Anal Problem-HELP! (BlackLabbie)

How much milk thistle? He's about 26lbs.

They said his glands basically exploded when they went to express them. Lots of fluid, but normal fluid (not pastey or gritty). Would adding more fiber to his diet help this?

 It could very possibly help. Doesn't Orijen have fairly low fiber? Check it, compared to his previous food. Did he have fewer issues? If it has more fiber, and he had less gland issues, try adding pumpkin or metamucil or some sort of fiber, and see what happens. Sensitivities to foods can make it worse, also. General GI irritation makes Emma's get nasty, fast.

His previous food was Canidae Grain-Free Salmon, and he had no issues for along time with that. Then, he started getting soft poops and gas. So, we switched to Orijen 6 Fish and he's done great except for the gland issues now. I will add pumpkin to his food as see how it goes.

Also, today a vet tech recommended using Gold Bond powder on his hotspots for some relief- anybody else hear of that?

 Yes, I've heard of it lots, but never used it.

Yeah, IDK how effective it would be. He's wearing a cone now so it's not like he can lick it off, but IDK if it's even worth trying.

 Well, it helps with itching, and it's drying. Hot spots are generally moist and oozy, so I don't see why it would hurt.... Maybe it'd speed the healing a little, but IDK. I don't put anything on Emma, because she's Emma, and she's the one that gets hot spots

jennie_c_d

 I don't put anything on Emma, because she's Emma, and she's the one that gets hot spots

Yeah, well, I feel like Molson's hoping right on that boat w/ Emma & Pirate!

 it can't hurt - really. the most important thing with hot spots it to keep them dry/dry them out - to get rid of the infection. While he was the cone on may be a good time to try it.

I had a problem with Casey's glands for a while (no infections or anything, but constant expression needed) - but he's been fine for a few months now. (who knows... haha). I just check them every now and then to make sure they don't need to be expressed.

Gibby just had his AG expresses and they said he had a bunch in them.  You know...his express a lot of times when we dont' want them to...such as in the back seat of our car...........................or while climbing on DHs lap when he is sitting on the lounge chair watching tv, and a few other times.  I have never seen him scooting....or doing anything except possibly looking at his but once in a while.    Bubby used to get hers expressed once in a while...and Ollie used to do his own in his bed....of course you always knew by the great smell!  SHEESH!

We see several dogs at work that end up expressing theirs when they are scared...had tons of little dogs do that while carrying them to the back.  INCLUDING Gibby who we were trying to get into a kennel and he wasn't buying it..... he paid us back!!

I do think its interstesting that all three Danes had a firm stool  ( Gibby most of the time except for when he is having problems ) and they still had AG issues.  I had  always thought that if their stool is nice and firm it helps to put pressure on the glands to express along the way out...but not our Danes....

 It seems to be more of a problem with dogs that are built in an extreme way. They're very small, or very large, or have a very unnatural body shape. Or, they have allergy issues.

DON'T use Gold Bond powder -- if they lick it at all it can kill their kidneys.  NOT good stuff to use.  I know some swear by it -- but I also know a woman with a couple of goldens who has seen numerous dogs die from renal failure after Gold Bond use.

Milk thistle -- the adult human dose twice a day is a fine starting place.

We still need to talk on the phone -- I can promise you that homeopathics can help -- not a cure, but they can definitely help assuage the itchies.