My almost 5 mini dachsund is doing fine, but she has started "sniffing" her backside, tail, legs etc. She was having a problem with fleas, but was doing better. Now she is not scratching these areas, she is just basically "sniffing" these areas. She does it a lot. I was wondering if anyone has ever had this kind of symptoms with their doxies. I was worried she was having back problems, but she is in no visible pain, runs like she always has and is acting normal except for the "sniffing"
:thinik: Maybe her anal glands need clearing? Dachshunds tend to need "butt squeezing" because they can have a hard time rubbing their butts against the ground to express them themselves.
I'm just guessing - I've never squeezed a butt in my life! :dontknow:
Oh, yeah, Auntie Karen, you squeeze MY butt all da time!! :meme:
That's just squeezeing your adorable chubby little thighs and tush, Guinness!! :love4:
Aw, Auntie Karen, you're embarassin' me! :blush:
You're my stud muffin!!! :hkiss:
What Karen says is probably correct, most of my dachies over the years has need their anal gland squeezed to clear them. I would suggest you take her to the vet as if they do not get squeezed they can cause an infection which is not "nice". let me know how you get on.
That is what my wife thinks it might be (anal glands) our last dachsund had the problem too, but with her, you could actually "smell the problem" on her blanket, but with Missy I haven't noticed any odor. She is sniffing and licking her backside A LOT. It is like she can't get her mind off of it.
:confused: The glands might be impacted, which is uncomfortable for her.
Auntie Karen :heart: :heart:
Have the vet show you how to do it and save yourself future vet bills and aggravation for her! :thumb:
I agree with the others - licking the area and sniffing is another sign...not all of them have the errrrr, "smell" that clearly tells you !!!! Hope that is all that it is !!!
Since the material in the anal glands is a bit oily and really stinks it is best if a vet does it or you are shown how to do it 1st time they also sometimes sit and try to drag their butts on the ground or carpet. If they get infected and are not taken care of it can really be a bad thing to deal with.Once in awhile surgery is needed and can cause a dog to be incontinent of stool but that would be the worse case scenario's.
I agree, it sounds like anal sacs to me too. Hallie had an impacted one a few years ago which they thought was a tumor at first :crazyeyes: and I had to wait 10 terror filled days to find out it wasn't. Bothersome things those anal sacs! Hers never had an odor either. I get hers expressed about every three weeks when she goes to the vet for her allergy shot. I don't do hers myself because it makes her cry and I just can't do that, but I used to do my Dane's his were easier. Your girl is showing classic symptoms of an anal sac problem which most likely will be easy to fix.
Thanks for the advice and suggestions. Our last dachsund I was able to do it a liitle bit, but never got as much out as the vet. At what age does this normally happen and does it happen to all?
Quote from: Barry on May 02, 2010, 07:24:45 PM Our last dachsund I was able to do it a liitle bit, but never got as much out as the vet.
:soapbox: Oh, those V-E-T hoomans, they study derriere abuse in school - Butt Squeezing 101 AND 102!!
Ima Dora Belle :bkiss:
Not all dogs have problems with them, and of those that do, some have mild problems while others have major ones. It can happen at any age. I have a friend with a doberman who had his glands removed as they kept giving him problems and luckily he did well and had no incontinence or other side effects from it long term. But it's rare it leads to surgery.
LOL Auntie Karen I am glad I didn't stay in vet school long enough to get to those classes.... :angel4: I would cry every time a chicken or goat would die so my counselor wisely suggested I think of a different career. :thumb:
I'm with you Dee Dee I love animals, but I could not work with animals in pain as I not to good with seeing them hurt.
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We've never had any problems with anal glands, but I was told to make sure they get enough roughage in their diet.
Roberta
Barry,
I concur with everyone it does sound like the anal glands. My Sam had major problems with his and one time had diarrhea on top of it. So I would take him to the vet once a month and have them express them. Eddie only had problems once and that was one too many times, but the groomer would do his when he went in to get his nails clipped.
Quote from: Marcia from MI on May 03, 2010, 03:38:19 PM the groomer would do his when he went in to get his nails clipped.
:idiot: Toes chopped . . . butts squeezed . . . you hoomans are sadists!!! Poor puppers, I feel your pain. :comfort:
Actually, Merlin, you are WAY overdue for your nail trimming, and we could get those glands looked at while we are there. :thinik:
:crazyeyes: WE? WE??? THERE IS NO "WE!!!" NOBODY'S gonna be squeezin' your butt, are they???!??? :cussing:
I took Missy to the vet and her anal glands were full. The vet squeezed them and then said to wait and see if it solves the problem. It didn't. She is still sniffing her back parts belly, back, feet etc. She has had a bout with fleas, but even when she doesn't have any on her she is constantly sniffing and looking at her backside. It is like it is mental or a habit because when she gets her mind on something else (like playing, eating, or going for a walk )she is fine, but as soon as she in not "doing anything" she starts again. She sleeps with us and when she gets into bed she goes under the covers and is fine all night. I would think if there is a problem that it would bother her in bed, too.
Going to take her to the vet again, but was wondering if anyone else had had this problem and might know what it is (since it doesn't seem to be the glands) Thanks so much for your replies!!!!!!!!
You know . . . :thinik:
Maybe she keeps looking and sniffing at her backside because . . .
It's just so cute!!
Auntie Karen :heart: :heart:
Did she have a bath after the Anal glands were expressed usually a smelly job she might still be smelling it ? May be infection trying to start up ? maybe they did not get it all ? I thinking going back to the vet is a good idea.This is a far out idea if the dog is having the same symptoms a second trip to the same vet they should not charge you. Yes must have lost my mind for a minute for even thinking that, just chalk it up to old age. Papbouv
all they did was sqeeze the glands and it cost only 21 dollars. They were going to see it that was the issue before we actually see the vet.
Hope things will be better now.
I took Missy to the vet again and they tested her skin and she has a allergic reaction to fleas. She was given a shot for the infection and a flea deterent called Comfortis. The vet said there should be improvement in a day or two. Anyone else have problems with flea allergies?
Do no wish to alarm you but recently read a post about a Doberman that passed away owner thinks it was due to the vet giving Comfortis. Have you yourself researched it since it is a new drug I think Of course if you were to google it you might find good information & bad information.I sure would keep an eye on my Fur Kid for anything unusual. If you want I can try to find that post on DT(Doberman Talk) let me know.
i am sure there are circumstances with every medication. I just figured the vet knows best. I don't know why they chose Comfortis over some other flea deterent, but Missy is doing better. NOt sniffing her backside as much. Thanks for the concern