Swollen Butt :(

[Karrie]

Recently, my dog has been licking her butt, but we aren't sure of the exact reason why. So now she has very little hair around her butt area and its red, plus swollen.

Not sure why, but the area seems sensitive, so taking a poop is hard for her, but she did go once last night, that I know of. At first I thought she was constipated, but that doesn't seem to be the whole case.
Now, there is a small 'tear' (I THINK it is a tear and that I am using the right word lol) about 1/4" under her butt whole. It isn't opened, but its the top layer of the skin, so I am guessing the skin is stretching more than it wants to.

I've been giving my dog pumpkin (canned), so she will continue to use the bathroom and not become constipated. But is there anything else I can do? She has an appointment at 4pm Wednesday (earliest they could get her in), even though, I was hoping for something sooner.

I THINK what might have caused it, is that I put her in the cage while I was at school, to reinforce on not going to the bathroom in the house, so holding it for to long was a problem for her (its 7 hours ). She also had a bone (2nd time I've given her this type of bone), so maybe that caused it? Not sure.

But if there is anything I can do for her, please let me know. I feel terribly sorry for her and can't imagine the pain she is going through.

[calgal]

I would have been finding an emergency Vet. who can take care of her asap! She could have a bone splinter in the digestive track.

[KennelMom]

Could be anything from impacted anal glands (my first thought) to an instestinal obstruction or tear (since you mentioned the bone). What kind of bone did you give her?

[Novel]

Exactly where is she swollen??

I agree with kennel mom that it could be anal glands or an intestinal problem, however, if she is an intact female, she may be in heat? Is she spayed?

A vet visit is absolutely necessary, to either clear up the infection, or have her spayed!!

[KennelMom]

however, if she is an intact female, she may be in heat?

Didn't even occur to me (I guess b/c all our dogs are altered), but a very real possibility. I rushed my first cat to the vet convinced she was in the throws of death...nope...just her first heat. (she was spayed VERY shortly thereafter)

[Karrie]

She is spayed, always has.

I am going to call the vet right now and see if they have anything to say and to see what we can do.

EDIT To Add More

I found the bone I gave her. She did not eat it all, very little of it actually. It isn't a real 'bone'. But one of those meaty type bones.

She swollen right around her butt hole (sorry for choice of words)

[Novel]

If I was a betting woman, I would say impacted anal glands with a raging infection. Let us know what the vet says.

[KennelMom]

Originally Posted by Novel

If I was a betting woman, I would say impacted anal glands with a raging infection. Let us know what the vet says.

That would be my guess as well...

Keep us posted! I hope your pup gets some relief soon.

[Karrie]

Update -

She was checked out awhile go (I have been to busy to update sooner). I THINK she had swollen glands then an infection started when she kept licking her butt. I did not go to the vets, so I can't remember exactly. They said she must of had piece of stoll stuck and in attempt to help herself, she started to drag her butt and lick it, which led to the infection.

I don't know, I'm to tired to remember lol. But she is being treated with pills and medicine, so she'll be good as soon

[KennelMom]

Good news! Thanks for the pupdate

[Novel]

Glad she is on the road to recovery!

[IceyBlueSibes]

Good news!

Isn't canned pumpkin supposed to bind their stools though?? And actually make them constipated if it's fed too much?? Just checking

So glad she's on the mend! I bet she was so miserable!

[Karrie]

I read online (and heard from a friend that works with an animal rescue) that pumpkin helps regulate them. I don't give much (less than a teaspoon) and only when she gets the pill. Its another way to trick her to eat it

[Pondwader]

Pumpkin does help regulate them, but I believe she would need more than a teaspoon. Depends on the size of the dog though.

So she is doing better? That's good news... I'd get to the vet though if it doesn't clear right up, anal gland infection can cause a system wide infection and fever. Could also be a hot spot, though in a weird spot.... also sounds like it could be perianal fistula. ere is a link to more info about that.
http://www.gsdhelpline.com/perianal.htm

[gracie]

My dog also had full anal sacs that got infected. They told me to bring her in every 6 months to get them expressed. I read if you start with this, you will have to continue. I haven't and she has been fine for close to 2 years. I think they need bulk in their diet so they will go regularily. The bulk in the stool will push on the sacs and express them naturally. Please note; this worked for my dog, but it may not work for all. Some will still have to go in and get them expressed by a vet.