Hi everyone,

I wonder if anyone could help me with a query regarding our Springer Spaniel. Archie is 2 yrs (approx. - he was a rescue dog)! We've had him 4 months. Just before Christmas he hurt his back and we had to take him to the vet. He gave him pain killers, anti biotics and steroids over a short period to help him recover. Whilst his back was troubling him he checked his anal glands and found them to be rather full (I can still smell it now when I close my eyes). However, the following week they were ready for emptying again and the vet kindly did the honours. We had him checked yet again the following week, but he said they were o.k. However, he's started chasing his tail again and seems restless. Do you think that he has a problem with these glands, or is it normal. I have bribed my sister to come to the vet next time with me so that she can learn how to squeeze them (I'm sorry, I love him to bits, but I just couldn't). Someone my sister knows has suggested that he may be infected in that area and that could be causing the problem. Should I get him back to the vet again.

Hope you're not eating your sandwiches whilst reading this, sorry if you are.

Thanks, Andrea

Hi, my only suggestion would be to check his diet to make sure he's getting enough *roughage* to *exercise* the *affected parts* :)

HTH
Chloe

Chloe's right, it might be a good idea to add some bran and/or grated carrot, cabbage (raw) etc, to give his bowel something to grip on and be bulky enough to empty the glands.

There's no way to phrase this nicely, is there? ;)

There's no way to phrase this nicely, is there

Oh I don't know ...I think you both did really well :D :D

*bowel something to grip on*

am gonna write that down so i don't forget it :D

Thanks also Jeanjeanie,

I will try him immediately on those suggestions you gave me.

I dare say I'll need a peg on my nose though whilst I'm "tidying" up after him.

Andrea

Thanks Chloe

I'm giving him Bakers at the moment, do you think that's enough.
Ever since the vet gave him a steroid injection he has seemed extra hungry (all the time). The vet said that it would make him hungrier whilst it was taking effect, but he can still eat for England now weeks later. He seems to scavenge more nowadays, I know dogs do this, but it is more noticeable.
Also, we are putting him on glucosomine to try to protect his poor old joints and spine a bit. :D

Thanks again, Andrea

Hi Andrea

I am not a fan of Bakers to be honest - bit too much cereal content. Nutro has been recommended on here and my Great Dane pup is on a diet of mostly Burns (which happens to be the best dried food I have ever used). I do supplement his meals with various ingredients and it it seems to be working and there is very little "waste" :)

I would go by his weight if I were you - do the rib test. You should be able to see a defined waist when you look down at him and you should be able to feel his ribs through the skin but not really see them... I think thats right, but someone else might be able to put it better than me!! If his ribs are sticking out - feed him up a bit more :)

Chloe

Hi Chloe,

Thank you for your input. Much appreciated. I'll try him on Burns then, I've just given him his tea and mixed up grated carrot with it, he loved it. The only bit he left was the glucosomine capsule I thought I had cleverly hid amongst it.

The last time I had him weighed the vet said he was perfect, he weighed 25 kg. that was about 2 months ago, I think since then the little "treats" that the boys give him have added to his middle a bit. (Join the club). However, I've just had a feel for his ribs and they are definately in there somewhere. So maybe he hasn't put that much weight on. I don't think that his bad back helped, because he hasn't been very mobile lately. Although he is picking up now and hopefully we'll have him fit and agile soon.
Andrea