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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Vet was a tad unsure; any thoughts? Warning. Photos.

26 replies

mckenzie · 27/10/2019 09:56

We notice a lump on his tail a good few weeks ago. It wasn’t bothering him at all. Vet had seen it and agreed that this breed can get them (he has one on his shoulder that comes and goes and has never bothered him) and to keep an eye on it.
Fast forward to yesterday morning and the dog was pretty much chewing his tail constantly.
The first two photos are yesterday lunchtime, before the visit to the vet.
He gave Rimadyl injection and Synulox and prescribed 5 days course of anti biotics and Isaderm cream 3 times a day.

I’ve put the poor dog in a buster collar.

The third photo is this morning, after DD had applied the cream.
Any thoughts?
Has it burst?
TIA

OP posts:
Original poster
mckenzie · 27/10/2019 11:27

He’s going mad now. Can’t sit still at all, running round in circles. It must be either itching like mad or sore. I don’t know what to do.

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Original poster
mckenzie · 27/10/2019 14:59

Bump please

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Bodear · 27/10/2019 15:02

Aw OP I’m not sure but didn’t want to read and run.
Did the vet say what he thought it was? I think if I was you I’d call the vet and ask for
More advice/ a follow up visit.

Original poster
mckenzie · 27/10/2019 15:19

Than’ you Bodear. He thought infected sebaceous gland.
I’m definitely going to call them tomorrow. Today is just going to have to be a 100% cuddles with the dog day as that’s the only thing keeping him calm.
Dinner/laundry/housework can all wait. I might even try putting his thunder jacket on. Holding him very tightly seems to be the best thing for him and he has even fallen asleep for an hour like that.
But then suddenly he’s up and running around in circles, bashing into everything with his collar and unable to stand still.
It’s breaking my heart.

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StormBaby · 27/10/2019 15:23

Dogs do have a gland there yes. It could also be blocked analglands, but this is the only bit the dog can get to when licking. This area shouldve been clipped and cleaned whilst in the vets or it will never clear up!

Bodear · 27/10/2019 15:58

It’s odd that he would seem more unsettled with treatment. Antibiotics usually take effect quite quickly I think (not medically trained!!).

I think your plan of cuddles/ focussing on DD for the day is an excellent one. Is he drinking/ eating ok?

Original poster
mckenzie · 27/10/2019 16:18

thanks for the replies.

Stormbaby - anal glands were removed about 3 years ago. The vet tried clipping the area but I think his clippers were blunt/dirty.

My friend is a groomer - do you think it's worth asking if she could clip some more hair away now?

He ate breakfast with me hand feeding him kibble as he cant get to his bowl because of the collar. Likewise water. Every hour I'm taking the bowl to him and holding it up off the floor and so far he has drunk each time. He flipping well better not get used to this though Smile

Tonight I'll leave a water bowl lifted up by putting it on an upended bowl (we forgot last night Blush )

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BurnerPhone · 27/10/2019 16:28

Very similar thing happened to my dog last year, she chewed the lump so much in one day it burst (oh the smell) had to take her to the emergency vets on a Sunday to have it operated on to clean it up and packed with gauze...think she had the packing changed twice before it healed enough the close up the wound. Cost a FORTUNE! has your dog got some metacam to help with pain? I'd definitely take them back to vets tomorrow If he's still biting

Original poster
mckenzie · 27/10/2019 17:14

Sorry to hear about your dog Burnerphone.
Our dog is wearing the cone collar thing so can’t get to it thankfully.

I haven’t noticed any smell and I’m waiting now for DH to get home so that he can hold the dog firmly while I clean the wound and tr some more hair away. We’ve had a massive grooming session this afternoon while cuddling and he’s much calmer now,
(Note to self! Brush dog more regularly and remove collar at bed time Hmm

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IShitGlitter · 27/10/2019 17:18

Did the vet give any pain relief? Poor baby nothing worse than seeing them uncomfortable.

Original poster
mckenzie · 27/10/2019 17:56

No pain relief given and because I didn’t think he was in pain per se, just itching, I didn’t ask for it Sad

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Patchworksack · 27/10/2019 18:03

Vet here - rimadyl is pain relief (carprofen, a NSAID) but the injection only lasts 24 hrs.
It looks like a cyst that has burst. If you can trim the hair with scissors so it can't stick that will help, and bathe in salt water (1 teaspn salt, 1 pint water)
Back to your vet tomorrow if he is still miserable.

Original poster
mckenzie · 27/10/2019 18:30

Thank you so much PTchworksack.

DH will be home from work shortly and he can hug the dog tightly while I clean and trim and bathe (tried with DD but she’s not big enough/strong enough).
He’s eaten his dinner ok but still just not leaving my side.
Fireworks have started now too which won’t help. I need to tweak his temporary den so that he can get in there with the cone on.

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Original poster
mckenzie · 27/10/2019 20:06

I’ve trimmed the area and bathed it. Poor dog went loopy.
This is how it looks now.

Vet was a tad unsure; any thoughts? Warning. Photos.
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twinnywinny14 · 27/10/2019 20:12

Bless him, looks very painful. I’ve had a sebaceous cyst which got infected and it was unbelievably painful even when sitting still. Definitely needs a return visit to the vet tomorrow and may need stronger or different antibiotic

StormBaby · 27/10/2019 20:34

Looks so much better with all the hair gone, it needs the air on it. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day for him

clolo · 27/10/2019 20:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
mckenzie · 27/10/2019 21:37

Thank you all for your support and advise.
Fingers crossed he has a peaceful night.
He hadn’t done a wee since about 12 noon; how long can dogs hold it in for?

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Original poster
mckenzie · 27/10/2019 21:47

Advice even Blush

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Bodear · 28/10/2019 08:51

I think that might be a sign he’s a bit dehydrated? How is he today?

Original poster
mckenzie · 28/10/2019 12:37

Today's vet is pretty sure it is a sebaceous gland (as the lump had been there for a while) and so fingers crossed it will heal ok.
She thought it looked ok this morning (whereas I thought it looked scarily awful Blush).
She's given him some Rimadyl tablets (half tablet twice a day) and told me to leave the steroid cream and just clean it with saline water.
We are going back on Friday.

The vet was surprised at the dog's reaction to her cleaning the wound; in the nicest way possible she said that he was a wimp. Could that be the case or could it mean something more sinister?

She also pointed out that the rim of the buster collar could be touching the sore when he turns his head towards it so I'm going to get some thick lint and put all around the edge of the collar. Good idea do you think? Or is there something better that I can use?

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Bodear · 28/10/2019 13:45

Not sure about alternatives to the collar tbh. Maybe a different size one? I’d see how he reacts with the pain killers. Is he usually a bit of a wimp? Ours was. Huge dog but scared of all sorts. Still adored him.

BurnerPhone · 28/10/2019 13:46

Aw bless him, hope the painkillers help a bit. I'm sure the vet would have said if it was more sinister, dog probably just had a hard few days and feeling delicate for the examination. Mine did a poo on the floor last time at the vets and then the vet stood in it so it could of been worse. Some soft foam round the edge of the cone sounds like a good idea or you can get fabric cones but I don't know if it would be enough to stop him getting at it

BeesKnees4 · 28/10/2019 13:49

Get an inflatable buster collar, much easier for you to manage him.

Original poster
mckenzie · 28/10/2019 16:27

Thanks for the comments.
I got an inflatable collar but it’s too big Hmm
The dog dyes t seem to mind the buster collar; let’s me put it on and off quite happily. When I’m home and he’s got all my attention I take it off.
I’ve just got home having been out for an hour shopping and he is glued to my legs now.
The wound is looking much better already and as soon as DH is home I’ll clean it again.
I’m also touching other parts of his tail to try and desensitise him (is that the correct phrase?).

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