newbie ?'s re Anal Glands, please

[wvhollardawgs]

Hi,

I am new to forum today, still looking around and getting acquainted with the digs.

I have a concern about my boy ShoutAnthony...he is aprox 5ish, is black lab and some type of hound mix ( coon, walker or plott?) and has been with me 1.5 yrs now- rescued from neglectful neighbor.

About 3 months ago his anal sac/gland burst with infection.

Looking back, of course, I see all the signs leading up to the trouble and now we get the stink buttons sqeezed at vet every so often. She advised 4-6 weeks...last time we went 6 weeks, this time they are already bothering him again only 3ish weeks later?

Wondering why he never needed the glands cleaned before and now suddenly the rupture and then need cleaned often...

Also, anyone clean their pups at home on their own? Vet showed us how and I already do many medical things ( diabetic cat and several on subQ's, etc) so not unable, just afraid, sort of. Don't want to hurt him.

Can anyone point me in the direction of research or info to maybe help me figure out why he has gland issues suddenly ( diet, exercise, breed) and if there is anything I can do to help him not have gland issues?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Barb04]

I found this info for you:

Tips To Keep Prevent Anal Gland Problems:

* Keep your dog at a healthy weight. Obesity increases the likelihood of anal sac problems.
* Feed a high quality food that contains a named meat as its first ingredient. Add carrots, bananas, pears, squash, peas, bran and olive oil to your dog's rations. These foods will provide bulk and improve
* your dog's overall digestive health.
* Regular, vigorous exercise will stimulate the gastrointestinal tract.
* Dog digestive problems such as diarrhea and constipation are often improved by the addition of a probiotic supplement. These supplements will increase the beneficial bacteria naturally present in your dog's gut.

 

[Brattina88]

To add to what Barb posted , you could also try canned pumpkin, not the pie stuff with added sugars and such, the real, plain canned pumpkin to shoot for normal, consistant stools.

 

[Doberluv]

Those are all good ideas. I have had to clear them myself. The vet also showed me how. I used surgical gloves, some K-Y jelly and paper towel. Treats while you do this help. It's gross, but just sort of gradually swirl your index finger around the outside, then go in slowly...just a little ways. You'll feel on either side of the anus little bumps. Those are the glands. Massage them in a circular motion with a fair amount of pressure and the stuff will come out on your paper towel. If this makes your dog nervous, have someone help feed treats the whole time. Try not to make it out to be a big deal and don't let on that you're nervous. lol. Once you're in there and the dog relaxes, he may not mind at all. My Doberman needed this to be done once in a while and he was a bit nervous, but trusting just the same. He soon became fine with it. He got plenty of exercise and ate a good diet, but he still got plugged up from time to time.

That must have been scary when they got so infected. How awful. Good luck.

 

[Ratboy]

I think some dogs just have issues with them due to genetics. Some dogs just seem to develop issues with them.

I've had two dogs with major problems with their anal glands. My Beagle/Lab Blackie had chronic problems with them for years. I tried all of the above, and nothing really helped them much. The vet finally began using a ball tipped syringe to inject antibiotics directly into the canal, and they cleared up. It took about 4 years.

King only had problems with the left one, it constantly would have to be expressed and would become infected if it wasn't done constantly, like about every three days! He didn't like me doing it, so I took him to the vet's to have it done. It got very expensive, very fast. The the right one never had a problem, and almost never had anything in it. Until he developed Cushing's disease last year, it was really his only health issue, period, except for a couple of ear infections. After it went on for a long time, I went ahead and had it removed, and he has had no problems since.

My old Lab Joe, who had health issues his entire life, never had a problem with his anal sacs. In fact, he only needed them expressed about a half dozen times in his entire life. It was about the only thing he didn't have any problem with.

 

[wvhollardawgs]

Thank you so much for your replies!

My boy is in great shape as far as weight and diet- he gets ample fiber and has really good poo's 90% of the time....once in a while I see a loose one, but for the most part is good.

No change in diet- though I did start adding water to his meal (both dogs) for long term kindney/bladder health. That's been at least 6 months or more, though.

Anywho- we went to vet to clean them yesterday, but this time I asked her if she would school me through doing it in front of her. She did and started by having me feel the glands from the outside.

Apparently I'd been too low at home, they are much higher than I thought.

Then she had me "milk" from the outside and by gummies! Out came 2 little dots of ick! I was so suprised I'd done it! Yipee!

I had her finish them off and lots of extra came out- squirted across the room as a matter of fact- ew! ( my boys can't do anything small. LOL! )

For now I am going to try cleaning at home every other week and see if we can handle it. If not, back to the vet once a month.

Vet did mention surgicaly removing them...I'll have to research and ask questions before comitting to that, though.

Also, it seems to me that the glands are indicating something is out of balance in his body, so I am thinking maybe to trace down the origin of problem before a surgical procedure.

Thanks again- and great links and info! VERY much appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[Jynx]

having been there done that with two dogs with anal gland infections this is what I've come to realize.. When you start having to mess with dogs anal glands,you will always have to do so especially if they have infections/burst. Anal gland infections can result in perianal fistula's (been there twice),,

The easiest remedy and most convenient, and healthy thing for the dog to do, is to have them removed by an EXPERIENCED surgeon.

You certainly do not want anal gland problems to result in fistula's which is a whole nother can of worms and can be very hard to deal with.

 

[wvhollardawgs]

hmmm...interesting info, Jynx, and thank you for your response.

Yes, it was really scary when they burst form the infection the first time...Shout was clearly in pain, but I didn't know why, and then saw blood coming out of his bottom...I was truely panicked.

I did not really give the vet a choice to see him or not, I called on the way there and said I would be there when they opened the doors and hung up! LOL!

One look and the vet knew immediately...said it was a common problem and not to panic ( hah!) and loaded us up with internal and external antibiotic, fungal cremes and numbing creme ( at my request) as well as some pain meds until the inflammation subsided.

Got to know the business end of my dog pretty good the 2 weeks following!

Anyway, I have been referred back to our old vet for the surgery as new vet says there is too much room for liability issues...I dislike our old vets office b/c they are old school on many treatments, don't tolerate research/questions and won't entertain alternate requests or stray form their "book"....not to mention thay almost killed my old dog jack leaving gauze inside him after a surgery and then OD'd my diabetic cat and told me hometesting was torture and species appropriate meat for my carnivorious cats was spoiling them. :yikes:

Anywho- apparently the old guy there is aces for this surgery...before doing that, though, I can't help but wonder if the sudden anal issues is an indicator of another health problem or imbalance?

Thanks for your replies!