Sick dog

[AlmostThere]

Of course this has to happen over the holiday weekend! For the past few weeks my dog, Choco the American Pugg, has been scooting his bottom on the ground/carpet. I have been checking his anal glands and all seemed ok, nothing to express. Well, yesterday, while walking him, I noticed his bottom seemed swollen and this time there was a huge lump. I called my vet and we got in right away. She tried to express the gland but it just wasn't happening. She tried expressing the normal gland and what came out was more solid that it should be. She is stumped as to why the secreation is so solid. Anyway, I opted for hot compresses, antibiotics (Clavamox) and for pain, of course, rimadyl. She says that the gland will finally rupture on it's own and then will heal up and be fine again. If this doesn't happen in the next day or so he will need surgery to correct it. She gave me the ph# of a vet hospital she recommends that I can take him to or call over the weekend should I need further help. He in not running a fever and is otherwise acting the same. So fingers crossed this will resolve.

[retiredhappy]

Oh, poor baby. Keep us posted on how he's doing. I HATE it when my babies are sick.

[avalen]

poor Choco, hope the compresses and meds work to get him back in tip top shape.

[OutandAbout]

I hope your fur baby is OK after the meds do their job. My thoughts are with you two. Linda

[dpf]

Been there and done that Lenora...one of our Boston' s could go from nothing to severely impacted glands over night. After having one gland rupture (oh! what a stench and a thick pasty discharge) three days after her annual check-up in which her anal gland were checked and were fine, the vet removed the other and we didn't have any problems after that. She had never been a "butt scooter"..which our vet said was common for impacted anal glands. For some reason it seems to be a predominate problem with Bostons, Pugs and French Bull Dogs. ...don't ask me why. Some people on Boston forums say it is diet and if they receive too much soft dog food and then the feces doesn't stimulate the glands enough to empty them when passing...hope this isn't too graphic! If Choco is anything like Tink was when she was suffering from an episode he doesn't want anyone looking at his hinney....pretty private about the matter even if they are suffering.

[AlmostThere]

Update; well, he's not going for the not compresses! Yesterday he did allot of licking and there is a spot where it's draining some blood, but I have yet to see anything from the gland. He takes his meds like a trooper. My vet's tech called yesterday to see how it was going and she says that all sounds like it running the normal course. So I guess I continue to wait it out. It breaks my heart to see him hurting. I feed him the same brand (Premium Edge), dry food his breeder used. Thanks to all who responded with good wishes. I'll keep you updated!

[Cedar518]

sorry to hear about this Lenora,... hope things are improving....

[Nasoosie]

Poor little Choco. Sure hope he gets better soon. It's good that he takes his meds, even if he won't allow the hot packs! And YES....things with pets always seem to happen on holidays----it must be an unwritten rule, or something!

Molly's anal glands get full very fast----about as fast as her toenails grow. I usually have to have her 'squeezed and clipped' quite often! I can do her toenails, one or two at a time. And I once knew how to squeeze anal glands, but not for years. Guess I'll keep a close watch on her both ends!

Good luck to both of you, Lenora.

[WickedLady]

Hope Choco is getting better.

[BirdbyBird]

Let us know how it goes.... The butt stuff can sure get painful....

[AlmostThere]

Sarah, my vet's tech, called first thing this morning to see how the weekend went. I told her that he's eating, playing, no fever, but is licking his butt excessively and she said that that is a good indication that all is still not well and that it's still bothering him. The area is still swollen and I've seen no sign of any yucky drainage. (I'd hate to think he's been licking it off if it were the case). So she talked with the vet (Dr Wendy) and called me back and asked me to bring him in at 2:30 this afternoon. So we'll see what she has to say then. I'll keep you updated. Thanks for caring.

[WickedLady]

If it is still swollen they will probably have to open it up. Poor thing. Keep us posted.

[avalen]

watching for an update, I'm sure hopeing its good news.

[Redetotry]

I hope your baby is feeling better it is so hard to see them feeling bad.
I do wonder though why your vet gave Rimadyl for pain as it is usually for arthritis & has lots of side effects.

[Getupngo]

Oooh ... poor Choco. That sounds really painful. I hope he feels better soon. And yes, my Bandit never gets sick between 8 - 5 on weekdays. And I think he saves it up for holidays.