Anal Glands? Something Else?

[Rosebud1302]

Hi all,

Can anyone offer any insight into this one. I have a 9.5 year old female cocker spaniel. She is neutered. About..maybe 6/7 months ago maybe she had a fairly nasty infection in both her anal glands but one worse than the other. Cleared up nicely with antibiotics over a few courses and vets were happy. However since then she has been intermittently (as in she goes through stages but when she is in a stage it's fairly intense) periods of chewing at the base of her tail. She has never done this prior to the infection. I have taken her to the vet multiple times. They have expressed the glands but say they were not full and the stuff coming out was not infected. The gland that suffered worse during the infection has some very mild scar tissue but they say nothing that should cause any issues.

She also has fairly bad luxating patellas as well as some thickening of the joints in and around her hips. She is on medication for that (lots!) For the most part you would not be able to tell she has this - she runs around happy as Larry. Yes she slows down after a longer walk but nothing concerning or life limiting at this point.

However, the vets are adamant that it is her arthritis or pain in her hips/pelvis causing the chewing of the bum. I'm just not convinced at all. I know my dog and her reaction to this pain is to spin round and do displacement signs such as yawning, lip licking, shake off when the patella luxates or if she is sore. Never chewing the base of her tail. But they are sure it's not anal gland related. I really think it must be?!

Does anyone have experience of this? Any ideas for what I can try? She is making herself sore from chewing which probably isn't helping so any advice on whether I can put any creams or antiseptic there to help with the soreness too?

Thank you :)

Chewing licking is an very very common sign of a dog in pain especially under the tail. So I would be listening to the vet.

I would be looking at discussing pain medication and some physio options.

You should not be exercising her to the point that she slows down. Dogs will run on adrenalin when out and about so when she is showing pain when out she has had too much exercise.

Spinning would be a painful activity for a dog with arthritic pain

Other basic things to check are that your dog does not have worms or fleas but I would guess your vet has discussed this.

@forumsempronii no worms or fleas. She is regularly treated and vet saw no signs. I wasn't clear - when I say spinning I don't mean spinning in circles. I mean her normal reaction to pain is to suddenly look round at her legs. It has never ever been to chew the tail. This has only started happening since the anal gland infection. She is on very good pain meds. The extra tablet given has, so far, made no difference. I just feel like I'm going round in circles a bit! Definitely don't over walk her. I only mean she is not as sprightly as she once was but that's only natural.

Are you using one of the collars to stop her chewing ? I’ve seen an inflatable one, like a mini swim ring.

I wonder whether she was chewing during the infection and she now has irritated skin which is bothering her.

Could you try an inflatable collar or cone to allow the skin to heal and her to break the habit?