Anal Saculitis (Anal Glands Infection)

[honeycracker]

About a week ago my 2.6 yr old yorkie had his first ever anal gland infection and i wanted to post about it.

Signs to watch out for:
He constantly is trying to lick or scratch his behind.
He is constantly trying to scratch his behind by dragging it on the floor, bed, furniture, etc.

This happened so fast...

at about 8:00 am i noticed something that looked like a mosquito bite on the left side of his behind....after 30 minutes it looked bigger and now he was trying to drag his but on the floor.

I called the vet and told me to see how it progressed till the afternoon because he was eating well and pottying normally...

At about 7 pm.... it started to look very swollen and it looked like a big zit ready to burst. We didnt touch it and on its own the yellow substance came out so we drained it with cotton swabs and put on some gause and took him to the vet. My baby was fine he wasnt complaining since it was a mild case (others ive read about have been worse). the doctor saw that we had drained the substance since it came out on its on so he gave him antibiotic shots ad a cream to put on his behind. He went for a check up and more shots two times that week and now he is ok.

We drain his anal glands at the vet every month and the doctor told me that this happens even if you drain them....so its nothing that you can plan ahead for your pup not to get it you just can do preventive measure like draining them every month or every two months.

im just glad its over because he had his butt covered for 5 days so it wouldnt get dirty.

[TxVicki]

I'm so sorry this happened to your baby. But I would suggest that you keep his anal free of hair. I am glad he is doing better.

I have had Yorkies for many, many years and I have never had this problem, but know of people who's doggies have and I know what a big problem it can be.

[BlueBelle]

Thanks for the info.

[lillymae]

I would keep a close eye on the situation & if you notice the beginning stages again & for the rest of his life as it will most likely happen again , get him to your vet or groomer for a butt squeezen ASAP as anal gland abscesses are VERY painful.

[honeycracker]

We usually shave his behind so that the area keeps celan...the vet told me that most of the cases theyve had occurs in small breeds but it can happen to any dog.....however some dogs dont have this problem at all.

at the time it happens the gland is so wollen that at least in my case the injections helped with any pain he was experiencing and helped decrease the inflamation (although he wasnt in pain because it was a mild case)....on other cases surgery has been required.

Im just glad its over =0)

[lillymae]

Oh he was in pain alright. His bum blew out & that is painful, can you imagine a boil in the crack of your bum ? basically the same feeling, Yeeeeoow, lol. Anal glands can only get so full before they blow and it really doesn't get any worse then that. Anal problems have been associated with allergies. Does your pup itch, have stinky ears or red skin ? Often it is food allergies that cause anal issues. Keeping his bum clean & shaved is good but will not prevent anal issues.Surgery is required when they are full enough to blow & you see it before it blows , then the vet will open it & drain it his/her self rather then allowing it to just burst.

[honeycracker]

I guess what i meant with no pain is that his case was very mild and he got the medicine to help him with any discomfort he couldve been feeling. Other dogs when they have these infections are not even able to potty because it is so painful.

Logan doesnt itck, and doesnt have stinky ears or red skin that is why his behavior was one of the factors i first noticed. He only eats dry food with steamed vegestables and also fruit. and he gets his omega 3 & 8 vitamins.

The vet explained to me the different types of anal gland issues requiring surgery, he also explained that depending on the severity not all need to be operated others can drain out without intervention using the correct medical equipment.

Im just glad that the situation passed very quickly and hope it doesnt happen again.

[GeorgiesMomma]

Originally Posted by honeycracker

I guess what i meant with no pain is that his case was very mild and he got the medicine to help him with any discomfort he couldve been feeling. Other dogs when they have these infections are not even able to potty because it is so painful.

Logan doesnt itck, and doesnt have stinky ears or red skin that is why his behavior was one of the factors i first noticed. He only eats dry food with steamed vegestables and also fruit. and he gets his omega 3 & 8 vitamins.

The vet explained to me the different types of anal gland issues requiring surgery, he also explained that depending on the severity not all need to be operated others can drain out without intervention using the correct medical equipment.

Im just glad that the situation passed very quickly and hope it doesnt happen again.

So glad Logan is feeling better. The same thing happened to Georgie about 4 years ago and it required meds, topical ointment and covering the area for a couple of days. It hasn't happened again.

[CouversMom]

I'm glad he's feeling better. My male is unable to express his anal glands by himself, so when I notice him scooting, I take him into the vet immediately. His haven't ever gotten to the point where they are swollen...

But my mom's shih-tzu had one explode and it was a gaping hole by her bum She had to go on antibiotics and it finally healed up. It is just something you have to keep an eye on and know the signs.

[dlaureanonw]

Thanks for sharing Poor baby i'm glad to hear he is feeling better.