Abscesed Anal Gland

[New NJ Mom]

I took Jazzy to the vet last night for her monthly BG test and asked them to look at a small sore on her butt. (I noticed it Tues night and took her in on Thur). I thought maybe she had road burn since when she decides to stop training she will sit on the ground and refuse to budge.

To my surprise my vet said she had an abscessed (sp) anal gland and it was serious. I feel terrible now. Were there any symptoms I missed. She never scooted, scratched or licked her butt and there was no odor, symptoms I normally associate with anal gland problems.

[spidey]

Some dogs are more stoic than others, perhaps she never did anything unusual enough for you to notice, sometimes that happens. Don't beat yourself up - at least you got her to the vet and are getting it treated. My Siamese cat had an abcessed anal gland, and we only noticed it when one day she had a big hard red lump on her bum, and my sister and I were both working in vet clinics at the time, so don't feel badly, this can happen to anyone.

In future, you may want to get the vet or tech or groomer to teach you how to empty the anal glands, and make a point of doing it once a month or so. Either that, or see if you can set up an appointment to come in once a month to have them checked (usually if you're doing it regularly, they'll give you a discount). In some dogs, this is an indication that they don't empty their glands properly, and you want to avoid this happening again. Perhaps also discuss with your vet adding fibre like pumpkin to Jazzy's diet.

Hope Jazzy's feeling better soon. :)

[unyverse2000]

will giving pumpkin once a month do the trick?

[spidey]

will giving pumpkin once a month do the trick?

No way. Just as with humans, for fibre to be effective, it has to be given every day.