Any canine anal gland disease veterans here?

[chookie]

Has your dog ever had problems with his anal glands?

My 6 yr old pomeranian Rasta had surgery yesterday for bladder stones. I noticed that in the night he began to lick his bum -- I figured he was too stiff from the incision to bend enough to lick it easily 5 inches away from his bum), and so just could reach his bum. But by morning, he seemed to be quite uncomfortable, but I didn't know what was going on, as his incision looked great.

A few hours later, he was "scooting" and shrieking with pain. I rushed him to the vet, and was told he had impacted anal glands. They "expressed" them. He still seems to be uncomfortable, although nothing like he was before his glands were cared for. (BTW: smells like Thai shrimp paste)

I've looked on the net, but not found any info specific to my situation, so i turn to the DU Lounge Oracle and ask: is there anything else to be done -- tonight -- to make him feel better? I'll be calling the vet again tomorrow morning, but any "veteran" information in the meantime would be much appreciated as I grapple with a problem I have happily never had to deal with before.

[wicket]

1. I wish I had some information on this :(

But I just wanted to saw I am very sorry to hear about your doggy :( I hope he gets better soon.

[LibertyorDeath]

2. You know it's real tempting but I'll wish your dog & you

all the best instead.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

3. I looked at the topic...

And I thought to myself "Sweet Jebus. What is Da' Lounge got working now? Is this some new extension of Yak Logic?".

Just a veternary health question. I am strangely relieved. ;-)

[chookie]

5. I worried about that too

But at least I got some people to look.

[MikeG]

4. Wow - a dog can give himself a "tossed salad"

I learned that phrase from Oprah.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

6. When I was in high school

we were all up at my grandmother's lake place, and suddenly, at about 5:00AM on a Sunday morning, the dog started yelping and running around. (It must be a very sudden onset condition.)

My parents somehow found a vet who would see him at that hour, and who in fact made a house call. The problem turned out to be impacted anal glands.

I don't remember what the vet did (I may have drifted off back to sleep--I was a teenager, after all), but the dog was fine afterwards.

[bain_sidhe]

7. Not all that uncommon

but damn uncomfortable for the dog. The anal glands produce "scent" - it think it's only male dogs, but I'm not sure. The glands are located to either side of the sphincter, and it's just a matter of pressing the right way to clean (er, actually, squirt) out the imacted fluids. Some owners clean them out themselves, but the yuck factor was way too high for me. I always had the vets do it when my dogboys (both gone now) had a problem. I only have two females now, so haven't had to deal with it recently.

[radfringe]

12. problem in female dogs too

our airdale had a bout with that last year and we've run into it with other dogs male and female

usually the groomer will clean them out as part of the grooming service, and the vet checks them as part of their yearly physical

scooching along the ground is a sign that the glands may be impacted, it's the dog's way of trying to release the pressure, sometimes it works

[BiggJawn]

8. Rush Limp-Balls reads this, I think...

He's an expert on anal disease and cysts and what-nots...

[Mick Knox]

9. This should be a monthly or bi monthly thing

I have experience with this. It is a hassle and very common in Palms. unless you want to learn to do it yourself (quite smelly and gross - not to mention the dog will scream), be ready to take him in - i'm more suprised this is the first time it happened to you.

I also suggest no corn/wheat in his diet AT ALL (ie natures choice etc - very few dog foods meet this requirement).

For tonight - I'm sorry I dont have a real suggestion.

Edit:

I do have one suggestion - keep him somewhere tonight where it is not devestating if he decides to make a fairly gross mess.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

10. Great...now I can't eat Thai Shrimp Paste...

[guitar man]

11. Damn

When I read "anal gland disease", I thought it was going to be another thread about freepers :evilgrin:

Seriously though, if they have expressed the glands,he should be fine now.

[DS1]

13. Doo or Doo Not, there is no try

To express your dogs anal sacs when they become full again, you will need a pair of latex gloves, a handful or paper towels, and an assistant to help hold the dog.
To start the dog needs to be standing and remain as still as possible, the process although is not painful, is uncomfortable, and if your dog has aggressive tendencies the use of a muzzle may be needed.
Place your index finger into the dogs rectum until you feel the sacs on either side, they are positioned around 4'o clock and 8'o clock. Gently apply pressure, in a pinching type grasp, after placing the paper towels over the area. The glands can squirt violently, and can shoot across the room. The liquid is very pungent and difficult to remove, this is why it is recommend you wear gloves, and use paper towels instead of a bath towel. The best location to perform the task is in the bathtub, so any liquid that drips can be rinsed down the drain.
The sacs feel like ripe peas and will shrink when completely emptied. You will be able to feel them shrink down and can then move on to the second sac. Use a soapy cloth to clean around the dog's rectum or rinse him with soap and warm water.
Most vet hospitals also have an adamant supply of “doggy cologne” spray that they use to spray on the dogs rectum area after the procedure, to help mask the odor.
Although, not a pleasant task, you can save yourself the trouble of having to lug your dog to the vet each time the producer is need to be preformed, in addtion to the expense. I hope this offers some helpful tips. Please feel free to get back to me with any additional questions or concerns.

And people wonder why I like cats.

[sleepyhead]

14. if he's still uncomfortable

ask your vet for either an anti-inflammatory injection or an oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication. If your dog has just had surgery, perhaps the NSAID would be better. Anal gland inflammation can be quite painful, even after expression of the glands. Maybe try a cool compress on his bum?