Male Cat Leaking Clear Odorless Fluid (What It Means)

Dr Daisy May, MRCVS BVSc, Vet Surgeon
Male Cat Leaking Clear Odorless Fluid

Leaking clear fluid from any of these areas can mean several different things, and of course, the first thing to consider is exactly where the fluid is coming from.

Generally speaking, there are five areas where male cats may leak clear, odorless fluid, the eyes, the nose, the mouth, the penis, and the anus. This article will look at these areas and discuss what fluid production may mean.

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Why Do Male Cats Leak Odorless Fluid From The Mouth

    In this case, the fluid is very likely to be saliva. The medical term for excessive drooling is ptyalism, which can occur in cats for various reasons; most frequently, the cause is dental disease, nausea, stress, travel sickness, or recently having recently licked or ingested a bitter or toxic substance.

    Sadly, mouth cancer in cats can also cause excessive drooling. Of course, most of the above require prompt veterinary intervention, so getting your kitty checked at the vet without delay is essential if he is experiencing ptyalism.

    If your cat is experiencing ptyalism frequently, looking for patterns such as strangers visiting the house or car journeys that may indicate a possible environmental cause (ie, stress or travel sickness in these cases) can also be helpful.

    Devon Rex Cats

    Why Does My Male Cat Leaking Odorless Fluid From The Eyes

    Does your boy have constantly watery eyes? Maybe this has always been the case, or perhaps it just developed recently. Leaking of a clear, odorless fluid from the eyes may be due to blocked tear ducts.

    A vet can perform a simple, painless test for blocked tear ducts using fluorescein dye (a type of harmless vegetable dye) which takes less than five minutes and can be carried out on a fully awake patient in the consulting room.

    Another possible cause is conjunctivitis, which can be bacterial, viral, or allergic. Infectious conjunctivitis (caused by microbes) requires a swab to diagnose. On the other hand, watery eyes due to allergic conjunctivitis frequently require no treatment so long as your cat is otherwise well and not experiencing any other symptoms.

    There is no definitive test for allergic conjunctivitis, so we tend to make this diagnosis based on having ruled out infectious conjunctivitis with a swab, coupled with compatible symptoms (eg, seasonally watery eyes, or eyes which are more “leaky” after the cat has been playing outside).

    Rarely, leaking clear odorless fluid from the eyes can happen due to anatomical problems in cats such as inwardly-rolling eyelids (a condition called entropion) or eyelashes growing abnormally and irritating the surface of the eye. Your vet will be able to diagnose these conditions upon examination and can suggest an appropriate surgical solution.

    Cat lying down
    Image: @tascha_aleks via Twenty20

    Male Cat Leaking Clear Fluid From The Nose (What It Means)

    If your kitty has developed a leaky nose, take note, first and foremost of what kind of discharge is being produced. A snotty, cloudy discharge is more likely to be associated with an infection such as cat flu.

    Usually, in this case, both nostrils will be affected, and your cat may sound ‘bunged up’ and congested with their breathing. Cat flu is more common in outdoor roaming cats not vaccinated annually.

    Clear, odorless fluid from both nostrils may be expected in some instances, especially if only being produced in scant quantities.

    If only one nostril is affected by this discharge, we must consider it possible that a small object such as a grass seed, may have been accidentally inhaled and become stuck up your cat’s nose. He will also sneeze frequently and should see a vet as soon as reasonably possible.

    Male Cat Leaking Odorless Fluid From The Penis (What It Means)

    The good news is that if your male cat is leaking small amounts or ‘spots’ of fluid from the penis which is colorless and does not have a smell, then this is most likely to be a normal penile discharge which is part of the body’s natural physiology. Most male cats will remove this discharge before you even see it by licking themselves to stay clean.

    Be aware though, that if larger, more noticeable amounts or puddles of fluid are being produced, then this could indicate cystitis (an inflamed bladder, often due to an abnormal stress response in feline patients – we call this “stress cystitis”), or, less commonly, a urinary tract infection (UTI).

    Typically if stress cystitis or a UTI is to blame, there will be other signs, including excessive licking of the genitals and discomfort evident when using the litter tray.

    Many male cats will yowl or pace when using the litter tray, and frequently visit the toilet. Some will also begin to urinate in unusual places around the home, outside of their habitual toilet location. In these instances, a veterinary visit is always warranted without any delay.

    Male Cat Leaking Clear Fluid From The Anus (What It Means)

    There are a couple of different possible causes for this. In my experience, the most common cause is leakage from the anal sacs.

    Your cat’s anal sacs are a twin pair of modified sebaceous (sweat) glands situated in the 4 o’clock and 8 o’clock positions just inside of the anus. If this fluid is clear and odorless and only produced occasionally or in scant amounts, then there is likely nothing to worry about.

    However, if the fluid is being produced constantly or sometimes has a foul odor, then it is sensible to book your boy in with his vet for a non-urgent routine consultation to get the issue checked out; it may be that one or both of the anal glands have become infected, for example.

    This visit will likely involve the vet performing a digital rectal exam of your cat using a gloved and lubricated finger.

    It is a good idea to request a gentle oral sedative (calming agent) such as gabapentin from your vet, which you can give to your cat at home an hour or so before the appointment, thus making the visit a far less unpleasant experience for your pet.

    Conclusion

    Clear, odorless, and usually quite sticky or thick fluid from the anus can also be a sign of colitis (an inflamed colon), especially if your cat is also passing through diarrhea.

    Whatever the case, it is sometimes best to take your cat to your vet immediately especially if the discharge is more than normal, so an examination can be done of your furry friend.



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