Stinky Little Rump
-
I have used the same vet Vanessa uses for years. When my last B (Max) was about 8, his glands stopped working normally. They were also oddly positioned, which may have had something to do with it. Instead of the risk of surgery, I ended up taking him in every two weeks for about 7 years and had them expressed. Max had to be put on antibiotics a few times over the years; but for the most part, the two week expressions kept infection away. I recently adopted two basenjis, and the female had an impacted gland and then her glands kept filling up. She is on antibiotics right now, and we haven't had a problem with her glands. I'm hoping they will get back to normal. She is only 3, and I would hate to have to take her in every two weeks for the rest of her life! I would also hate to take the risk of surgery….it's a somewhat difficult surgery--for both the vet to get it perfect so there are no problems after and the dog (especially the recuperation). It's interesting--every basenji my vet has treated has had some problems with anal glands.
-
I would have to think that maybe you need to add more fiber in the diet? Or have you tried that? And that is interesting the your basenjis have had problems woth anl glands… What are you feeding and have you always fed that?
Max also had inflammatory bowel disease which may have contributed to the anal gland problem. He was on Eukanuba Low Residue which helped the IFB. I did try adding fiber (pumpkin and metamucil–not together), but it didn't help and sometimes seemed to make the IFB worse. I have kept Zoey and Tyler on the same food they were on the past two years at the Basenji Rescue in Southern CA--Natural Choice Lamb and Rice dry with a little
Nature's Recipie Lamb and Rice canned. I started adding fiber a couple of weeks ago to see if that will help. I haven't had a problem with Tyler's glands. -
And hopefully just that one time with Zoey will be it…. and she will not have more problems...
That's what I am hoping, too :)
