itch and smell coming from the bottiom

[gracie]

My shih Tzu has been sliding on the carpet these last couple of days and is trying to get underneath her back end. I thought she got bit by a mosquito and had a itch. I turned her over today and her vulva appears to be swollen with a terrible smell coming from the area. She is a 5 year old spayed female. Does anyone know what this can be? I made an appointment with the vet.

[calgal]

Sounds like she has an infection and I hope you get in the Vets. really soon.

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

I agree, it sounds like she has an infection and needs to be seen by a vet as soon as possible.

[gracie]

This evening I took her into the vet. She had a vaginal examination and she does have a infection (vaginitis). The Vet said she had hair growing to the inside which impacted causing irritation and infection. I never knew that hair could grow to the inside and cause this? Is this something that can be taken care of at home, or is it a job for the Vet. Also her anal sacs were full. Does that mean she was constipated? The vet also discovered she has a heart murmur, but a mild one that she said should be monitored.
For the vaginitis she was put on 10 days of cephalexin 2xs/day. Whew! we're both glad to be out of there!

[Giny]

Aw, poor girl! I bet she'll start feeling relief once the meds kick in. I wonder if keeping her hair clipped short around her vaginal area might help keep the hair from irritating her?

As for her anal glands being full, those glands are just two little sacks under and on each side of the dog’s anal area. They normally empty themselves out when the dog defecates but some dogs, especially small breeds, are prone for them to get impacted. Getting them emptied by your vet once a month would help. Or you could ask you vet to show you how to do them yourself.

[gracie]

Thanks for informing me on the anal sacs. Is there anything one can do to prevent them from impacting, (besides regular draining)

[Giny]

Originally Posted by gracie

Thanks for informing me on the anal sacs. Is there anything one can do to prevent them from impacting, (besides regular draining)

If a dog is prone to having impacted glands then I don't know of anything that will prevent it from happening besides emptying them manually. It usually empties naturally while a dog defecates and some dogs can have impacted glands if their stools are to soft. Maybe someone else here might now that answer.

[calgal]

There is nothing you can do except express the glands yourself or have the groomer or Vet. do it for you. It's not a bit difficult........just really smells horrible. I'm glad your girl is on medication now. She will start feeling so much better in just a couple of days. Just keep the genital area shaved. I always do this on my female dogs. Fact is, I always kept the hair shaved from around the penis opening of all my foster males. I don't foster anymore.......too many heartaches.

[rmci]

Ask your vet how to express your Shih Tzu's anal glands. When full, they will feel like two hard peas on either side of the anus, just below the root of the tail. To clean them--a foul smelling job and definitely to be done just before a bath...cover the anus with a tissue, squeeze gently upward and outward until all fluid is extracted. Do not put your face near the glands. You may decide to pay a groomer or your vet to do it for you. It is not a pleasant task and if done incorrectly, you could injure your Shih Tzu.

Originally Posted by gracie

Thanks for informing me on the anal sacs. Is there anything one can do to prevent them from impacting, (besides regular draining)

[Lovemytoys]

That is a nasty job to do yourself! I would let your groomer or vet do it, I think it is well worth the money to not have to smell it!

[bigdoglover]

I agree, with everyone. Keep the area shaved, and watch for ingrown hairs as well. Also, having someone else express the anal glands is a good idea. That is not a job I would want to do!! Glad she is ok!!