At a loss with "itchy"? dog and no firm diagnosis

[Sweatilicious]

This is a massively long story going back a year. I have a 2 year old border terrier with digestion issues - he was provisionally diagnosed with IBD when the vomiting and pooping bloody mucus first occurred at 11 months old, and was transitioned to a hydrolysed soya diet when he appeared to react violently to all meat proteins. He's had fecal tests (3 infections, all cleared with treatment), blood tests (high folates and low vit B, seemingly resolved since) - it took 6 months to settle him on a meat-free diet and get some weight on him, then we tried to challenge him with other proteins again and he vomited everything out within 12 hours of trialling it. So we stick to 100% meat free food and treats, and he no longer vomits daily or has diarrhoea.

In July and October) he had flare ups due to stress which caused rapid weight loss followed by an anal gland issue - we managed to get weight back on him, but he started scooting. Since July he's had his anal glands emptied 6 or 7 times - but the last few times the vet has remarked that there wasn't much in there, and they're not full, impacted or infected - just very enlarged and blocking his little bum by a third.

He's started an odd behavioural habit of anxiously sniffing every surface then sniffing round at himself, and he's often quiet and distracted - not the happy, bouncy daft dog he's always been. He scoots, snatches at his tail and hind legs, and paws at his face. He's sometimes reluctant to go for a walk. He shows no discomfort or straining when pooping though, all that is normal.

The vet knows all of the above and has given him 3 lots of steroids since October, but he's fine for 24 hrs and back to his old self, before he reverts to itching/scooting/being afraid of his back end and absently sniffing again before the course is even finished.

He has no visible skin irritation, he doesn't have fleas or worms (all regularly treated/prevented). He has another follow up on Friday and I'd like to go in with some differentials!

Any ideas? If the steroids aren't helping then presumably it's not an allergy/inflammation problem?

Poor boy. One of my old dogs had their anal glands removed but I'm not sure if that would provide a solution? Might be worth asking if they are permanently causing him problems :(. But this was a v long time ago so not sure if it's something even done today.

I think they do Happy, but it's a last resort I believe - quite a few risks attached!

If it's definitely his anal glands causing the problem we'd certainly consider it. But we don't even have a definitive diagnosis of IBD, not without biopsies - but as its manageable with a careful no-meat diet, biopsies would be more invasive than necessary.

I work in dog behavour and see so many poor dogs suffering from anal gland issues. Apparently any anal gland "disfunction" is extremely painful for dogs. I see dogs extreme behaviour that is purely down to the anal glands and when they are recovered they are super lovely calm dogs but when unwell can become very distressed and even agressive dogs.

I am no medic so do speak to your vet - maybe antibiotics are needed to clear any lurking infection if the glands had become impacted. I would discuss removal and pros and cons in your individual case. Dogs with ID issues can have issues with anal glands

There are issues with removal and your vet will need to discuss this with you (dont hesitate to ask for their experience in this op and ask for specialist referral).

Wonder if @Lonecatwithkitten is around to give advice?

Not seeing your dog in rl but I would think once his discomfort is removed he will revert back to the happy go lucky dog he was.

What was the stress that caused him his flare ups?

I have had a dog on a hydrolzed diet and nothing else. It transformed him and got him back to health again. He could not ever eat anything else but lived to 16 so he did well on it.

I dont think I have really added anything helpful but sending positive vibes that this can be sorted

Thanks Polly. Yes, my poor boy...we're so lucky with him, we had 12 years with a very difficult and aggressive dog but this little guy is so sweet and friendly, he's perfect and we adore him. I don't want him to feel uncomfortable all the time.

We go away campervanning a lot in all seasons, and although he enjoys the new sights and smells (and making new pals) he can get a little unsettled, understandably. He eats fairly well but if we're away for more than a few days his appetite begins to wane, and he usually starts a flare up either on our last day or when we get home! So both episodes were after a week away in the camper.