Labradoodle & Goldendoodle Forum
Need advice. Murphy is eating his tail! UPDATE
Yesterday I noticed Murphy frantically chomping on his tail, close to his anus. I checked on him and he had chewed all the hair off his tail from his backside to about 4 inches away on the tail. It was red, raw and looked like it was about to bleed. I put him in the bath to clean him good and assess the whole bottom and his butt hole looked pretty raw as well. He was more than happy to have me take care of it and i swear he looked at me like "thank you for helping me"
I had just brushed him 2 days before and there was none of this, also, his stools are consistently firm. There was no odor at all, but it does seem that the area that would be the anal glands is puffy from the outside.
I tried to express the gland with a gloved, lubricated finger, but he did whine when I applied pressure and since I don't know how much pressure to apply, I stopped so I didn't hurt him worse. I checked both sides and there really wasn't any distinct lump or mass on either side.
(before you think..."How could she do that?", Well, I was a Labor and Delivery Nurse for many years, so I have no problem putting gloved, lubricated fingers into small areas of a body)
I have used warm compresses, baby wipes to clean him off before applying Desitin ointment and an antiseptic spray the vet gave me for a hotspot he had chewed on his paw last year, and covered it to keep him from licking it. I treated it about 4 times yesterday and 3 so far today. His temp is normal and he's not sensitive to my touching the area as I would expect if it were impacted, but I don't really know.
It looks so much better, but he still sits gingerly and wants to keep getting to it.
So my question is, what else can it be? He has never had anal gland issues, never had them expressed. He did scoot his butt a few days before on the carpet and I just thought he had a dingleberry that was bothering him, but didn't see anything and just forgot about it.
I am taking him to the Vet in the morning as I think he needs an antibiotic at least, and of course to check the glands. Has anyone had this kind of butt/tail issue and it NOT be anal gland flare ups?
UPDATE; 11:40 am
Okay, just back from Vet. The right anal gland was full and is now expressed. I have some antibiotic ointment for his tail area that he has chewed raw and he should be good as new here soon. I would never have been able to express it alone as he was very sensitive as soon as she touched the right side and that was when he jumped for me at home too. Took a bit of restraining to keep him still for the vet.
So Murph and I have had a new bonding experience today. Haven't had to go thru this yet. Good to know for future as I will know what to look for and probably still try to do myself with DH holding. Thanks everyone for your kind thoughts for poor Murph.
I had just brushed him 2 days before and there was none of this, also, his stools are consistently firm. There was no odor at all, but it does seem that the area that would be the anal glands is puffy from the outside.
I tried to express the gland with a gloved, lubricated finger, but he did whine when I applied pressure and since I don't know how much pressure to apply, I stopped so I didn't hurt him worse. I checked both sides and there really wasn't any distinct lump or mass on either side.
(before you think..."How could she do that?", Well, I was a Labor and Delivery Nurse for many years, so I have no problem putting gloved, lubricated fingers into small areas of a body)
I have used warm compresses, baby wipes to clean him off before applying Desitin ointment and an antiseptic spray the vet gave me for a hotspot he had chewed on his paw last year, and covered it to keep him from licking it. I treated it about 4 times yesterday and 3 so far today. His temp is normal and he's not sensitive to my touching the area as I would expect if it were impacted, but I don't really know.
It looks so much better, but he still sits gingerly and wants to keep getting to it.
So my question is, what else can it be? He has never had anal gland issues, never had them expressed. He did scoot his butt a few days before on the carpet and I just thought he had a dingleberry that was bothering him, but didn't see anything and just forgot about it.
I am taking him to the Vet in the morning as I think he needs an antibiotic at least, and of course to check the glands. Has anyone had this kind of butt/tail issue and it NOT be anal gland flare ups?
UPDATE; 11:40 am
Okay, just back from Vet. The right anal gland was full and is now expressed. I have some antibiotic ointment for his tail area that he has chewed raw and he should be good as new here soon. I would never have been able to express it alone as he was very sensitive as soon as she touched the right side and that was when he jumped for me at home too. Took a bit of restraining to keep him still for the vet.
So Murph and I have had a new bonding experience today. Haven't had to go thru this yet. Good to know for future as I will know what to look for and probably still try to do myself with DH holding. Thanks everyone for your kind thoughts for poor Murph.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*() on
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I would recommend the Vet Sherri. Groomers generally express from the outside and I have read for years where that is not the optimum way as it can lead to becoming impacted with this method. Murphy doesn't have any allergies,mthat we know of, so don't assume that is what it is.
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Permalink Reply by Jennifer and Jack on
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No experience with this exact thing but I hope your little ones hiney feels better fast!
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Aww, I haven't used the word hiney in a long time.
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:)
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Permalink Reply by Ricki and Tara (doodle) on
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Could it be a hot spot that he has licked into a gigantic size? Has he been swimming and stayed damp for long periods? I don't know much about them but they can get big.
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Yes, I think that might be the other option and he does swim 2-3 times a day sometimes. So yes that area does stay damp for hours at a time. At least it looks better, so I don't feel it's infected.
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I'm glad you're already seeing improvement Sue. It will be interesting to hear what the vet has to say about it. Keep us posted! Hugs to poor Murph!
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Thanks Ricki
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Yes, he looks uncomfortable when he walks or moves his tail.
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Permalink Reply by Deanna & Desi & Cori on
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No advice, but just wanted to send my support and some positive thoughts. Will be looking for an update after you return from the vet!
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Will do.
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Permalink Reply by Donna K & Quincy on
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Poor Murphy, no advice just sympathy! Feel better soon buddy.
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