Desperate for help with my doodle. Keeps licking her butt non-stop. Been to the vets again and again.

[Stacy Armstrong]

Hi everyone. 

I am so desperate to figure out what is going on with my 2 year old female australian labradoodle. Here's her history. I am hoping that someone can help me figure this out. I am now thinking it might be a food allergy. 

4/2011 ~ noticed licking in the anal area. Took her to the vets. She needed her anal glands expressed. They were full. Mild infection. Everything cleared up after about a week.

10/23/2011 ~ noticed licking in the anal area. Took her to the vets. Anal glands were expressed. No infection found.

10/26/2011 ~ still licking her butt Took her back to the vets. Her left anal gland was infected. Gave her a cortizone shot and put her on an antiobiotic.

11/4/2011 ~ still licking her butt Took her back to the vets. Both anal glands were infected. Changed antibiotics and added in predisone b/c the glands were very swollen and not able to drain. They also checked her stool for worms/parasites. Negative. She is also on monthly heartgard.

11/5/2011 ~ switched foods to Fromm 4 Starr. 3 kinds. Duck and Sweet Pot., Salmon a la king and Pork and apples. She loves them! She was on TOTW and would turn her nose up every other day.

11/10/2011 ~ Licking like crazy. Back to the vets. No infection. Still swollen glands so gave her another steroid shot. Continue on cortizone at home and antibiotic. Full rectal exam to check for polyps, obstructions, etc. All clear.

11/15/2011 ~ Licking like crazy. Back to the vets. No infection. No swelling in the glands. Checked for mites. Negative. Added benadryl twice per day. Started dewormer even though negative one week ago.

 

Nothing is working. She licked non-stop for hours yesterday despite trying to play and distract her. It's weird, she will run and play and then stop as if someone poked her butt from out of the blue.

 

I am at my wits end. I feel horrible for her. She circles licking all day long. She will stop dead in her track from playing to lick non-stop. Her bottom looks sore and her fur is all wet and matted from where she licks. She licks all around the area including the base of her tail.

 

Could this be a food allergy since TOTW was grain free and Fromm is not? What am I missing?

 

I have also posted this on the food board.

 

Thank you in advance!

Stacy

 

What am I missing?

[Ginny Nightingale]

I have no idea--I just want to say that I feel so bad for her and kudos to you for working so hard to alleviate her discomfort. I hope you find an answer soon.

[Becka]

Hi Stacy--I also don't have any real suggestions, but I am curious as to whether the licking could have become a habit (like fingernail biting in people) even though the area isn't bothering her anymore? I know that this can happen with hot spots. Have you asked your vet about putting some kind of deterrent like bitter apple on the area to discourage the licking?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

If the anal gland issue is the only symptom, this may not be any kind of allergy. Some dogs have this kind of problem and sometimes even need surgery to correct it. For some reason, their glands do not just empty normally with each BM as they should, and become impacted. This can lead to infection, abcess, and even surgery. We've had a doodle here on DK who did have to have surgery.

Although it's common for people to think of food as being to blame for allergies (and everything else) food allergies are relatively rare, accounting for only 10% of all allergy symptoms in dogs.

If your dog is not biting, licking, or scratching herself anywhere but her butt, and does not have fur loss, skin damage, red eyes, ear infections, or any of the other symptoms typically associated with allergies, chances are good she doesn't have them. That's not to say that diet isn't related, though. Additional fiber in her diet might be of some help.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Here are some links to discussions posted by one of our members whose dog had the anal glands removed due to recurrent problems:

http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/anal-gland-nightmare

http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/to-remove-or-not-to-remove

http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/questions-for-vet-before-anal

[Kathy (Ellie & Oliver)]

You may want to have your dog wear a cone to give the area a chance to heal.  The cone should be just large enough so the dog can't reach the affected area.  We put a cone on our dog when he gets yeast between his paws.  At first, he bumps into a lot of things, but then he becomes accustom to it.  Otherwise, I would have to watch him every minute. 

You may also want to get a second opinion.  In our area, we have a 24 hr. emergency animal clinic.  They have the latest and greatest equipment and are highly trained.  Good luck in unraveling this mystery! 

[Sue, Lola, Pongo & Hubby]

I'm totally useless here. This sounds awful, your poor dood!!! Have you considered getting a second (or third, even) opinion?? Maybe a different vet will try something new....sorry you and your doodle are going through this!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I see that Kendra (whose dog Remington had to have the glands removed) posted in your discussion in the Food Group. I think her response is very helpful. In Remington's case, the problem was physiological, his anal glands were positioned in such a way that they were not expressing normally. I would think that in most cases where dogs are having this much trouble with chronic anal gland issues, it would be something congenital like that.

Here's a link to Kendra's reply:

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/thefoodgroup/forum/topics/please-...

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I'm afraid I have no advice only great sympathy, the poor dog must be in a lot of discomfort .  I think I would definitely look for a second opinion on this one and I wish you all the best in finding a solution quickly.

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

aww poor dood. No advice really other than what has already been given. I doubt its a food allergy, but if your concerned about feeding a grain food, Fromm does have some grain free foods (some of the 4 star line are grain free)

[Lorraine Bromley]

Neely had a problem I caused by trimming his penis hair too close so he licked it constantly and had it a mess! It became a habit too so we had to train him to stop everytime we found him licking. It took a while but he did get retrained to stop the habit. Hopefully it is as easy as that.

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

Oliver had anal gland issues when he had a really bad case of watery poops months ago.  I took him to the vet, she shwoed me how to express the glands myself, its not my favorite thing to do but someone has to do it.  When I bathe Ollie I always check his glands, when I feel they are full I express, and since he is in the tub, I scrub hit butt real good and we are good to go :)    You can feel when they are full, the glands are located at 2-3 o'clock and 8-9 O-clock on Oliver.  When his are full his butt feels like there are two grapes.  You need to squeeze them slowly until they feel deflated and OMG it stinks to high-heaven.  I don't recommend everyone doing this but my vet gave me very detailed lessons and actually let me do some while she watched to make sure I was doing it properly.

 

Poor baby, I know what she ig going thru :(

[Christine & Shelby]

Poor Doodle..... Stacy, I hope you get some answers soon so your precious doodle can get some relief soon!