Recurrent Anal Gland infections

Epi4Dogs Foundation Inc.’s mission is the advancement of science and education relating to EPI (Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency), yielding useful insights and positive outcomes in better managing EPI in dogs and cats. Our goals are to support and/or collaborate with veterinary EPI research and researchers, and to promote EPI awareness by educating the general public, pet owners, pet organizations, rescue and shelter organizations, veterinary schools and veterinarians.
cjjames
Member
Posts: 27
Country: United States
State: Florida
Pet name: Jade
My name: Christin

Recurrent Anal Gland infections

Post by cjjames » 03 Sep 2021, 17:36

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to know if anyone's dogs get recurring anal gland infections? My dog had full anal glands a few times as a puppy, however she's got one side infected in early June which was treated with antibiotics and seemed to go away. And slowly it came back...

A few days back they got expressed again and the tech said the glands were full but one side was so sensitive so wouldn't let them touch it and that there seemed to be a mass or something within it, like a polyp?? Its only been a few days since the anal gland expression and she's back to licking the are nonstop and having horrible breath.

I'm not sure if this is due to her EPI issue so wanted to know if anyone else's dog experienced this. She was diagnosed with EPI a year and half ago, had extremely loose stools but over time her stools improved and are 85% solid now. Because they're still not 100% I was thinking it could be due to the liquid from the wetness of the stools not fully draining and causing issues.

I'm going to take her back to get her checked out on Tuesday but I know they'll likely give antiboitics again which I'm not a fan of using. The last round had her sneezing throughout the day and only after giving her probiotics did the sneezing stop. If anyone also knows any Natural** antimicrobials / antibiotics that can be given for dogs, I'd love to know!! Just don't want her immune system ruined.

If anyone's dealt with anything similar I'd love to hear any suggestions!

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Jean
Forum Director
Posts: 1707
Location: South Liverpool
Country: United Kingdom - England
Pet name: Kara, lost 10th May 2019
My name: Jean

Re: Recurrent Anal Gland infections

Post by Jean » 04 Sep 2021, 03:45

Good morning from the UK

All my GSD's had anal gland issues, and eventually had to have them removed surgically as it was causing so much discomfort and recurrent almost monthly visits to the vet

I am not sure its to do with EPI per se, but it is a pain literally, My vet said that it is because of Gastro issues and partly loose stools, I remember my vet suggesting Glandex powder which you can get in the uk on Amazon, probably over there too, it worked a bit for us but not great, but it might be worth a try, we also used vaseline to rub round the anus to help , as it must be itchy , Sudacrem helped too round the same area, I think you use it for diaper rash, or something similar, again from pharmacy

EPI dogs immune system is compromised and they tend to get allergies more easily than other animals

what antibiotics is the vet giving to make her sneeze? sounds like she could be intolerant to it

remind us what you are feeding and enzymes etc are there any tummy noises


Jean
My name is Jean we live in Liverpool in Uk

I am the Forum Director which I am very proud of

My Kara born 21 July 2009 diagnosed with EPI by cTLI test August 2010 TLI = <1...folate 14 Cobalamin 408, shot down to 94, b12 injections every other day

Lowest weight 39 pounds

We used Panzym enzymes, Tylan and Chemeyes b12 capsules

Sadly, on 10th May 2019, we lost her to DM


Jeanx

Tuckaboo Pam
Member
Posts: 1345
Country: United States
State: Florida
Pet name: Tucker
My name: Pam H.

Re: Recurrent Anal Gland infections

Post by Tuckaboo Pam » 04 Sep 2021, 07:52

Christin---

I don't know if this will be helpful, but when Tucker started licking & scooting my vet had me give him a couple tablespoons of pumpkin at meal time, and after a few days it seemed to help.

I also got some Preparation H wipes, to help with the itching/pain, and he gets relief from being cleaned with one.

---Pam
Tucker was a shepherd/lab mix--- TLI 1.3, Folate 9.7, Cobalamin 666, Lipase 38. Took Diane's Enzymes 4 teaspoons/day, Wonderlabs B12 one capsule per day, and Tylan 1/16 teaspoon/ morning (to hold SID at bay). Taste of the Wild High Prairie, 1 1/2 cups/day, with a total of 4 cups of Fresh Pet. Stopped eating everything in sight, and went from 60 to 85 pounds! Tucker was my boyfriend, and my husband was OK with that. Tucker succumbed to hemangiosarcoma, but we cherished every day we had with that wonderful, beautiful boy. I will always, always miss my sweet big boy.

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Michaela
Member
Posts: 148
Country: United States
State: Texas
Pet name: Nikki
My name: Michaela

Re: Recurrent Anal Gland infections

Post by Michaela » 04 Sep 2021, 08:55

Nikki had anal gland issues for years, after they became infected twice we had them removed.

I'm not aware of any natural treatment for the infection. They infused Nikki's anal glands with an antibiotic/corticosteroid ointment and it did seem to help but in the end she had to have surgery.

Hopefully you can get it under control but if you ever need to have them removed make sure you have it done by a surgeon and not your regular vet. Good luck!

https://www.msdvetmanual.com/digestive- ... s-and-cats

R.I.P. Nikki 11/21/2009 - 05/23/2023

Nikki was diagnosed with EPI in 2010
Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Low Fat canned
Slippery Elm syrup for stomach issues
1 tsp Pan-Tenex enzymes with each meal
Weekly B12 shots, pills didn't work for her
Tylan for life


"If there ever comes a day when we can't be together, keep me in your heart, I'll stay there forever."

cjjames
Member
Posts: 27
Country: United States
State: Florida
Pet name: Jade
My name: Christin

Re: Recurrent Anal Gland infections

Post by cjjames » 04 Sep 2021, 20:59

Jean wrote: 04 Sep 2021, 03:45 Good morning from the UK

All my GSD's had anal gland issues, and eventually had to have them removed surgically as it was causing so much discomfort and recurrent almost monthly visits to the vet

I am not sure its to do with EPI per se, but it is a pain literally, My vet said that it is because of Gastro issues and partly loose stools, I remember my vet suggesting Glandex powder which you can get in the uk on Amazon, probably over there too, it worked a bit for us but not great, but it might be worth a try, we also used vaseline to rub round the anus to help , as it must be itchy , Sudacrem helped too round the same area, I think you use it for diaper rash, or something similar, again from pharmacy

EPI dogs immune system is compromised and they tend to get allergies more easily than other animals

what antibiotics is the vet giving to make her sneeze? sounds like she could be intolerant to it

remind us what you are feeding and enzymes etc are there any tummy noises


Jean
Hi Jean, thanks for the suggestions I really appreciate it! I'll have to look into glandex, and it makes sense that loose stools would lead to this as there's likely liquid buildup in that area.

I lost the bottle for the antibiotic bottle and don't remember the name, it could've been metronidazole? Once the course ended I gave her probiotics and after a week or so her sneezing stopped. Antibiotics can sometimes wipe out the good bacteria in the gut of the animal and this in turn impacts the immune system (even for humans).

And Jade is eating Natural balance limited ingredient lamb and rice formula with Enzyme Diane's 6x enzymes. And no tummy noises just farts here and there lol.

How did your GSD's do after the removal of the anal glands by the way??
Last edited by cjjames on 04 Sep 2021, 21:05, edited 1 time in total.

cjjames
Member
Posts: 27
Country: United States
State: Florida
Pet name: Jade
My name: Christin

Re: Recurrent Anal Gland infections

Post by cjjames » 04 Sep 2021, 21:00

Tuckaboo Pam wrote: 04 Sep 2021, 07:52 Christin---

I don't know if this will be helpful, but when Tucker started licking & scooting my vet had me give him a couple tablespoons of pumpkin at meal time, and after a few days it seemed to help.

I also got some Preparation H wipes, to help with the itching/pain, and he gets relief from being cleaned with one.

---Pam
Hi Pam I didn't know pumpkin could help in that way, thanks for letting me know! I'll try adding in some to her meals. Appreciate your reply.

cjjames
Member
Posts: 27
Country: United States
State: Florida
Pet name: Jade
My name: Christin

Re: Recurrent Anal Gland infections

Post by cjjames » 04 Sep 2021, 21:01

Michaela wrote: 04 Sep 2021, 08:55 Nikki had anal gland issues for years, after they became infected twice we had them removed.

I'm not aware of any natural treatment for the infection. They infused Nikki's anal glands with an antibiotic/corticosteroid ointment and it did seem to help but in the end she had to have surgery.

Hopefully you can get it under control but if you ever need to have them removed make sure you have it done by a surgeon and not your regular vet. Good luck!

https://www.msdvetmanual.com/digestive- ... s-and-cats
I'll definitely make note of the surgeon if I go that route. How is your dog doing now since she's had the surgery?

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Michaela
Member
Posts: 148
Country: United States
State: Texas
Pet name: Nikki
My name: Michaela

Re: Recurrent Anal Gland infections

Post by Michaela » 05 Sep 2021, 08:07

The surgery itself is not pleasant and I would have a good pain protocol in place. I forgot what they sent Nikki home with, I think it was Tramadol and it wasn't enough. Had to take her back and they gave us Gabapentin & Rimadyl which worked.

Unfortunately Nikki ended up developing PF's but she's doing ok now. https://www.epi4dogs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=533

R.I.P. Nikki 11/21/2009 - 05/23/2023

Nikki was diagnosed with EPI in 2010
Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Low Fat canned
Slippery Elm syrup for stomach issues
1 tsp Pan-Tenex enzymes with each meal
Weekly B12 shots, pills didn't work for her
Tylan for life


"If there ever comes a day when we can't be together, keep me in your heart, I'll stay there forever."

User avatar
Jean
Forum Director
Posts: 1707
Location: South Liverpool
Country: United Kingdom - England
Pet name: Kara, lost 10th May 2019
My name: Jean

Re: Recurrent Anal Gland infections

Post by Jean » 05 Sep 2021, 08:20

Metronidazole has side effects

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/metronidazole, personally, I would keep clear of it the neurological issues can be serious

I remember Nikki having her glands removed

My two males had theirs out as it was nuts evey week at the vets, and if they get abcesses then its nasty

the food might be an issue

Lamb, Brown Rice, Lamb Meal, Brewers Rice, Rice Bran, Brewers Dried Yeast, Sunflower Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Natural Flavor, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Choline Chloride, Dl-methionine, Taurine, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, D-calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement), Minerals (Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Iron Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Sodium Selenite, Calcium Iodate), Rosemary Extract, Green Tea Extract, Spearmint Extract.

Maybe too much rice , we recommend grain free , no rice no grains less than 4% fibre lamb is a great protein my Kara could only tolerate Lamb as a protein

let us know
My name is Jean we live in Liverpool in Uk

I am the Forum Director which I am very proud of

My Kara born 21 July 2009 diagnosed with EPI by cTLI test August 2010 TLI = <1...folate 14 Cobalamin 408, shot down to 94, b12 injections every other day

Lowest weight 39 pounds

We used Panzym enzymes, Tylan and Chemeyes b12 capsules

Sadly, on 10th May 2019, we lost her to DM


Jeanx

cjjames
Member
Posts: 27
Country: United States
State: Florida
Pet name: Jade
My name: Christin

Re: Recurrent Anal Gland infections

Post by cjjames » 05 Sep 2021, 10:56

Michaela wrote: 05 Sep 2021, 08:07 The surgery itself is not pleasant and I would have a good pain protocol in place. I forgot what they sent Nikki home with, I think it was Tramadol and it wasn't enough. Had to take her back and they gave us Gabapentin & Rimadyl which worked.

Unfortunately Nikki ended up developing PF's but she's doing ok now. https://www.epi4dogs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=533
Alright, and do you think the fistulas could've developed as a result of the surgery?

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