Update on mintys paw licking

[ness]

Just got back from the vet. She said the reason for Minty licking and nibbling his paws was due to anal glands. She said for his age they were very full. So she sorted them out, much to his disgust. She put him on a course of anti biotics too incase he also has a seasonal allergy. He has to go back in 2 weeks. She wants to keep an eye on his glands and said if they keep getting so full they'll have to remove them. Poor pup

[papillon806]

I would be a little weary to get them removed....sometimes they can lose control of their bowels for life! eek!

[mulroony]

But at the same time my folks dog's glands ruptured and we came very close to loosing him.

[LVT]

Why antibiotics for a seasonal allergy? Has he infected the area he's chewing/licking?

[dollface]

Why have them removed? Can you not have your vet show you how to empty them to make ur furbaby more comfortable.... I empty Tiva's whenever I see her dragging her butt. I also had Tiva's rupture as well and now that I know how to empty them its so easy...

[mrsgrubby]

I had to get my last dog's anal glands removed. She never ever had a problem with her bowels after the surgery. They kept getting infected, and my vet said it was dangerous to have the owner empty them, can rupture them, bruise them, ect.

Seems strange he would lick his paws because of his glands, but I am no vet.

[Shadowkins]

Well I'm glad to see the vet found the problem...darn anal glands anyhow...poor Minty must have been very uncomfortable! I would imagine the antibiotics are a precaution for the excessive licking ( could be infected ) and the anal glands...if they were that full there might be a small infection??? In any case Minty is better and that is all that matters. Thanks for letting us know!!!

[yesiames]

paw licking because of anal glands? interesting!
sammi licks/nibbles on her paws too, the vet
told me it was because the house was too moist for her,
and that moisture was causing her skin to itch (esp. between
her paws and such). it's def. cause of the anal glands?
hrm i wonder if i should get sammi checked out too?!

[ness]

yesiames she said they don't really know why it affects the paws but it makes their paws uncomfortable and itchy if the glands get full.

I think the antibiotics were just a precaution. I wouldn't even begin to try to drain them myself, i had to fight to hold him whilst she did it. Poor little guy, but he's a bit more settled today. Hopefully that's sorted now, she said it was unusual for a dog so young to be so full. Well see how it goes i guess.

[GSD]

If the vet doesn't have good reason to be giving anti biotics he shouldn't be giving them PERIOD!!!! Indiscriminate use of antibiotics in people, livestock, and now our pets is what is causing resistant strains not only found in hospitals now, but also in our everyday environment. Pretty scary when they haven't developed anything in the past 40-50 years to take the place of the current (and ever growing list) of antibiotics that will be useless because of resistance.

If there's no infection on the paws, keep it clean. If he was really giving antibiotics for a seasonal allergy, he needs to maybe take a board exam again and see if he's still qualified.

Not only is giving antibiotics for "prevenative" reasons dangerous overall, its dangerous to your pet. Pets are loaded with bacT. that are good. They live in balance and make vitamins, are a part of the immune sysytem and keep our pets healthy, these antibiotics kill those bacT. as well leaving the susceptible to other infections and it can take a month or more to re-establish that balance of bacT in the body. So if they don't have a **** good reason to be giving them, they shouldn't be.