Interesting to note this
 

Hi,

I just got back from the vet with my two yorkies. I decided to take them for various reasons--mainly a mother's instinct-if you know what I mean. Anyway, I noticed that Mayzie has a bald (kinda) spont on her lower back near her tail off to one side and a few other things but anyway that was the deciding factor for me to take her. Here is the interesting part: Her anal glands were blocked and inflamed! After examining her and seeing where the spot was, he said he needs to check her anal sacs because of the placement of that spot. It was in line with the sac on that side. He said that dogs will bite in that area when their anal glands are bothering them because when they turn to reach that spot it helps the gland to feel better when they are doing it and the dog thinks it is fixing/helping it--well, that is close to what he said anyway :rolleyes: I expected him to say it was a food allergy but he doesn't think it is due to other things but I have to take her back in 10 days.

I took Mo too because of his wet eyes and his one eye is inflamed again. The vet is leaning towards a lacronasal duct obstruction (I think that is what he called it) His glands were very full but not inflamed.

I just thought I would pass this on because I never even gave anal glands a thought and I know they can mean trouble if not attended too. I am thankful it is not food allergies.

Wow, thats interesting! Thanks for sharing, and hope they both get better now!

other signs to look for are excessive scooting, a horrible smell worse the the occasional 'toot' LOL, excessive licking and the biting. the sores that will be created from the licking and the biting usually will be on their lower back or hip area because not all times will they be able to reach their butt. very obvious signs would be a red and swollen butt area.

pray you never see it again LOL anal gland expression is not the best part of being a vet or a tech for that matter. i've had my finger up way too many doggie butts and its not pleasant for anyone in the room

Sending get well hugs to Mayzie and Mo, hope they are feeling better soon.

Just a thought for the clogged eye duct -- will Mo let you put a VERY warm compress on it? Maybe a damp cloth soaked in a saline solution and just as warm as he can stand it? Works wonders on eyes of all kinds.

Hope they feel better. I think that most groomers do the anal glands when they go in. Find out from your groomer next time you take them in for a grooming.

This had happened to my Sunshine (RIP) several years ago. This was way before I had any idea what anal glands were

Her spot was on her lower back/hip area. She scoots from time to time. This is not the first time she had to have it done. She had it done on one of her first vet visits because she was scooting. I'm glad I noticed it before it developed into sores.

Wuuuuuuuuuuwhheeeeeeeeee! I have smelled it and it is NOT pleasant that's for sure :eek: :thumbdown

I just hope this is not an ongoing problem with her. I have to take her back in 10 days.

That's a good idea! I don't know if he will let me do that or not. I will give it a try. :thumbup:

My groomer will do it for a fee. I had no idea that Mo even had a problem because he showed no signs. Fortunately, he was not inflammed just packed :( But that is just Mo--he has got to be the easiest going little guy on the planet. He is a sweetie. Now Mayzie was showing signs of distress with the biting but like I mentioned before never gave the anal glands a thought as the cause.