Dog support needed..

[Glenn]

Those dogs that show signs of a "broken tail" is caused by there anal glands being swollen. This happens alot when the dogs are working in cold water.

You can relieve this pressure by squeezing his anal glands with a paper towel. You should see some black liquid on you paper towel after doing this. This will relieve the pressure and have his tail up in no time.

In some cases, you need to give your dog some antibiotics for a couple of days.

[Meeka]

Glenn, just how frequently do you perform this procedure on your dog? Does your dog seem to enjoy this? Have you tried this on your hunting buddies??!!!!

[damnyankee]

You know I thought the same thing, but I realized this guy was trying to help me so I left it alone...........

[Anatidae]

'Took 'Sprig' to the vet, yesterday......'had her glands 'expressed' [img]images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img].....was obviously very uncomfortable.......she hasn't spoken to me since [img]images/smiles/icon_razz.gif[/img],....and I was just holding her head still. I guess she's pissed for puttin' her in that position. [img]images/smiles/icon_mad.gif[/img](What'd ya hold me down like that for, you SOB?.....you can go get your own DAMN ducks from now, ON!....your slippers, TOO!...Traitor!) [img]images/smiles/icon_razz.gif[/img] [img]images/smiles/icon_mad.gif[/img]

One side was impacted and she's on anti-biotics to clear it up. 'May take awhile to recover her 'dignity'. [img]images/smiles/icon_sad.gif[/img] 'Hope your dog gets better, soon! [img]images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]

[ December 04, 2001: Message edited by: Anatidae ]

[damnyankee]

I took dog to different Vet for a second opinion(Thanks Chance) and the doc assured me it was only a pulled muscle in her back. Rimadyl and a weeks worth of bed rest.

I did impress the Dr. with my new found knowledge of cold tail, plugged anal glands, stubbed claws etc.. he was ready to give me a job.

Thanks to all that replied made me feel alot better. I sometimes forget how much that dog means to me until something like this happens. Poor dog has only got to eat McDonalds cheeseburgers past few nights while I've stayed up with her.

Take Care,

[ December 04, 2001: Message edited by: damnyankee ]

[bluwtr]

Guys, after reading the posts I just have to ask----what in the hell is an anal gland on a dog, how do you know when it's not right and how would one know to "express" it? Just some food for thought and talk seeing as the birds aren't around.

Wes [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

[Anatidae]

Wes......'don't know if I'd use those two phrases in the same context.....i.e. 'expressing anal glands' and 'food for thought'. [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] But whatever.

Usually, the dog will continually lick that area (under the tail), and in some cases pull hair out around the base of the tail. The other symptom is their breath smells real 'funky' and in the worst cases, your house begins to smell 'funky'. When it gets THAT bad, other dogs don't even wanna have anything to do with it. [img]images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img]("Woo-wee Sister, I don't know what dey bin feedin' ya, but it ain't 'Alpo'!") [img]images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img]

[ December 04, 2001: Message edited by: Anatidae ]

[LongBarrel]

Here's the info...

Anal sac impaction, anal sacculitis, anal sac abscess,Impacted anal sacs, infection of the anal sac, abscessed anal sac

Affected Animals:
Although any dog can be affected, smaller breeds such as chihuahuas, dachshunds, and miniature or toy poodles are more commonly seen by veterinarians for anal gland problems. Cats suffer from the disease less commonly.

Overview:
Anal sacs are the reservoirs for the secretions of anal glands which are located on either side of a dog’s anus, at approximately four and eight o’clock. These sacs contain liquid secretions from the anal gland, which, in healthy animals, are normally pale yellow-brown to grayish in color. The contents are usually emptied during normal bowel movements, or when a dog is nervous or scared. In most animals, these sacs empty easily. However, some dogs, especially small breed dogs, are not able to empty the sacs properly and become susceptible to anal sac disease.

A dog with anal sac disease may scoot across the ground in an attempt to relieve the sensation of pressure and irritation around its rectum. Dogs with this illness will also chase their tails and bite or lick their rear ends to alleviate the discomfort.



Left good, right BAD!



There are three progressive stages of anal sac disease. The three stages include anal sac impaction, anal sacculitis, and anal sac abscess. Anal sac impaction occurs when the liquid accumulates and thickens, causing the anal sacs to become distended and difficult to empty. A veterinarian can usually relieve the impaction by rectally squeezing the grape-like sacs individually until the thickened substance is expressed.

The second stage of the disease is known as anal sacculitis, or inflammation of the anal sac. In this stage the anal sac material continues to accumulate and may become infected by bacteria. The third, and final, stage is abscess formation. This stage is the most severe and the most painful of the anal sac diseases. It may require surgical treatment. Sometimes the abscess can rupture through the skin, leaving an oozing red hole that is visible next to the anus. All stages of anal sac disease are treatable by a veterinarian.

[LongBarrel]

Just look at that picture.
Can you believe the "artist" actually signed it?


[img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

[Anatidae]

That's almost obscene! [img]images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img]

[damnyankee]

That is some good info. My fiancee has a little dog that drags his ass like you describe, funniest damn thing you have ever seen. Vet told me that is also the little guys way of marking his area, after taking a uh, #2. I know I'd stay off your area if I saw you do that.

[bluwtr]

Glenn--lighten up!! Anatidae, you are right, I shouldn't have strung together those statements!!! [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] Hell, my lab's breath stinks all the time anyway, and I thought dogs were just cleaning themselves. Not something I want to have to look for [img]images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img]

My wife got a chihuahua a couple of weeks back, cute in his own ugly "rat on acid" way, and he's been seeing how strong his front legs are (dragging). We thought he might have worms, but the breeder had him dewormed. Do dogs need to be a certain age before this could become a problem, or could an 8 week old pup have it?

Wes

[damnyankee]

My fiancee's Chiwhasomething has done it since it was a pup, it's 14 right now and it still thinks it's a pup. That's right buddy 14 and no signs of slowing down so you
better get used to him, they live forever!!!

Actually before I met my fiancee the thought of a small dog was like owning a cat, but damn they grow on you. They've got personality like no other, and this little guy would fight a grizzly if it tried to harm my fiancee.

[baldduck]

My wifes dog(Pom.), has that problem (anal sac). We have to take him to the vet about once a month to get the relief from the vet. He was dragging his but, and would get sick(vomit). Doctor said nothing he can do other than to help relieve the gland. Good luck to yall, but ever since he's been going to the vet to get help he's had some power gas, I'm talking run me and my wife out of the den. Worst thing about it is he'll pass gas then get up and leave. baldduck

[bluwtr]

Yeah, this little sucker weighs about 1/2 ounce and he aggrivates the piss out of my 90# black lab. The lab thinks he is still a little pup while the chihuahua thinks he's a bull mastif. Your right though, he is cute and he is growing on me (kinda like a fungus) [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

Can their anal sacs be surgically removed? or do they serve an important function? Seems like it would be cheaper and more comfortable for the dog.

Wes