Anal gland bumps and allergies?
 

Hi everyone,

Chuck is a 12 year old male yorkie. We're struggling with trying to find the cause of bumps that start on his anus and spread across his body.

He was raised on Purena Pro Plan Sensitive Stomach, along with Science Diet Healthy Teeth and homemade Satin Balls (recipe found on this forum, thank you) for treats. Every now and then he gets people food like chicken and cheese but in small amounts.

He's not had any skin or allergy issues until this fall. He began chewing his butt and we noticed pimple like puss filled bumps on his anus. My husband is unemployeed and money is tight, so I tried some home remedies for a week. The bumps spread across his tummy and back; we had no choice but to take him to the vet who prescribed a two week course of antibiotics along with benedryl and a weekly bath with a very expensive shampoo. Within a couple days the bumps were drying up and Chuck was doing better.

Within a week of ending the antibiotics, the bumps on his butt returned. We did another two weeks of antibiotics, bendryl and baths. Again, the bumps cleared.

We thought it maybe the wheat in the satin balls and stopped giving them to him. His dry food doesn't have wheat. During this time, I also began expressing his anal glands and we continued with the benedryl and baths. The bumps didn't return for almost three weeks.

We're starting another round of antibiotics, taking him off the dry food and only feeding him satin balls.

Has anyone else had this experience? The bumps start on his anus, spread up his tail, down into his crotch, then across his belly. I use the special shampoo on his butt, and a soothing shampoo on the rest of him because he's starting to get dandruff.

My poor little guy...he's so miserable with the itchies and he's normally a happy dude!

We appreciate any advice, especially frugal ones. Thanks!

When you say Anal Gland bumps, are you talking about his Anals are full & you can see them sticking out from swelling ? Anal gland issues are most often caused by allergies.Also I have 5 dogs & All had allergies to the healthy teeth food.

No...

The bumps look like white head pimples. They're smallish bumps filled with white puss. They begin on the anus, then spread to the base of the tail, and below towards the legs.

If left untreated, they spread to the tummy, back and neck. He began to get them around his ears and eyes when we began the first round of antibiotics. We haven't allowed it to spread like that again because the first time was so terrible!

What did the vet say when he gave you the antibiotics? I’m think if it were an allergy and food related, the antibiotics would not have cleared it up, it sounds more like an infection. As I recall, Satin Balls were a food snack meant to be giving as a supplement when you wanted to add weight to a dog. They are not meant to be the primary food source as they lack vitamins. I would definitely keep him on a food that was complete and balanced. You need to call your vet, again, it’s possible that he wasn’t on the antibiotics long enough. Also, may people stop antibiotics when the infection clears up and if there is any bacteria left over in the system, they can regroup and multiply and come back with a vengeance, and this is what could have happened, your vet needs to know this. So sorry, money is tight, but your vet needs to know about this, your dog is probably really suffering.

Our vet is aware because she has to refill the prescription, which was her advise. She still says it's an allergy. We're beginning round 3 of antibiotics and it's taken 3 weeks for the bumps to reappear.

We're trying a new antihistamine too, vet prescribed something other than benedryl.

Thanks for the notice about satin balls. I'm researching homemade food now. My SIL's dog had cancer, and she was able to prolong his life by a couple years with a canine cancer diet (he was healthy and active; once he started to refuse to eat, they had to make the difficult decision to euthanize him).

Chuck actually comes to me now to express his glands; he's very happy after I do it. Ick!!


OH, and we're feeding him a big tablespoon of pumpkin (not the pie filling) to boost his fiber to see if his glands will release naturally.

Did she think it was a food allergy? I just don't understand why these sores are infected.

Yes, she said it was a food allergy.

You make a very good point about an infection. Just last night, he broke out with sores on his leg, but his anus is clear. No bumps.

Very frustrating for us all.

Has your vet done a culture on the bumps? My MIL struggles with some similar types of bumps on her dog and her vet told her it is staph infection. Are you always giving the same antibiotic? Maybe the vet needs to try a different one.

That's what I was thinking, very serious too.

Chuck is on day 3 of the same antibiotic and a new antihistamine. He is responding very well but I will research and consider the staph infection.

Thank you very much for your responses!

Thanks for the update, I hope this time the antibiotic kills it all.