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11-18-2006, 06:53 AM | #1 |
Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Indiana
Posts: 4,685
| Anal Gland Removal??? For the 2nd time in a little over a year, Joey's right anal gland burst. Again, he gave no signs whatsoever that his anal glands might be full. No scooting or excessive licking back there. He woke me up this morning pawing at my head and then scooted along the blanket. I check him and it had burst, absolutely no previous sign until this morning. I was able to get him into our Vet at 8:30 AM and the Dr. suggested removal if it happens again. He showed me pictures of the gland before and after a burst and said that the little canal may be too small for Joey to express his glands when he goes naturally. Here is some of the information he gave me: The anal sacs are connected to the anus by means of small canals, or ducts. Anal sacs produce and store a dark, foul-smelling fluid. These are the same types of organs that a skunk has to scare away its enemies. Although dogs can use these for the same purpose, most dogs live in an environment that has no enemies. The prevalece is higher in smaller breeds of dogs. There are 3 diseases that occur in the anal sacs: 1: The fluid becomes thick and solidified, the condition is called impaction. 2. When bacteria grow in this material producing a yellow or bloody pus, the condition is called infection. 3. When the infection builds to create a hot, tender swelling in the gland, the condition is called an abscess. When the abscessed material overflows the sac, the skin over the sac breaks open, and the pus drains onto the skin. Signs are: Scooting or dragging the anal area Excessive licking under the tail Pain, sometimes severe, near the tail or anus A swollen area on either side of the anus Bloody or sticky drainage on either side of the anus. A physical exam, including a rectal exam, will usually confirm the diagnosis. The Treatment for impaction is to express the sacs and clean out the solidified material. For infection, the sacs must be expressed and antibiotics administered to kill the bacteria. If the sacs abscess, the abscess must be surgically drained and antibiotics administered. Some dogs are born with anal canals that do not close well. These dogs are constantly draining anal sac fluid and leaving a foul-smelling drop wherever they have been. This is another indication for anal sac removal. There does not appear to be any other way to stop this, and these dogs usually do not outgrow this problem. If a dog has several episodes of anal sac disease, the anal sacs can be removed surgically. Because these sacs are virtually unused, there is no loss to the dog. It is the only way to permanently cure the problem. My Vet recommended we wait and see for right now. It's not an emergency of any type. He did say it is a very delicate surgery, because the Dr. must not cut into any of the muscle back there. Our Vet has done it many times and has a 100% success rate for this type of surgery. He gave me the names of "parents" so I can call and be reassured. Joey would also be "out" quite a bit longer than he was for teeth cleaning and removal, but the Dr. said he would be closely monitored if surgery becomes something needed done. At this point in time, I will wait and see if and when it happens again. I'm sorry this is so long, but I thought it might be helpful information for someone else.
__________________ Janet |
Welcome Guest! | |
11-18-2006, 06:59 AM | #2 |
I heart Hootie & Hobbs Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: USA
Posts: 7,149
| AWWWWWWWWWWWWW! Poor Joey!!!!!!! That is some GREAT information, Janet! Thank you so much for posting it. I know it really sux having to put these little ones through surgery, but I bet it would make Joey feel so much better. Please keep us updated on what you decide to do. |
11-18-2006, 07:20 AM | #3 |
YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Tucson, Arizona
Posts: 1,840
| Edie had an abcessed gland about 4-5 years ago. I noticed it because she was licking there all the time. It just looked like a red bump---When I found it it had not broken the skin YET. The vet lanced it and drained it (Edie was sedated) and she was put on antibiotics for 10 days. It has been over 4 years, and there was no recurrence. I am always on the lookout, however. Ask your vet about the food you are feeding your pup. You really want him to have hard stools, which helps the glands work better. If you are feeding canned food, this might help. |
11-18-2006, 07:23 AM | #4 | |
Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Indiana
Posts: 4,685
| Quote:
__________________ Janet | |
11-18-2006, 07:27 AM | #5 | |
Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Indiana
Posts: 4,685
| Quote:
Joey eats a good hard food, no soft at all. His stools are what I would call "excellent." The picture the Vet showed me has this little canal from the sac to the anus. He said sometimes on the smaller breeds that this canal just isn't big enough to let anything flow through and sometimes it stays closed. My Vet is great and I will be taking Joey back after it's all healed so he can be checked again. I am always so cautious with my babies, especially my little Joey. I'm afraid if something would ever happen to him, they'd have to put me away. I just wouldn't be able to bear it.
__________________ Janet | |
11-18-2006, 10:23 AM | #6 |
Donating YT 7000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Alabama, etc.
Posts: 9,031
| Poor little Joey ... hope he feels better soon! Thank you for posting the information about this condition. My friend is fostering a little female for a Rescue group that desperately needs her glands removed. Sadly, they won't approve the expense because they say it isn't necessary and this poor baby just has to suffer because they consider themselves more knowledgeable than a very good vet! Tell Joey he is a lucky Yorkie boy to have such a loving, caring Mom! Hugs & puppy kisses, Joey!!
__________________ Toto's Mom - http://www.dogster.com/?206581 Yorkie Rescue Colorado - http://www.yorkierescuecolorado.com/ "The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has limits." -- Albert Einstein |
11-19-2006, 03:43 AM | #7 |
YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: USA
Posts: 2,992
| I think that some dogs just have problems with their anal glands - and others have no problems at all. My daughter's dog - has had to go to the vet many times with severe anal gland problems - and they are ooooooh so painful and uncomfortable. He has done well for quite a long time now ---but if he has another bad episode, they are prepared to have surgery. I have had several dogs that never had their anal glands expressed by anyone their entire lives - and never had a problem. So - I guess we all just have to keep an eye on our individual little dogs and do whatever is necessary. Carol Jean |
11-19-2006, 06:29 AM | #8 | |
Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Indiana
Posts: 4,685
| Quote:
So true, at one time my mother and I both had a poodle. Mine needed to have his glands expressed at least once a month until he got to about 6 years old. Hers never did his whole life, they never ever burst though. My two girls are doing great, but little Joey is having the problem. I hate that he has to go through this. Sometimes, the Vet said they may have a problem a couple of times and then fine the rest of their lives. I'm waiting to see if it happens again to Joey and if it does, I'll have them removed. I'm not going to have him suffer this his whole life.
__________________ Janet | |
11-19-2006, 02:35 PM | #9 |
YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chattanooga, TN
Posts: 1,339
| Small dogs have a hard time expressing themselves. I do my guys' every week when they get their bath. The groomer I work with had the same problem as you. Her little girl poodle NEVER gave any sign and without thinking she just never did it. Then one afternoon she's drying her after a bath and there is an extra hole in her back end! Took her the vet...ruptured anal gland. Now she's smarter and does her poodle's every week too.
__________________ Liz Little Lotte , Bouncer, Lilli , Yodi |
11-21-2006, 03:58 PM | #10 |
Slave to My Rug-Rats Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Long Island
Posts: 7,247
| Oh Janet, I am just reading about this. Poor little Joey I will be praying that this doesn't happen again to him or any of your babies. I hope he is feeling better, now that some days have past? |
11-21-2006, 04:02 PM | #11 |
Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Indiana
Posts: 4,685
| Thanks Nicole. He is doing great. It's healed over and still has about 2 days left of antibiotics to take. The girls don't have this problem, but poor Joey. I will continue to check him and express them when necessary so hopefully it won't happen again.
__________________ Janet |
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