Urismom Posted July 22, 2009 Share Posted July 22, 2009 (edited) I rescued Uri in December when he was 4. His back end was very fluffy and furry. In the last month or so (summer in CT) I noticed he started shedding a lot all over, and his tush got bare like many other greys that I've seen. I gather that shedding is normal when preparing for summer, and I didn't consider a bare butt a problem because so many of them are. I came home today to find two raw and slightly bloody spots on his high tush. There is one on each side, just below the base of his tail, maybe two inches out from the tail. They are symmetrical on either side of his tail. I wouldn't say they are gashes or anything deep -- just a raw patch that was obviously irritated or chewed at enough to bleed, although not profusely. They are spots that still have some fur around, but it's sparse. It's not as bare as a bit further south, but barer than it used to be. I both spots with soap and water. It did not seem to bother him while I tended to them, nor have I seen him nibbling the area since I got home a few hours ago. My boyfriend was home with him all day and did not notice Uri paying any abnormal attention to his tush, although he does think he saw him biting something down there early in the morning - not in an unusual way. It may be possible that, in a playful moment, he scraped his butt against some furniture, but it seems unlikely that it would result in two equal spots. [edited] He has not been scooting at all. Has anyone elses' gray had bloody irritation result from the thin, bare skin on the backside? Or is this highly unusual? I am very panicky since I am a relatively new dog mom and wondering at what point I should take him to the vet, or if I should give it a few days to see if something heals on its own. Do you know of any good ways to discourage him from investigating and further irritating his rear? I will put his muzzle on, but he is still able to nibble a bit through that. Thank you! Edited July 22, 2009 by Urismom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sheila Posted July 22, 2009 Share Posted July 22, 2009 sounds like it could be an anal gland issue. There are some little sacs just inside the bum that sometimes get filled with fluid and some dogs need them to be expressed manually. Here is one VERY descriptive website that may help you decide what to do. If you think it IS anal sacs and are not experienced with them I would have a vet check Uri out before attempting to do this yourself. http://marvistavet.com/html/anal_sacs.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urismom Posted July 22, 2009 Author Share Posted July 22, 2009 Thank you for that suggestion. My childhood dog had anal sac problems and had to have removal surgery. :-( It would make sense because they are symetrical areas of irritation on both sides.....but the spots that are bloodied seem to be almost 2 inches away from the anus, so I'm not sure that's it. He also has not been "scooting" on the ground (do greyhounds scoot?). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MyBoys Posted July 22, 2009 Share Posted July 22, 2009 It does sound like it could be an anal gland issue, especially if he is scooting and trying to drag his bum. I would get it checked out with your vet, Uri will feel better and you will put your mind to ease. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kydie Posted July 22, 2009 Share Posted July 22, 2009 Scooting, anual glands! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urismom Posted July 22, 2009 Author Share Posted July 22, 2009 Sorry if my post was not clear - he has not been scooting, which is why I was thinking maybe it wasn't anal sacs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kydie Posted July 22, 2009 Share Posted July 22, 2009 If you take him to his vet, you will feel better, I still think it could be anual glands, sometimes they need expressed, doesn't mean he will have a problem all the time, each time I go to the vet I have him express their anual glands, no matter what the visit is for, this is the first thing I would look for, you know the old saying "when you hear the sound of hooves, look for hoarses not zebras" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KennelMom Posted July 22, 2009 Share Posted July 22, 2009 Anal glands sound like a good guess. Greyhounds don't always scoot b/c a lot of them don't really do a lot of sitting to begin with. Biting and licking is more common - which can lead to irriated spots. Can't hurt to have the vet take a look-see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaliforniaGreys Posted July 22, 2009 Share Posted July 22, 2009 No experience here with anal glands, but would that be a possibility with the sores that far away? Quote Missing my little Misty who took a huge piece of my heart with her on 5/2/09, and Ekko, on 6/28/12 For the sick, the lost, and the homeless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest DoofBert Posted July 22, 2009 Share Posted July 22, 2009 (edited) My bridge angel Sir D had a bout with infected anal glans and he did not scoot... treated with warm compresses on the area (two to three times daily) and some antibiotics.. He was good as new in no time. (Yes, i did the warm compresses!) And, we only had the problem once! Easy enough to have the vet check for them. Good luck. Edited July 22, 2009 by DoofBert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sheila Posted July 22, 2009 Share Posted July 22, 2009 Sorry if my post was not clear - he has not been scooting, which is why I was thinking maybe it wasn't anal sacs. your post was clear. unfortunately some folks just read the title and/or the first sentence and hit reply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Energy11 Posted July 22, 2009 Share Posted July 22, 2009 Sounds like anal glands to me... good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sja5032 Posted July 23, 2009 Share Posted July 23, 2009 Is there a possibility that he has fleas?? It could be a coincidence that they are symmetrical spots, when my GSD x got bit by a flea (never had fleas just bit by one), he itched off his entire backside pretty much. Another option is some sort of allergy to something airborne (due to appearance in summer), or a food allergy. Anal glands would be they first guess though like everyone else said. I would have they vet do a check of the anal glands and for any sort of flea problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KiKi_Girl Posted July 23, 2009 Share Posted July 23, 2009 In your original post you said you came home and found the spots. The skin is so thin back there it would only take one good scoot...I bet he did it while you were gone. My guess is his glands as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.