That looks like a possible abcessed anal gland. Get him seen before it ruptures... ruptures require surgery.

No real change this morning. Less red and irritated, but as soon as we took the diaper off he tried to lick again. There is no swelling at all. The anus looks fine. Skin looks fine now that its not freshly raw and angry looking. I don't get it. Since he's still going after the area, DH is going to bring him into the vet today.

10am appt... I'll keep you all posted!

Praying for good results at the vet....

My grand dog had a similar problem after grooming and the groomer shaved his little bum. For some reason that time it really bothered him and he licked and licked and got an infection, which then needed antibotics to clear up. Hope everything goes well and glad you caught it early.

Keep us updated

This has happened to both my boys from the clippers at the groomers. I tell them not to shave their behinds anymore, just scissor clip back there.

DH just got back from the vet. Its nothing. Skin irritation. Allergies the vet thinks. Im so glad it's not his glands, vet checked that and said they were empty. I'm waiting for DH to tell me if the vet said to do anything specific for him so he does not get more irritated or infected from licking.

Poor Dex (and his mama) we are both allergy infested! :(

That's good... hope he feels better soon!

He hopefully has some ideas for how to keep this kind of reaction from amping up again and I'm so interested to know what he suggests. Hope this was a one-timer and you can keep him off it while it heals. Keep us updated and hope it doesn't turn out to be more. Good news so far!

Yes, I agree, scissors only. I really think your fast action kept it from getting really bad.

I just knew this was not major. I kind of thought this was nothing, there is nothing there. This morning it was not red, there was no rash, no swelling, around butt hole area was not swollen (like it were his glands). And benedryl kept him from even trying to lick it all night, so I figured it was some skin irritation going on. I hope the vet gave DH some suggestions on how to keep him from licking himself raw.

What I am suspicious about is Taste of the Wild dog food. They were on it for 6 years. Maybe 5. Then in Oct/Nov 2012 it got recalled. Came back in Dec/Jan and I went back to it. Since then, Dex has had 2 ear infections, Fletch had one and now this skin irritations and they are licking their paws, which they never did before. They are constantly licking. Fletch licks the couch and my pant leg until I stop him.

I was so happy with Taste of the Wild. But I may need to transition them to something else at this point. I need some equivalent good food ideas for them. The vet ONLY recommends Science Diet, which Im not opposed to, but I just want to make sure from all you experts, is there anything else I should try. I don't want my poor boy on Benedryl (which is what the vet recommended) every single day.

Sending well wishes for Dex. I am very happy to hear that his glands are fine.

Do Dex and Fletcher have any known allergies to specific ingredients? I have had my boys on Fromm's Chicken a la Veg for 3 years and haven't had a problem. No recalls from the company so far, long history in business, they test all of their food. They have other flavors too. The only one I would stay away from is the Salmon. Some dogs react to the Salmon.

I hate it when they do a food ingredient change and don't make that information available all over the bag. Did your vet recommend a specific type of SC or just any? There are some foods made specifically for dogs with allergies. Everyone here will say get a no grain food, but from my understanding the other things they use like peas, can be just as likely to cause an allergy. Best of luck, it seems like food suggestions go in trends, it's like there's always a favorite food of the year. If my dog had allergies, I'd be tempted to look into raw, but I'd probably have to read for years before I was comfortable with my choice. :D

:thumbup::thumbup: Peas and tapioca in many grain free foods. Finding the right food is tough.

hope he feels better soon