firebirdgold
Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Nov 30, 2005
- Messages
- 2,216
Well, I found out what happens when you don't get your dog's anal glands expressed.... they rupture. So now my dog has an extra 'hole' in his rear that's leaking blood and foul-smelling goo. And having a big dog doesn't get you a free pass due to large poos, since monster dog is very large. Ok ok, he's too large which apparently can make this sort of thing worse.
So if the glands don't get expressed, the scent oil goes from olive oil consistency to hardened tar. But the gland keeps producing so it just builds up until it blows a hole out to the surface.
He has a cocktail of meds to calm the inflammation and infection, and I have to press a warm damp compress to his rear multiple times a day.
I couldn't find doggy diapers large enough so the poor thing is locked in our largest bathroom. He doesn't look very happy. (and it doesn't smell all that great in there either).
Hopefully the warm compress will loosen up the hardened stuff, but it's pretty darn hard. If it doesn't he'll have to have surgery to clear out his glands, and maybe even have to have his glands removed altogether which could cause an incontinent dog.
It's a little odd but the best hope I have is that monster dog might have a genetic condition. His mommy was a german shepherd and shepherd's often have some sort of fistulas (sp?) or something that can cause this sort of problem but is very treatable with meds. So I'm keeping my fingers crossed, we won't know until the rupture calms down and the vet can get a better look.
So, summary time: It may be gross, but get your dog's anal glands expressed on a regular basis or you'll be sorry! I know I am.
So if the glands don't get expressed, the scent oil goes from olive oil consistency to hardened tar. But the gland keeps producing so it just builds up until it blows a hole out to the surface.
He has a cocktail of meds to calm the inflammation and infection, and I have to press a warm damp compress to his rear multiple times a day.
Hopefully the warm compress will loosen up the hardened stuff, but it's pretty darn hard. If it doesn't he'll have to have surgery to clear out his glands, and maybe even have to have his glands removed altogether which could cause an incontinent dog.
So, summary time: It may be gross, but get your dog's anal glands expressed on a regular basis or you'll be sorry! I know I am.