anal gland removal - Page 1

I have a 12 month old shepherd who has had chronic inflammation of both his anal glands.  I first noticed the problem when he was constantly licking his butt and he always seemed to smell like his anal glands had just been emptied.  When I took him to the vet his anal glands were full of blood and a really really thick gritty discharge.  When they were emptying the anal sacs, he was screaming so badly it sounded like he had been hit by a bus, he was in so much pain!   After his anal sacs were emptied, I was given 2 weeks of antibiotics to try and get rid of the infection.  I brought him in 3-4 times in that two week period of time to have his anal glands checked to see if the antibiotics were working.  The second time I brought him in his anal glands were no longer bloody but they were still full of a really thick and gritty substance.  The next 2-3 times I took him in he had blood in his anal glands again with the thick and gritty discharge.  The next time I brought him in was about 4-5 days after he was done with his anitibiotics to see if he all the infection and swelling was gone.  Well he still had the blood and the thick gritty discharge so I was given another different stronger antibiotic to try and give to him for three weeks and to put hot compresses on his butt.  I was told to bring him back in in about a month.  Well I took him in a month later and he again still has blood and that thick gritty discharge in both anal glands.  I was again given another type of antibiotic for three weeks to try and then it sounds like if this doesn't work I will have to have his anal glands both removed. I was just wondering if anyone else has had this type of problem before and if there is anything else that I could do besides having his anal glands removed or if removing his anal glands if the right way to go.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Mysti

Never had anything this persistent, but the vet should try flushing the anal glands with an antibiotic solution instead of giving oral antibiotics. First the glands need to be emptied, then the antibiotics administered right into the glands. Most of the solution should stay in there so it can do its job. This will deliver the antibiotics where they need to be active. This may be repeated several times til its cleared up. No need for oral antibiotics.

You can also help the body with proper food and some supplements. Give high doeses of vitamin C and Omega3 fatty acids to help the immune system a bit. Feed a high quality hypoallergenic food for a while til things have cleared up.

I had anal glands removed on a dog who was older and had trouble but not quite as severe as your dog..poor guy, that has got to be so uncomfortable......

I'm just curious what you feed and what his bowel habits are?? does he often have diarrhea or loose stools?? Stools should be firm so as to take advantageof what the anal glands are supposed to do, which is lubricate..... As in people, improper diet and exercise often contribute to  problems of this nature.... I'm not saying you are doing any of those things, just maybe one or the other may affect him

My dog recovered from his surgery without complication and that was many years ago.. I did have to flush with saline a couple times a day for a few days but after that he never even looked back (no pun intended!!)

Denise

Sorry your boy's having such a problem. Our two and a half year old male has had trouble with one of his anal glands and, as D.H. mentioned, our vet packed the gland with antibiotic (Panalog actually, I believe it was) in addition to an oral antibiotic.  Our vet told us exactly what Denise said... that firm stool will express the glands on its way out and that if the dog's stool is soft or loose that doesn't happen effectively which can result in problems with it (them).   Hope you get him sorted out...

I've been feeding him Eagle Pack, and he always seems to have solid stools.  I have very very rarely seen him with loose stools or diarrhea.   I am supposed to be taking him into the vet once a week for the three weeks that he  will be on antibiotics so next week when I take him in I will see about having his anal glands flushed out and then  put antibiotics into the anal glands.  It's defiantely worth a try.  I feel so bad for the poor guy.  He is starting to hate going to the vet clinic because he knows that everytime he goes in there that they are going to be doing something to his anal glands.  Thanks for the suggestions I really appreciate them.

Mysti

I just wanted to give everyone an update with my boy.  I took him into the vet today to have his anal glands checked and one was empty and the other was full but it didn't have any of the gritty discharge or blood in it.  Here's hoping that things are turning around.  I will still be taking him into the vet once a week for the next two weeks to make sure that they don't get inflamed and infected again.  Thanks.

Mysti

Bet he feels better!!