Please help me understand what I did wrong?
 

Yesterday while getting ready for work, Kodak wasn't up and ready to go out as usual. He was sulking around and when I called him to go out he hesistated. Once he finished outside, I noticed he kept trying to lick/scratch his rear end. When we came back in, I picked him up and noticed a round pink patch. Now, last year he was scooting his butt on the floor which created a similiar pink patch. I took him to the vet and they told me his glands needed squeezing. I read about this in my yorkie book, and it suggested the groomer squeeze them before cleaning him. My groomer told me that she doesn't do that because she feels it is not needed. :confused: So on her advice, I never got it done, but once the vet explained it to me, I understood a little better. That healed and now this time it is a large patch almost like a ringworm.
I had my daughter take him to the vet as I had to go to work. She called me and said they gave him a antibiotic shot and to give him a 1/2 tablet of Lincocin(?) 2x's a day. The also said to press a warm compress daily. The vet said if it didn't clear up in a week, he may have a gland infection and surgery may be needed. I tear up when I look at him, because he just lays down and looks so sad. What did I do wrong to create this, and what do you all suggest so it won't happen again. He eats Royal Canin, he won't eat any soft food, and he has treats. Is this something he's eating, please help me understand more. I am on my way to speak to the vet as I am off today. I will be back to check your replies later. Thanks for any advice.

I am so sorry he is not feeling well. I don't think you did anything wrong some dogs just nee there glands done and others don't I hope he is feeling better soon.:(

I'm so sorry to hear that your baby isn't feeling well. I sure do hope he gets well soon! Another YT member was talking the other day about anal gland problems her yorkie was having. Look at this thread:

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sho...highlight=Joey

Hope it is helpful! You can PM the person who started the thread and ask her more questions if you have any that you think she may be able to answer. Please let us know what the vet says when you get back!

This happened with my mom's maltese. SHe had a huge hard knot. My mom had me take her to do the care on her since she worked such long days. I put warm compresses on several times a day and that made it fester up. It looked like a huge pimple (YUCK sorry) and then it popped, drained a bit and healed up. It took about 3 days for it to fester up and then about two weeks before the bump was all gone. I'm sorry this happened but you are not a bad mommy. Small breed dogs can have problems cleaning out their anal glands on their own.

While your groomer was partially right, (usually dogs can empty their anal glands on their own mainly while going number two) some smaller dogs have more trouble with this especially if they have softer stool and do require help expressing their anal glands. When the glands arent expressed they can become compacted and infection can occur. My groomer always checks Pete's anal glands when we take him in, their's also alot of info on the web about how to do it yourself. I hope your baby feels better soon:)

I feel so sorry for your baby, It seems like your dog is going to have to have his glands checked more often and you might ask the vet to teach you how to empty them yourself. Your groomer should have done this for you but this is something you can take responsibility for and do yourself. Some dogs need this done every week and some never need it done, but now you know your dog has a problem with its glands, so it is up to you to make sure you keep an eye on them. If it gets to be to much there is a surgery the vets can do to take them out , but I can tell you the vets hate to do this surgery. I am not sure why, but I will ask the next time I talk to my vet. I am thinking the space and the place makes this a difficult operation.

I have found this only gets worse with age, so I suggest you learn how to empty the glands yourself, it is not hard at all.

Owner
Best Friends Pet Salon
Salem Oregon

You did absolutely nothing wrong! Some dogs are just prone to this.

Knowing now that your pup has problems with this, you can do a couple of things in the future - 1) ask your vet if you should bring Kodak in regularly to have his glands checked. If so, how often? 2) as soon as you see Kodak scooting or excessively licking his rearend, you can take him to the vet.

I expect your groomer doesn't think it's necessary because she dislikes doing it (the smell is pretty awful).

Please check out my previous thread:

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sho...highlight=Joey
like RCL suggested. My Vet gave me some great information. You are lucky that he gives you a sign, scooting, noticeable. I didn't have any signs at all and I always check Joey since the very first time it burst. IF you should have to have them removed, be sure your Vet is experienced in this type of surgery. They have to be very careful not to get into the muscle, or there can be serious problems when they have to "go." The muscles are what helps push it out and you don't want them damaged.

Thank you for the replies, everyone on this site is so helpful and it's comforting gaining so much information. I went in and read yorkie3's thread and it was very informative with a lot of the same things the vet told me this morning. I wish your lil Joey well after surgery. Kodak goes back in a week to see if the spot softens and there's no serious infection. They told me to keep giving him the tablets until gone. He keeps chewing this tiny pill, then when I think he's swallowed it, it's hanging off the hair on his mouth. I had to literally stick it in his mouth so it would go down with him spitting it out:( He didn't fight me, but it was hard to open his mouth. I don't want him to think I am trying to hurt him.

Any suggestions on how to get him to take this pill? And he keeps licking the bald spot where they gave him the shot. Can I cover that with something or just leave it?

When I give a ill to mine I wrap it up in american cheese and they always take it

we do this too

yep us too works lke a charm :)

Hmm, cheese you say?
 

Ok, the american cheese is something I can handle, but now my mother is saying that's a dairy product. She says dogs can't have milk, cheese or eggs. I am still going to try the cheese and not tell her. I will take a tiny piece and stick the pill on it. Thanks for the tip.

They can definately have a little cheese and eggs. I wouldn't give milk though.

That's how we do it!!:)