My toy poodle has an abcessed anal gland. The poor thing is in alot of discomfort. She was just at the groomers 2 1/2 weeks ago so I am pretty upset that this has happened. I have a few questions. Should this be happening if the dog is regularly at a professional groomers? She went to the vet Saturday morning (it is now Monday evening). Prior to me taking her in when it burst I originally thought it was a lesion and used a compress with burosil. The vet said I had done the right thing and it was draining which was good. Since then my husband has been able to express more fluid but now it seems cleared up. She still has a sore on her bum and wants to sit alot. Is it possible there is still more fluid inside? Today I tried to express more and I got nothing but she also wasn't crying in pain as I massaged, squeezed, etc. She is on antibiotics and I am still putting warm compresses on the area. How long before she is feeling better?
Thanks.
Abcessed Anal gland
Re: Abcessed Anal gland
What is "burosil"? Do you mean biosol?
Do you know for sure if the groomer knows how to check the anal glands and express them properly? Or do they even check? That's something you have to ask the groomer. Chances are, the groomer didn't notice infected anal glands because they may not have appeared as such at that time.
Don't manipulate the area any more, once expressed, they should be left alone to heal, combined with proper antibiotics and an occasional warm compress (with a clean, damp soft cloth). The more manipulation and expression you do, the more it is uncomfortable, painful and the higher the potential to spread infection.
What are you feeding her? Oftentimes, it is the diet that causes infected or impacted anal glands, most often a diet that doesn't contain an appropriate amount of fiber or one that isn't easily digestable and causes constipation, therefore, straining, which exacerbates and infects the anal glands. Another cause could be a mass, something your vet really needs to check and rule out.
If her anal glands are frequently infected, you need to discuss this with your vet, surgery can be performed to correct this. (I'd seek a second opinion though FIRST before ever opting for surgery).
Do you know for sure if the groomer knows how to check the anal glands and express them properly? Or do they even check? That's something you have to ask the groomer. Chances are, the groomer didn't notice infected anal glands because they may not have appeared as such at that time.
Don't manipulate the area any more, once expressed, they should be left alone to heal, combined with proper antibiotics and an occasional warm compress (with a clean, damp soft cloth). The more manipulation and expression you do, the more it is uncomfortable, painful and the higher the potential to spread infection.
What are you feeding her? Oftentimes, it is the diet that causes infected or impacted anal glands, most often a diet that doesn't contain an appropriate amount of fiber or one that isn't easily digestable and causes constipation, therefore, straining, which exacerbates and infects the anal glands. Another cause could be a mass, something your vet really needs to check and rule out.
If her anal glands are frequently infected, you need to discuss this with your vet, surgery can be performed to correct this. (I'd seek a second opinion though FIRST before ever opting for surgery).
..........Traci
Re: Abcessed Anal gland
Thank you for the info. I will definitely discuss this with the groomer as well as make more of an effort to do her myself. As I mentioned, I used to do it on my previous dog but haven't been able to with her. I will have to try harder (after she is healed of course). I will quit checking if there is more to express and just continue with the antibiotics and the compress.
I feed her EVO Red Meeat small bites for kibble and for wet TRI V
Prime cuts
http://www.trivpetfoods.com/index.php?p ... &Itemid=29
I make sure she finishes her kibble (sometimes she just wants the wet) fgrom the previous meal before she gets anymore wet. It's sometimes a game with her but I am conscious of wanting her stool to be firm, which it tends to be.
Her breeder called last night and said her dad had it a couple of times and then she had them remove. I would rather get a handle on doing it myself instead of putting her through that.
I feed her EVO Red Meeat small bites for kibble and for wet TRI V
Prime cuts
http://www.trivpetfoods.com/index.php?p ... &Itemid=29
I make sure she finishes her kibble (sometimes she just wants the wet) fgrom the previous meal before she gets anymore wet. It's sometimes a game with her but I am conscious of wanting her stool to be firm, which it tends to be.
Her breeder called last night and said her dad had it a couple of times and then she had them remove. I would rather get a handle on doing it myself instead of putting her through that.
Re: Abcessed Anal gland
Is this the same dog you posted about last year with the multiple health issues? (Tia?). If so, then there may be more going on here than infected anal glands, meaning, maybe the diet, and age related (not being able to digest or absorption problems).
Regarding the diet, what has your vet recommended? I am not an advocate for these "fad" diets, they are generally full of unnecessary ingredients, and they are often deficient or excessive in ingredients, supplements, etc. These can all cause GI upset and bowel problems. Plus, if her feeding regime is not consistent, this too can cause fluctuations in bowel functions.
Talk to your vet about a more appropriate diet for her, especially if this is the same dog you posted about last year. If it is, how are her other health issues being addressed? What meds is she now on, and has the vet ruled out one or more meds possibly causing GI issues?
Btw, anal gland impactions/infections are NOT hereditary. And the breeder's advice is the last advice I'd be following. Talk to your vet please, he's the only one who knows your dog's health history, and what is most appropriate for her needs, particularly if she is a senior dog, she requires much different needs now then she did when she was younger!
Also, please be careful when expressing anal glands yourself, you could cause more harm than good. She may not even need them expressed frequently, it could simply be a change in diet to something more appropriate for her needs, age, activity, health.
Regarding the diet, what has your vet recommended? I am not an advocate for these "fad" diets, they are generally full of unnecessary ingredients, and they are often deficient or excessive in ingredients, supplements, etc. These can all cause GI upset and bowel problems. Plus, if her feeding regime is not consistent, this too can cause fluctuations in bowel functions.
Talk to your vet about a more appropriate diet for her, especially if this is the same dog you posted about last year. If it is, how are her other health issues being addressed? What meds is she now on, and has the vet ruled out one or more meds possibly causing GI issues?
Btw, anal gland impactions/infections are NOT hereditary. And the breeder's advice is the last advice I'd be following. Talk to your vet please, he's the only one who knows your dog's health history, and what is most appropriate for her needs, particularly if she is a senior dog, she requires much different needs now then she did when she was younger!
Also, please be careful when expressing anal glands yourself, you could cause more harm than good. She may not even need them expressed frequently, it could simply be a change in diet to something more appropriate for her needs, age, activity, health.
..........Traci
Re: Abcessed Anal gland
Davet is having trouble accessing the forum but I'm relaying his input on this:
Davet says:
I treated them like tonsils,,treat twice and remove the third time,, that is
not exactly a rule that has to be followed but I found that some dogs were
just continual anal gland abscesses--if that is a good word...
Davet says:
I treated them like tonsils,,treat twice and remove the third time,, that is
not exactly a rule that has to be followed but I found that some dogs were
just continual anal gland abscesses--if that is a good word...
..........Traci