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Thx and suggestions needed regarding dogs symptoms

Posted By Diana (Melbourne, Florida, Usa) on 02/03/2011

Thanks for all the posts about pumpkin and my dog's anal glands. He was at the vet yesterday for his annual shots (like a robot, I take him every year because the vet says I have to, now I am discovering perhaps it's not necessary) and had his anal glands expressed while we were there. He has diabetes (7 units of insulin injected twice daily), the vet said that wouldn't interfere with his shots.

Within a few hours of his appt he was lethargic, by last night he was scary sick. Wouldn't eat (this dog is almost 11 years old and has NEVER missed a meal) and barely wanted to lift his head, eyes were dull, panting heavily. I called the emergency vet and he said it was probably an allergic reaction to his shots and give him 25 mg Benadryl and he would be fine. I ran to the store to buy the Benadryl and gave it to him.

This AM he slept an hour later than usual, only ate half his breakfast and was still totally wiped out. Today vet said give him a baby aspirin and if he's not better tomorrow, bring him back in. Tonight we noticed a huge angry looking red swollen area to the left and a little below his anus. After a little research it seems like it is an anal gland infection. Could that have caused his lethary yesterday and have nothing to do with his shots? After discovering this site and reading the posts, I immediately gave him 1 tablespoon of pumpkin (he is a 20 lb poodle) and applied aloe from my yard to the wound. Anybody have any other suggestions? I am reluctant to go to the vet tomorrow if I can figure this out and try to heal him naturally. Thanks

Replied by Kathy (Las Vegas, Nv) on 02/11/2011

My dog had his glands expressed and it caused major pain and a huge lump on his behind. He was very lethargic and licked his bottom constantly. I took advice from another post and put him in the tub with 2-3 inches of warm water and added 1/2 cup of hydrogen peroxide and 1 cup of epsom and just used a glass to pour it over his bottom. I did this 5 different times the first day and 3-4 times the next day then once a day for another few days. I also fed him 1/2 cup of pumpkin and he felt better in a day or two.

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