34 replies to this topic

[Finny's mom]

Hi everyone,
its been a long time from I post anything on the forum about my beautiful boy Finn, who we adopted back in Dec 2006 and moved him across the Ambassador Bridge to Windsor...
Today we had our wellness check up and the Vet found a mass attached to 1 of Finn's anal glands... We started straight away on a high dose of antibiotics (praying its a cist) but if it hasn't reduced in size in the next 10 days my vet wants to operate and remove it, plus his anal glands! Like all surgery, it comes with risk - such as damaging the muscles around his anus and affecting his ability to control his bowel movements
I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this problem or has any advice regarding the removal of the glands? I am sooo scared of lossing my beloved Finn who is my heart and my constant companion! Or if you are aware of any Vets in the area who has done this procedure a gazillion times (mine has only ever done the surgery once and with not great results!!! at least he was honest about it!)

Any information would be greatly appreciated!!!

Syb

[Bumpette]

I'm so sorry to hear about Finn's problem. I don't have any advice, as I've never had a dog with anal gland problems. Please keep us updated on how Finn is doing.

[doberpagegirl]

I have never dealt with anything like this either, but I do hope everything goes well. Big hugs to Finn.

[dobie sunshine]

I have dealt with this with my previous sheltie. She was 11 years old when they had to remove both her anal glands. They kept on filling up, they wouldn't release on there own. I had the vet release them about 4 different times when they would fill up. So I finally made the decision to have them removed. My sheltie did not have any problems afterwards. The vet I used was from Lane Animal Hospital, Dr. Bowers did the surgery. Their phone number is 734-475-8696. They are located in Chelsea Michigan.

Or maybe contact Dr. Wroblewski from Allen Animal Hospital. 248-476-0570. She is located in Livonia Michigan and is very familiar with the doberman breed.

Here is a link where someone else was having problems with anal glands. Hope this helps.

http://www.secondcha...9069#entry89021

[Cheri]

I don't have any personal experience but a fellow member of my dog training club has a Gordon Setter who just turned eleven who was recently treated for cancer of the anal sacs. She had surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, and is doing very well.

Oakland Veterinary Referral Service in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan has a number of specialists in a variety of areas. I've had to use their emergency department before, and would use them again if needed. ovrs.com

Sending best wishes to Finn, hope it will turn out to be something benign and easy to treat.

[Finny's mom]

Thanks guys for the quick response!
I got another lead on a Vet in Windsor, who has done the procedure a number of times - have a consult with him set up for next week and its nice to know that there are many options available in Michigan (benefits of living in a border-town! and a great resource in SCD!)...
Finn will be seeing his own Vet next saturday to see how the antibiotics have worked and hopefully some positive news... If not we'll take it from there!

Thanks for all the best wishes and hugs for Finny and I will keep you all posted on how he makes out... Thanks again!!

[Michelle R]

I know a vet in Michigan who has done a "gazillion" of these. Dr. Jan Pol in Weidman, Michigan. This is about 15 minutes west of Mt. Pleasant. I know this would be a long way for you, but I will give you the information. When my dobe Czar had constant anal gland problems, I decided to have them removed. Dr. Pol did the proceedure about 2 years ago, Czar has never had any problems since. Dr. Pol is an excellent surgeon, and because he is a country-vet, he is also very reasonable. I seem to remember the procedure costing less than $300. As an aside, Dr. Pol's clinic will be featured in a new reality TV series.

[Finny's mom]

Hi everyone... Just to let you all know that the antibiotics did the trick and Finn doesn't have to have surgery - Vet said that the mass had completely gone and his anal glands where clear and able to be expressed. Will have a follow up appointment in 3mths just to re: check!!! Can't begin to tell how relieved I am and how thankful I am too you all for the support and Vet info that was offered (saved all of it just in case!)...
You guys and SCD Rock!!!

[doberpagegirl]

Yay! That is great news.

[Bumpette]

Thanks for the update on Finn! I'm sooo happy to know that he is doing well!!

[Diana]

What great new's Glad the meds helped and no surgery , hoping for a good check up too. Thanks for the update.

[Joaquin]

Wow yes very good news!! Glad it worked out!

[LStevens]

My son had a Golden Lab/Chow mix that had similar problems. She had surgery and did just fine afterward. Very good news for your boy. I remember him. In fact, he was featured in the SCD Cookbook. Here are a couple of pics.

Linda

[LStevens]

Evidently my uploading skills are rusty!

Linda

Attached Files

•  finn2-1.jpg   60.85KB   1 downloads
•  finn3-1.jpg   49.01KB   1 downloads

[Arda]

Linda, Is this one of your ponds in the picture with the Sugar Bear? If so, how do you keep it so clean?

[Bumpette]

She doesn't let Bubbles pee in it!

[LStevens]

Hi, Arda -

No, those are photos of Finn that I used when we were working on the cookbook. I have no idea where the pond/lake photo was taken.

I have a small pond off the deck that the dogs walk in - too small to pee in! LOL The big ponds are too deep, and the dogs stay out of them; they just walk the perimeter.

Linda

[dobie sunshine]

Well Nelly has been having problems for a while now with her anal glands. She's been been to the vet
several times to have her anal glands release and was on antibiotics for a couple of weeks with absolutely no success. She is scheduled for surgery on the 16th.

[Bumpette]

Poor Nelly. I'm praying that her surgery is successful. Keep us updated on how it goes. Give her a hug from me.

[yahoosmom]

I sure hope everything goes alright for Nelly. My prayers and thoughts are with you Jackie. These dogs will keep us on our toes, thats for sure.
We never know what comes next. But our eyes are always open with the furkids watching every thing they do.