Sick dog

[AlmostThere]

Well, Choco will have surgery tomorrow morning. I need to have him there between 7:30 and 8. The vet tried again to express the gland and she said that she could feel solid chunks so she recommended surgery so she could flush it out, and will also do the other one as what came out of it was really thick so it probably would be just a matter of time before that one got absessed, too. As he's a licker, he'll have to wear a cone afterward. I'm so NOT looking forward to this. I feel so bad for the little guy.

[Mollysmom]

Sorry to hear about Choco's problems ! I hope the surgery and recovery go well. Please keep us posted !
I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

[Nasoosie]

Glad to hear that surgery can fix this nasty problem for poor little Choco. I know it'll be expensive, and the collar is always such a treat for them to wear! (NOT!!) But happy for the update. I hope all goes well for him tomorrow, and for his Mommy, too! I am going to keep a closer watch on Molly's rear from now on, also!!

[mitch5252]

I'm so sorry you both have to go through this...it won't be pleasant for either of you...

Is there anything to do to prevent a recurrence? Or is he just disposed to this problem? I never even heard of anal glands before our current beast.

Good luck tomorrow! We'll all be thinkin' of you and Choco.

[AlmostThere]

Choco tollerated surgery very well. Both glands were flushed and an antibotic steroid was applied.
He won't have to wear a cone unless he starts excessive licking, which I hope he doesn't start. He hasn't eaten anything yet but I suspect the he'll be a bit off his feed till tomorrow. We did go for a walk and he did well, just isn't quite holding his tail up in it's normal curl.
Thanks again for the good thoughts. They are truly appreciated.

[BirdbyBird]

To answer the question re: anal glands. Some dogs are more prone to getting blocked glands while others never have a problem. Some can even get abscessed. At the clinic I worked the smaller and medium sized dogs seemed to have more problems. They aren't that difficult to check and clean while you are bathing a dog. It is the best time, since the stuff is stinky and it is nice to have some shampoo around to clean up the rear..... I took a handling class once, and the handler/instructor made a point of reminding us how important it was to be sure that our dogs had their glands checked regularly. He brought up that if a dog is stressed in any situation (dog show, etc) the first thing they do is tighten their spinctor muscles and if the glands are blocked or too full they feel PAIN. Therefore a lot of those new stressful experiences suddenly become painful experiences also, and the dog begins to associate pain with different activities and the owners/handlers don't realize it. And here we thought, they just didn't want to listen......

[mtngal]

I'm glad to hear your little buddy is doing better Lenora! Bet you are too...

[Nasoosie]

Interesting post, Tina. I guess I could try to clean out Molly's glands once, to see if she would tolerate it. The problem is, she HATES water of any kind----even a heavy dew on the grass, let alone standing in a bathtub!

Do you have any hints as to how to do it? I know I was shown by a vet assistant once years ago, but never did try it. I know that the stuff expressed REEKS, and that I need rubber gloves! Do I just put a finger against the interior sides of her anus and push to express the gunk? (Lovely breakfast talk, here, eh???) I am trying to stay up to date with Molly's toenails, and it would save me a lot of money if I could learn to do those anal glands, as well!

[retiredhappy]

So glad Choco is doing well.

This conversation reminds me of when I had a horse, a gelding, and my trainer explained how I had to clean his sheath. I said, "YOU WANT ME TO DO WHAT?" Oh, the joys of having animals.

[BirdbyBird]

It is one of those things that is better observed. I'm not sure how to explain it. And even after you have the idea, I usually have to feel around and squeeze. Once you know a particular dog, you can feel impactions or back up by touch. It could be that Molly doesn't have any problems. Many dogs don't. You can tell once you have expressed them a few times. Most of the time on the dogs I have now, I don't worry about them. If all is good, you end up expressing very little and what is expressed if anything is a thin tea colored liquid consistency. You know to express more often if you find a lot of liquid and if the liquid is thick. The thicker and gunkier it is the more the glands need to be watched..... If we meet at I gtg, I promise to let one of my dogs become a demo pup! And no they don't like it much...... Time for dinner, now.......

Hope the patient is up and around and feeling better!

[mitch5252]

How's Choco doing?
I hope he's well on the way to full recovery!
And his butt stays out of trouble!!

[AlmostThere]

Thank you for asking, Mitch. He's doing wonderfully! His little behind is all back to looking normal except for the shaved fur. I'm so proud of the little guy. He seems to tollerate pain really well. He has 3 more doses of the antibotics left and in another week he has his check up. I am a bit leery of how he's going to act when I start checking those glands again.

[BirdbyBird]

Glad to hear that he responded so well and bounced back quickly. I know what you mean about the rechecks. Some dogs have really looong memories....