Anal Discharge - Glands Are Empty, What Could This Be?

[Rickiesmom]

Late last week Jeff, who is 5 1/2, was really going after his butt. Although he hasn't had problems before, I thought maybe anal glands were the issue, and took him in. Tech expressed them, said the left side was virtually empty, right side not full and emptied with no issue. I thought we were done.

 

However, he has continued to lick his anal area and lick to either side. He has a discharge - not constant, but that seems to be what triggers the licking, and I think the "either side" thing is because it sometimes runs.

 

It looks dark on him, on an (unscented) baby wipe looks reddy-brown, and a couple of times has looked like blood to me - very light though, as if dilute.

 

He's going in to the vet first thing in the morning on Monday, but if anyone has any similar experience or ideas, I would greatly appreciate having that information going in.

 

Thank you very much!

Edited July 21, 2014 by Rickiesmom

[FiveRoooooers]

It could be an infected (vs. impacted) anal gland. Pal had to deal with that at a very late age - it took three rounds of antibiotics to clear it up.

[macoduck]

No offense to vet techs but I'd rather a vet examine and empty anal glands. I don't let groomers do it either.

 

The way your boy keeps licking sounds like an anal gland about to rupture. It happened to my Gracie. Once it burst she felt much better and was treated with an antibiotic.

 

Tessa had a bulge that wasn't quite in the right place. It wasn't a swollen anal gland. It was a hernia of the bowel at the rectum that came and went.

 

Editing to add: This photo shows where Gracie's gland ruptured. Is this where your boy is licking?

Edited July 21, 2014 by macoduck

[tbhounds]

I would have the vet re-express the glands. My guess is they weren't expressed properly and there might be an infection brewing.

[silverfish]

I wouldn't mind letting a tech express the glands, but would certainly want a vet to take a look in this case. The 'nearly empty' one could in fact be infected or simply contain stuff which isn't emptying in the proper way. If there's any trace of blood it needs attention.

Let us know how you get on!

[Rickiesmom]

Thanks everyone.

 

Vet said, as the tech had also found, left side to be empty, and right not very full. Discharge was coming from the right, vet believes there is likely infection, and has put Jeff on Clavaseptin. He did not feel any mass, so believes there is no tumour (whew!).

 

We have a recheck on Thursday.

[greytpups]

Hope Jeff recovers from this quickly and it really is just an infection that will clear up soon.

[Guest greytone]

I too have to clean my girl's backend with a baby wipe. Or else she might get an infection.

[bradymom]

Off and on Brady has had problems with his annal glands.

 

This past fall he developed an infection in the right gland and we had to do 2 rounds of antibiotics. After the round of anibiotics, my vet could not believe I was back with the same problem, so the second antibiotic was a broader spectem one and he been fine since.

 

I am glad no masses were felt and that the antibotics clear everything up.

 

Debbie