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Scooting, Licking, Etc.

Last post 04-22-2008 10:46 AM by kalishea. 3 replies.
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  • 04-20-2008 11:05 AM

    Scooting, Licking, Etc.

    Yesterday Indy some fits where she would sit there and try to lick at her behind and try to reach each side and scoot. This happened a handful of times until I finally gave her a bath. After the bath, she has only done it one other time last night. The only other time I have seen her to this to this extent was a few weeks ago in the middle of the night when it was so bad that I was up with her trying to do anything to relieve what was bothering her until I could get her to the vet the next morning. She was due for an anal gland expression at that time and that seemed to help... but now it has only since April 1 since they were expressed and usually her glands need to be done only every 3 months~ so I could be wrong, but I can't imagine that it would be the glands again?? If it was, why would they be fill again so quickly?

    I am going to take her to the vet tomorrow, but anyone have any ideas? I have checked her stool for worms because she is litter box trained and I have easy access to it. I have checked all around her behind for external signs of something. She does seem to be having some type of allergy right now, causing her eyes to water and her to snore at night.

    She is eating, drinking, playing normally and seems happy otherwise....

    Thanks!

     

     

    • Post Points: 0
  • 04-20-2008 11:32 AM In reply to kalishea

    Re: Scooting, Licking, Etc.

    This is a bit graphic but will explain in words what your vet can explain by showing you. 

    It's the glands again and it could also be an infection (particularly by what you're describing back there). 

    Do her a favor and have the vet *show you* (a woman with smaller hands) HOW to do it internally correctly.  Smaller dogs often need their glands expressed more and more frequently - particularly as they mature. 

    If you are feeding an ultra low bulk, perhaps high protein food (one of those that advertises that your dog will have lovely *small* poops) you may be exacerbating the problem.  She may need more fiber -- pumpkin, squash, even grain, to help the poops be *large* enough to sufficiently express the anal glands when she potties. 

    The glands are inside - if you're looking at her behind like a 'clock' the glands are between 4-5 o'clock and 7-8 o'clock.  Think about a piece of bubble wrap -- with the 'bubble' (which is the gland) being on the inside.  The hole is on the top of the 'bubble' angled towards the opening. 

    With KY jelly you lubricate your finger and go below the 'bubble' (one finger in and thumb outside) and you squeeze gently up to express the gland. 

    I've had small dogs and ones with this problem truly suffer unless you do it frequently and feed to help alleviate the problem.  I've had people get all upset thinking a vet *must* do this.  But with my dogs who had problems it was a whole lot easier for *them* for me to do it in the tub with lots of time, patience, LOVE and treats and cuddles after.  My hands/fingers are smaller than most vets' and thus it's easier on the dog. 

    We all love hating the "inferior" foods that use a lot of bulk in them -- but this WAS the purpose of the bulk.  To make the fecal matter solid enough to press against this gland as it exits the body so it presses against the glad and empties it.

    I'm not criticizing what you feed (shoot, I have no clue!) but this is one of those things we aren't told, and for some reason some small dogs have a bigger problem than others.

    It's not a fun thing to do for your pet, but it's one I do out of love.  It's just another of those distasteful tasks like cleaning up their waste and messing with brushing teeth, etc. that I do because I love them.


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  • 04-20-2008 2:46 PM In reply to calliecritturs

    • BCMixs
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    Re: Scooting, Licking, Etc.

    I agree, I think her glands need expressing.  Woobie was at the point that he needed them expressed every 10 days to 2 weeks, it was terrible and a pain (for us both!).  I never did get the hang of expressing them on him.  The vet tech said his were located a little more inside than other dogs and that made it even more difficult for him or us to express.  I started adding arabinogalactan powder to his food and it's been a godsend!  Hasn't needed an expression since Christmas, he doesn't even know he has a butt anymore!  Stick out tongue

     


    30 lbs. by Christmas, down 4.2 lbs., 25.8 to go!!!
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  • 04-22-2008 10:46 AM In reply to BCMixs

    Re: Scooting, Licking, Etc.

    BCMixs:

     I started adding arabinogalactan powder to his food and it's been a godsend!  Hasn't needed an expression since Christmas, he doesn't even know he has a butt anymore!  Stick out tongue

    Where do you buy the arabinogalactan powder? How much to you add and how often? I would love to find something to help her out and reduce stress of her going to the vet.

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