Skip to content
Basenji Forums
  1. Home
  2. Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  3. Basenji Anal Gland

Basenji Anal Gland

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • V

    Poor Dallas has a very swollen anus. I noticed it was very large when I visited him twice at the shelter before adoption. On the way home from the shelter, Dallas was crying and licking his behind. I stopped and took him for a long walk. He strained and strained to pooh and release the fluids.

    Dallas was also neutered yesterday.

    My guess is knowing how clean Basenjis are that Dallas did not pooh in his cage/crate at the shelter. Every time I visited him, he'd pooh enough for four dogs! Could not going regularly have caused this condition?

    Dallas will see the vet on Monday. In the meantime, I want him comfortable.

    I cooked fresh pumpkin this week and gave him about 1/8th of a cup in his food. Also, I washed his butt with warm water and ACV.

    What do y'all think?

    0
  • BasenjimammaB

    I think that you did good. I know that you can express the glands on your own, I just don't know how to do it..maybe somebody will come on and help you, if not the vet will, of course. Meanwhile, the warm water ACV compresses will make his buttocks feel better.

    He is probably very sore form the neuter as well, and I know my two dogs in the past, they starined the first day or two,maybe even three, so it could be a combination of both..

    Petra and Pippin

    with Otis in my heart…

    0
  • V

    @Basenjimamma:

    I think that you did good. I know that you can express the glands on your own, I just don't know how to do it..maybe somebody will come on and help you, if not the vet will, of course. Meanwhile, the warm water ACV compresses will make his buttocks feel better.

    He is probably very sore form the neuter as well, and I know my two dogs in the past, they starined the first day or two,maybe even three, so it could be a combination of both..

    Good to know that straining is common. He is fiesty today - but marking his territory. How long does that go on? Grrrr.

    0
  • AJs HumanA

    AJ still marks every once in a while. Not very often, though, because I don't give him enough time. He knows when we stop to pee, he better "git-er-done" or he'll have to hold it a while longer. I'm not sure if the habit ever completely goes away after they've been doing it a while. I hope he's not doing it in the house!:eek:

    AJ's Ride:

    0
  • N

    My herding dog/terrier mix still marks a lot. (in and out of the house) He was neutered at about 18 mos, I know it was done right because I was a tech at the vet clinic that did it. Watched it done. He still marks, still mounts, and still chatters, clicks and foams if he gets near a bitch a heat. He's a bit over 9 now. I think how much effect neutering will have on behavior is very dependent on the individual dog.

    This same dog had severe anal gland problems. They would get impacted and infected. After several infections, we finally had them removed, but he still occasionally scoots, the vet can't find anything. I think he just got used to it.

    My mom's current dog needs her anal glands emptied about once a month, but has never had them get impacted and infected like Petey's got.

    EDIT: I think you did well with the ACV and pumpkin. Once he is on good food and his stool is more solid, he wil probably be able to empty the anal glands himself.

    This pic on wikipedia, WARNING, GRAPHIC: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Anal_gland_abscess.JPG shows a pretty severe anal gland abscess, but that is similar to what Petey's would look like, placement WRT the anus is about the same, but his glands were much smaller, and usually would get infected on both sides. My mom would say that they looked like giant blueberries. Made it hard for me to eat blueberries for many years.

    0
  • AJs HumanA

    Maybe he still scoots because sometimes it just feels good to scratch his bottom?

    AJ's Ride:

    0
  • nobarkusN

    Usually scooting means the anal glands are bothering them/are full. If the poop is too loose it won't push against the glands to express them so the fluid can build up. The pumpkin will help. Some pet stores that have grooming will express the glands for you cheaply. Right now as a matter of fact Buddy's anal glands are quiet smelly. It happens once in a while. He's not scooting or anything.

    Buddy, Paolo and Dan

    0
  • V

    @AJs:

    Maybe he still scoots because sometimes it just feels good to scratch his bottom?

    :D Best laugh I've had all day.

    Dallas is better today - now if he will stop humping all the dogs and marking his territory, I'd be happy. He is a rough tough little character. I've yet to feel his body relax or see him look for a comfortable spot. Dallas does not know doggy luxury. Poor babe.

    Thanks for the info, Nicole. It is always good to know what to expect. I'm not use to male dogs.

    0
  • AJs HumanA

    Mr. Nobarkus, are you saying you don't like a good fanny scratch every now and then? :D

    Or is that subject material for a different forum?

    AJ's Ride:

    0
  • nobarkusN

    @AJs:

    Mr. Nobarkus, are you saying you don't like a good fanny scratch every now and then? :D

    Or is that subject material for a different forum?

    Correct, Nobarkus' scooting problem is a different thread thank you.:D

    Buddy, Paolo and Dan

    0

Suggested Topics

  • KayGK

    Food recommendations for anal gland issues

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    16
    0 Votes
    16 Posts
    3k Views
    ZandeZ
    @kayg said in Food recommendations for anal gland issues: I’m going to eliminate lunch starting today and see how he does. I forgot to stress, when you eliminate lunch, don't just spread the same amount of food over two meals instead of three. Cut back. I need to weigh Mku who will be 6 months old on Friday, but I am sure he is nowhere near 20 lbs. He is sleek and svelte and a perfect weight at the moment for his age. Lovely shape LOL. And at risk of becoming boring, I say again, no actual treats do mine get. I measure the daily amount of kibble each morning into a container and from that container I take some with us on walks (to encourage recall) and I dip into it as a reward for particular good behaviour. Hoover and Mku think they are getting a treat, but it is not 'extra' - it comes out of their daily ration ! And I agree with DonC - what exactly started you worrying about his stools ?
  • M

    anal glands issue!

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    2
    0 Votes
    2 Posts
    2k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    Okay... nothing wrong with her died or getting your food. You can keep her as she is, just add in fiber. And perhaps stool softeners for a bit. I actually gave my basenji liquid dissolvable fiber regularly because she would refuse to potty if it rained and ended up with anal gland rupture. But you can add in green beans, ground carrots or other veggies, even fibrous treats. However, I can't say enough negative about rawhide. Please throw them away. Although it has been almost 35 years, I am still distressed when I remember watching a dog choke to death on one, with 4 adults trying to hold the dog down to get it out of its mouth, the kennel owner getting chewed up horribly in the process, the terrible death. Saved from old post: Pet Health Info FROM: Seaside Animal Care was recently awarded the 1999 National Practice of Excellence Award (click here for details) from Veterinary Medical Publishing and an educational grant from Pfizer. We are one of just over 50 practices ever to receive this honor! WE DO NOT RECOMMEND GIVING YOUR PETS RAWHIDE CHEWS. They expand when wet and are the number one cause of intestinal obstruction at our hospital. They are poorly effective at "cleaning the teeth". Instead, we recommend chew-safe toys such as Nylabone® and Kong® products. Contact the hospital for additional information when selecting safe chew-toys for your loved one.<< While I find it LUDICROUS that they first state they are harmless then say they have seen it ALL, this does indeed support that they are not uncommon as you indicate: 2. From the AAHA: American Animal Hospital Association Miscellaneous Pet Care: Are raw hide chews safe? Answer Rawhide chews are pretty harmless. The problems come when they swallow them whole. They either choke on them, or the rawhide balls up in the stomach and causes gastritis or blockage. We've seen it all. Moderation is the key. One every once in a while is OK, but they shouldn't be included as a regular toy or part of the diet. In addition it's usually best to supervise or at least be nearby when your pet is chewing on any toy. << Diet - Treats and Snacks It is interesting to me that a number of veterinarians I have spoken with do say that they have seen problems associated with these toys. Their experience differs from mine. I practice in a rural area and sometimes I think that I just don't have enough patients to see all the problems that vets who practice in more crowded areas do. << OMG, they sell it yet their vets admit it is dangerous!!! Acme Pet - Pet Health Questions Ask Acme Pet'sExperts Q. I have a one year old mix JRT, she is a great dog. But the problem I have with her is that, whenever I give her a chewy like those basted sticks. I have to watch her because she will make it all soft, not bite a piece and eat it. She makes it soft and swallows half while she is still chewing the other end. She has almost choked on me twice. This happens with the square chewees too. A. I would suggest you not give them to her anymore. Many dogs die of intestinal obstruction each year due to rawhide. Find something else, which is safer, to give her.<< petcare Okay, this is a petstore, not a vet but thought their concern worth noting! In addition, we don't carry rawhide chews in order to assure the safest play experience for your pet. Rawhide chews, when gobbled or eaten in large quantities, can cause choking or possible obstruction in dogs. << vet@dog - Holidays - Chocolate and other dangerous goodies FROM: Dr. Lucy L. Pinkston, D.V.M. Rawhide chews can lodge in the throat and cause choking, or a large piece may be swallowed, scraping and irritating the throat and esophagus on the way down. Once in the stomach or intestinal tract, a large piece of rawhide can also create a physical obstruction. An additional danger that is less widely known is the practice, in some countries, of using an arsenic-based preservative in the processing of rawhide toys. We recommend that, if you do purchase these products, stick to brands processed in the U.S. There has also been a recent FDA alert about the risk of Salmonella associated with dog chew products made from pork or beef-derived materials: refer to the FDA advisory or call 1-888-INFO-FDA. See below (discussion on pigs' ears) for more details.<< I could go on, but the bottom line is, if it is SOMETIMES, even rarely, dangerous, and it isn't NECESSARY, why do it?
  • R

    Sick Basenji :(

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    5k Views
    P
    I too am sorry for not seeing this thread sooner and hopefully the poster will return. My Basenji had some teeth removed and the vet prescribed Carprofen as the follow up antibiotic. My Basenji turned out to be allergic to Carprofen which caused her liver to fail. I went through the same scenario you are describing. She gradually quit eating over the course of several days and then her water consumption started to go down. The eating had me worried since she had an excellent appetite upon return from the vet and the final purging of the anesthesia from her system. Nevertheless, her condition started to degrade. I followed her outside and watched her urinate. Her urine was a very bright yellow. I suspected then a liver issue. Once back inside she was shivering - off to the vet we went. LIver panel blood work up showed very high on specific indicators for failing liver. Vet prescribed Denamarin (containing SAM-e and silybin). SAM-e helps protect liver cells from cell death and aids in cell repair and regeneration. The Vet also started fluid injections. Fluid injections were everyday for two weeks. My Basenji showed a remarkable response to the fluid injections becoming much more her normal self even after the first day. She hated the injections and I could hear her cry when receiving them at the vet (believe me that will tear you up). But she was doing better and she (me) were going to have to tuff this out. Also a different antibiotic was prescribed to prevent liver infection during recovery. The Denamarin comes in dosages based on weight (medium for us). It is the size of a large human like solid oblong vitamin pill. Instructions want you to give it on an empty stomach and preferably not to cut it or place in something similar to a pill pocket however you can if necessary. My Basenji would not take that size (can't blame her). Cutting and disguising it did not work either. I was frantic and got the SAM-e in powder form. I couldn't slip her that either. All though some folks had success with peanut butter and liverwurst. I finally after three days had to have the vet pill her along with her fluid treatments. A week later another blood sample and her liver panel indicators were coming down. The pilling would last for a month and it took two people to get the pill down her. The important part is - she fully recovered from the liver failure. She is 13 1/2 yrs old. My experience after having 5 Basenjis is that the breed is sensitive to medications (anesthesia also). Many of the medications work just fine in most other breeds and mixes. The vet, if not that experienced with the Basenji, must be cautioned. Mine was not. Before accepting any medication have the vet go over any contraindications with you and to double check their resources for potential side effects when dealing with Basenjis. They may switch to something else if a medication has a bad track history with Basenjis. Know what to watch for should your Basenji start to react in a non-positive manner. The poster did not indicate if there were medications in play when the dog started showing degenerating conditions. I sincerely hopes this helps in some way and helps other Basenji owners
  • B

    Anal Glands, twice a week?

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    4
    0 Votes
    4 Posts
    1k Views
    D
    It could be the type of food you are feeding. What food do you feed? You should not have to express them that often. Leaking anal glands are not good. My older female had her anal glands removed a few months ago because of problems, infections that would not clear up and leaking. Jennifer
  • luzmery928L

    Anal glands -vs- diet

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    16
    0 Votes
    16 Posts
    5k Views
    luzmery928L
    oh no they only have it for walks. You kiding me they hate having them on even for a second more. I just don't like when they choke on the collar. I know it's not good that they are not leash trained but unfortunantly I take them out fot their walks for excercise and even then I'm rushing in the am beofre work so I really don't have the time to train them. Although when we do walk and they pull to hard and do pull them back and make them wait for a few seconds and continue the walk.
  • wrx227wrcW

    Anal Gland Issues and Diet

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    36
    0 Votes
    36 Posts
    16k Views
    wrx227wrcW
    We have also used fish oil (1/2 gel cap 2x/wk) and flax seed oil in the same dosing. I don't know if it has made a difference with the anal issue but it sure helps her coat and skin! Totally worth the money and effort.