He is long haired and it is stuck all around his bum. It's an awful state and he stinks to high heaven. He's usually a very affectionate, wont leave you alone, type of cat but he's hiding under my bed and is so miserable He's eating fine which is a good thing.

I am trying to call the vet but it's engaged. I'm going to take him in but shoud I try bathing him first? I'm worried i'm going to make the situation worse but can I take him in the state he's in? Will they bath him? He hates being bathed and I haven't bothered with bathing since the first time I did.

I have no idea how i'm going to find someone willing to drive my stinky boy there.

No, do not bath him first. He will be stressed enough going to the vet.

Thanks for your reply, he's been to the vets and all sorted now. I didn't bath him before hand. I can't believe I even considered it.

Poor sod now has a really sore bottom and keeps licking it. Maybe just a cat clean to sort out the vets clean but i'll keep an eye on how much he's doing it as I can't imagine that's a good thing.

He's definitely a lot happier

It's best just to let him sort it, he will lick it repeatedly for a while try not to worry.

I had a semi long hair cat that couldn't clean herself properly so had to clean it myself every so often, she would lick excessively for a couple of days after. Then she would be fine until the next time she needed cleaning.

A change of diet did help prolong the time between washes.

Maybe try and trim the fur around his bum a little bit so less chance of it all getting stuck in it(I know that's probably easier said than done!)

poor cat