Buddy (9.5 year old Lab) has an abcessed anal gland which will require surgery to remove, so says the vet this morning. Yesterday morning, I noticed Buddy licking his anal area and found lots going on in the area. First he had a small open wound (the hole was about 1/16" diameter) and also the area around the wound was swollen, red and irritated.
I cleaned it with plain soap and water, dabbed a little hydrogen peroxide on it (to dry it out), and a little later started putting Neosporin on the open wound. I also put one of those elizibathian collars on so he couldn't get to it to habitually lick.
This morning the open wound looked better...pretty much closed up. But the area around it was still swollen and irritated. Plus there was a bump on the side of the anus that looked like an abcess. I called the vet to get him in and they are booked solid today, but they told me that if anyone cancelled they would let me know.
About 2 hours later, I took another look at the bobo area and that bump (abcess) had grown bigger. Yikes! Didn't like the sight of that. So, I called the vet back and they just so happened to have a surgical cancellation, and asked me to come in.
The vet looked at it and said....Yep Abcessed anal gland. He expressed it and said that after the infection goes away (check it after 3 weeks of antibiotic), then he'll remove it. And, should likely remove the other one as well.
So, Buddy is on Simplicef 200MG for 3 weeks. We'll take him back for a recheck to see if the infection is clear and schedule surgery. Vet also gave me Tramadol 50MG to give as needed. He said although he is not in great pain...its got to be quite uncomfortable.
I'd like your opinions on the need for surgery please. Vet said some people opt not to do the surgery, but their dogs have chronic anal gland issues forever. I'll follow the advice of the vet of course...but want to hear your knowledge and experience with the condition
In all the years of having dogs...this is my first experience with anal gland issues.