she is trying to defecate but nothing is coming out, then you can give her ONE 5 mg Dulcolax stool softener today.