Hello all. It's been a while since I've posted, or even lurked around these parts. Hope all your furry family members are doing well.
I hope you can share some insight, lessons learned, etc as our Cooper is having anal gland issues. He was born July 2012, so coming up on 5 years old. Not neutered.
In spring of 2014, after playing & swimming one evening, he was noticeably uncomfortable & wouldn't sit for very long. We took him to the vet the next morning & his anal sacs were full & were expressed, no issues.
Forward to last part of October 2016 & Cooper had some gunk on his back end & we thought it was just from a messy poop, which he gets the odd time. However, it continued, after cleaning it up for a few days. Everything else was normal - eating, drinking, playing, pooping, etc. No biting, licking, scooting to indicate a sac issue. We were scheduled for his routine exam as it turned out & took him in.
Both sides were full, bloody, & infected. He was put on antibiotics (Clindamycin) and we went back for re-checks & it cleared up. She said to come back in 2 months. At about 6 weeks, we noticed the discharge again so took him back & the right side was infected again. More antibiotics (Simplicef). Took him back for a re-check, still bloody, so they infused an antibiotic (unsure of name) into his anal glands/sac. Re-checks were clear. Come back in a month.
March 13 was a month (plus 3 days) & his right side is infected again. Another antibiotic infusion.
Now, the vet is suggesting the anal gland removal surgery. She couldn't pinpoint a reason for his issues, other than it just happens sometimes. We asked about the weight, food changes we are making, but is not convinced it will help much as once they get an infection, it's tough to clear up completely & stay away. She says Cooper's, right side especially, are difficult to express, and doesn't feel I could do it on my own (I asked). He also has one recessed testicle & I asked if that could be contributing, and no. (*As a side note: various things have come up, putting off his neutering. At his annual exam, we were finally going to book it. But have had to wait due to his infections).
So the option is keep going every 2, maybe 3 weeks (as we didn't even make a month this last time). She downplayed the side effects we've read about with the surgery as rare, she hasn't had any major issues. She said when you add up all the treatments so far & the continued expressions, you could have the surgery done for similar cost. Plus, the longer they go on getting infected, the harder they are to express, and eventually to remove.
Since November, we are working on losing weight (he is down 4 kgs (9 lbs) since his annual exam/first infection). Based on past body scores & breeder advice, we want to get him to 35-38 kgs. Since January, we added fibre to his food such as ground flax, carrots, apple, spinach, sweet potato. His kibble is Acana. Currently Prairie Poultry, but we rotate the flavours/combinations. The vet said there is a new product Glandex, 'guaranteed to work', so we have been adding the powder to his food since Feb. 17.
Our breeder has only had 1 other dog (out of ~175 puppies) with any kind of anal gland issue. Jake was also heavy, and with more active exercise (off leash running/fetch) & losing weight, it went away easily. She has been helpful to talk to, but just hasn't seen this issue.
We've been increasing Cooper's activity, in addition to his usual walks.
Our breeder recommended a homeopathic vet, to see if there are other options besides surgery & so we have an appointment next Tuesday.
Reading through previous threads on this topic, food allergies comes up often. There was no major change in his food in the fall, other than possibly a different flavour, but we have been doing that for years.
Part of me doesn't want to make it worse by waiting to do the surgery. But, the side effects of the surgery are scary. We are not keen to rush to that either. Money is always an issue, so at the same time, trying everything under the sun isn't financially feasible.
Anyone had a similar issue with recurring infections & success clearing it up?
Thought on alternatives before surgery?
Anyone have success with surgery?
Thanks for making it through my long post.
I hope you can share some insight, lessons learned, etc as our Cooper is having anal gland issues. He was born July 2012, so coming up on 5 years old. Not neutered.
In spring of 2014, after playing & swimming one evening, he was noticeably uncomfortable & wouldn't sit for very long. We took him to the vet the next morning & his anal sacs were full & were expressed, no issues.
Forward to last part of October 2016 & Cooper had some gunk on his back end & we thought it was just from a messy poop, which he gets the odd time. However, it continued, after cleaning it up for a few days. Everything else was normal - eating, drinking, playing, pooping, etc. No biting, licking, scooting to indicate a sac issue. We were scheduled for his routine exam as it turned out & took him in.
Both sides were full, bloody, & infected. He was put on antibiotics (Clindamycin) and we went back for re-checks & it cleared up. She said to come back in 2 months. At about 6 weeks, we noticed the discharge again so took him back & the right side was infected again. More antibiotics (Simplicef). Took him back for a re-check, still bloody, so they infused an antibiotic (unsure of name) into his anal glands/sac. Re-checks were clear. Come back in a month.
March 13 was a month (plus 3 days) & his right side is infected again. Another antibiotic infusion.
Now, the vet is suggesting the anal gland removal surgery. She couldn't pinpoint a reason for his issues, other than it just happens sometimes. We asked about the weight, food changes we are making, but is not convinced it will help much as once they get an infection, it's tough to clear up completely & stay away. She says Cooper's, right side especially, are difficult to express, and doesn't feel I could do it on my own (I asked). He also has one recessed testicle & I asked if that could be contributing, and no. (*As a side note: various things have come up, putting off his neutering. At his annual exam, we were finally going to book it. But have had to wait due to his infections).
So the option is keep going every 2, maybe 3 weeks (as we didn't even make a month this last time). She downplayed the side effects we've read about with the surgery as rare, she hasn't had any major issues. She said when you add up all the treatments so far & the continued expressions, you could have the surgery done for similar cost. Plus, the longer they go on getting infected, the harder they are to express, and eventually to remove.
Since November, we are working on losing weight (he is down 4 kgs (9 lbs) since his annual exam/first infection). Based on past body scores & breeder advice, we want to get him to 35-38 kgs. Since January, we added fibre to his food such as ground flax, carrots, apple, spinach, sweet potato. His kibble is Acana. Currently Prairie Poultry, but we rotate the flavours/combinations. The vet said there is a new product Glandex, 'guaranteed to work', so we have been adding the powder to his food since Feb. 17.
Our breeder has only had 1 other dog (out of ~175 puppies) with any kind of anal gland issue. Jake was also heavy, and with more active exercise (off leash running/fetch) & losing weight, it went away easily. She has been helpful to talk to, but just hasn't seen this issue.
We've been increasing Cooper's activity, in addition to his usual walks.
Our breeder recommended a homeopathic vet, to see if there are other options besides surgery & so we have an appointment next Tuesday.
Reading through previous threads on this topic, food allergies comes up often. There was no major change in his food in the fall, other than possibly a different flavour, but we have been doing that for years.
Part of me doesn't want to make it worse by waiting to do the surgery. But, the side effects of the surgery are scary. We are not keen to rush to that either. Money is always an issue, so at the same time, trying everything under the sun isn't financially feasible.
Anyone had a similar issue with recurring infections & success clearing it up?
Thought on alternatives before surgery?
Anyone have success with surgery?
Thanks for making it through my long post.