Buddy is itching like crazy, barking, scooting, etc
 

Buddy is my dads Dachshund/Spaniel mix.

He's been acting weird for over a week now. He did see the mobile vet on Tuesday, who said his anal glands were a mess, so she emptied those out. He, of course, as we knew... also needs to be on a diet. He's gained 1lb since October. He's at 21lbs now and should be 14-15lbs.

Me and my dad personally think it's more than his anal glands. The vet had said it could be allergies too so she gave him some pills (supposed to be like Benadryl) so my step-mom has been giving him now for three days.

But what he was doing is basically scratching like crazy (not really scratching at his ears... but more so on his side, like's he's trying to reach his belly). And then he barks/whines out of frustration like he's trying to get to something. He was scooting as well which I know IS typical of anal gland problems. But then he also sits there and licks the air... sticks in his tongue out over and over again. Or he'll start licking the bed. And kind of looking around like he doesn't know what to do.

He was still doing it after the vet left, but yesterday he was much better. He was scratching again when he first woke up, and doing the pacing thing. But did seem much better yesterday since the meds. But this has happened in the past and seems to come up every few months... vet always just says it's anal glands. I really don't think so. I don't think she's doing enough. He's never had bloodwork or x-rays, etc. He does not have fleas or mites.

Here is some videos, the best we could get. When he's on the floor, he does it more than this, but this is kind of what he does:

IMG_2697.mp4 video by actionjacksonxo - Photobucket
IMG_2698.mp4 video by actionjacksonxo - Photobucket

I'm almost thinking it's a neurological problem... but maybe that's extreme. It reminds me of syringomyelia... the problem found in a lot of Cavaliers, but not AS drastic. He sort of does what the dog was doing around 20 second mark, but definitely not as bad.

I do wonder if he has a thyroid problem of sorts... since he seems to gain weight so easily. Yes he gets treats etc, and not a whole lot of exercise, but really we feed him VERY little and I don't understand how he's still gaining weight.

I also found this: Acanthosis Nigricans in Dogs: Blackening Skin - VetInfo where he fits a lot of the symptoms. Most common in Dachshunds, caused by obesity, he does have somewhat dry skin and dry hair.

It is frustrating to me and my dad because this is essentially my step-moms dog and he is her baby, yet if he seems better, she just lets it go and thinks he's a-okay and then it will pop up again in a few months. She thinks this mobile vet is the best, I'm not sure I agree. She also will just switch his food around... some times I bring over food, so she'll use whatever is left of Jackson's food, but if they run out before I come over again, she will just go buy Pedigree or something from the grocery store. She's on the end of the bag of Pedigree, and I do wonder if it's simply the food causing a reaction, but I don't know. It just doesn't seem like JUST allergies to me.

If any of you have any ideas, that would be awesome!

Is he urinating normally? Anal gland problems can improve with a diet higher in fiber, but are also common to dogs with allergies. He would probably benefit by having a vet do a good workup on him. He looks quite uncomfortable. Anal glands can refill quickly when there's a problem. I've had to express Tink's as often as every other day at times till the problem cleared.

You just reminded me again how much better my Wheaten terrier has been the last couple of years. Grain free food (fish only) with lots of probiotics and digestive enzymes. She hardly scratches, doesn't smell, no anal glands,etc... And even if the food can be $$ we use so much less food the bag lasts forever. We spent way more at the vets, meds, special shampoos than the extra price for the food- I know you don't like diamond but even TOTW/ pacific stream would be better than pedigree.

aww...poor little guy! maybe they didn't fully empty out that gland? maybe it's infected? as far as the licking my 3 lick all the time! I a constantly telling them to stop licking...blankets, the sheets, hands, feet....everything!

I believe so. Stool is okay too. Vet did tell us to get a high fiber diet.

I told my stepmom to keep up with the anal glands. She won't do it, but even if she has to take him to the groomer up the street every few weeks...

Thanks! My dad and I ordered Earthborn for him online last night. Price was nice, fiber was 7%, I believe, grain-free, single source protein, etc.

Not sure :( But this is weird licking... not normal for him at all. He's also licking the air, and nothing is there.

Thanks! My dad and I ordered Earthborn for him online last night. Price was nice, fiber was 7%, I believe, grain-free, single source protein, etc.


Actually I have Lucy on the Earthborn Holistics/ Coastal catch after the mess with TOTW. She is doing great, hardly a blip in the switchover,poop even stinks less! A bit too much "peas" for me but she seems ok with it! Good luck, I think a good consistent food will be a big help!

Poor Buddy, he doesn't look comfortable. I hope you and your family can figure this out. It's frustrating not knowing exactly what is going on. I pray it is anal glands and not something else.

I doubt its anal gland causing it. Its most likely allergies but it wouldnt hurt to get bloodwork done. Dogs really dont show pain but could just be showing discomfort and something be going on with them

I been thinking about Buddy all day... the licking the air, and the scratching of his neck behind the ear are both neuro symptoms. How old is Buddy? Can you take his temp? I do wonder if there may be an anal gland abcess in the works also. Half of me wants to say wait and see if the diet change helps, the other half says to go to a neuro for a workup. I think if it were my dog, we would be heading to the neuro...

Thank you! It is frustrating.



Buddy is almost 5. The vet took temp when she visited, it was fine. He was a rescue, we're not sure of his past, or his specific breed. Best guess is long haired Dachshund and Spaniel mix.

But I agree... unfortunately it's not my dog, so I doubt they will take him to a neuro. But I am worried that it IS neurological. But maybe it's not at all... and it's just allergies. I will keep you all updated on the diet change too.

He also seems to have breathing difficulties alot, but I'm pretty sure it's just reversed sneezing. It sounds like all the examples I've heard. Which I think can be a part of allergies too? So maybe it is ....

Poor punkin' :(! It's so hard when something is clearly going on, and you can't figure it out.

My mind is kinda reeling w/ ideas, but I'm just going to post a few and then think some more.

Def check thyroid like you're thinking, just to rule it out. Have you looked at Cushing's symptoms at all? Is he peeing/drinking alot, eating too much...ie obSESSed w/ food, have a pot belly (was his wt gain unusual), lethargy...anything...? See symptms about 1/3rd down page here: Cushings (Hyperadrenocorticism)

Also, has vet given steroid shot just to *see* what happens to the sympt afterward? Ie, does steroid stop the itching or anything? I'd be curious to see if steroid did anything bc if it did, I might be thinking allergies/seasonal. With the scooting, you may want to try having them put hydrocort cream on it, and/or diaper cream...it may help a bit w/ the comfort level and the inflamed tissues.

Was scooting this bad prior too the expression? I hope vet didn't hurt something when expressing.

How long has he been doing all of this? Any red patches on belly or discoloration in his arm pits? I'm sure vet palpated his abdomen...?

Have your Dad palpate his teeth, look at roof of his mouth, check for nasal discharge.

I know I'm all over the place...but all his sympt are so random. I so hope you'll get answers. Maybe Crystal will have some good ideas too...she'd be a good one to get on this thread.

Poor little dude:( I wonder if his anal gland is impacted or infected? You've gotten some good ideas here, that's what I love about YT:D Always some good knowledge here.

I hope Buddy is feeling better soon:love:

Same, word for word here at my house, except we use grain free fowl, as they don't care for the fish. Lola was a tortured mess until I switched her. I just bought treats last week, and all three started itching right away. Those treats went in the trash, and the itching was gone after 3 miserable days. Please tell mom to pitch the Pedigree.

Not that this could be the case for your dog and especially not intending to get you off track of what it really could be, but our mini schnauzer showed these signs (definitely neurological0 after he was given Sentinal tablets for fleas and internal parasites. We immediately stopped giving them to him and he no longer has the symptoms, although it took awhile before they completely disappeared. (that makes sense, since it was a pill he took and would take awhile to get out of his system. It is one of the bad side affects of Sentinel, but doesn't happen in all dogs, according to our vet. We only use the topical (Frontline Plus works well for us and for Buddy) now.