Did you know that the anal sacs in a dog can abscess and even rupture? I didn't know that until yesterday. A trip to the emergency animal hospital, has now turned me into an anal sac disease expert. Well, kind of. It started yesterday morning, with a little swelling and inflammation on one side of the rectum. I know this is a gross subject to talk about, but dog owners need to know this, and this could happen to any dog.
By the evening this swelling was looking extremely ugly, and I realized this can't wait. I jumped in the car, and started driving to the emergency animal hospital. On the way there, the anal sac abscess ruptured the skin causing a 4 mm wound next to the rectum. Blood, pus, and whatever other contents were in the abscess started spewing out. At the time, it was pretty scary because I had no idea what was wrong with me.
I arrived at the emergency animal hospital, raced inside, and lifted up my tail to show the receptionist. The receptionist announced my presence over the intercom with that emergency code that calls just the right person to come out and take your vitals. While I was filling out the paperwork, the emergency receptionist gave me her all knowing look, and handed me a pamplet that explains anal sac disease. I asked her if that was what I had, and she said the veterinarian will need to decide. Of course, she was right. Receptionist in emergency animal hospitals know everything, probably because they see so much.
The veterinarian cleaned and shaved the entire area, and gave me a pain killer/anesthetic called butorphanol and acepromazine to help me rest. While I was all sleepy, they flushed out the entire area and checked my anal glands. Then they put an elizabethan collar on me and send me home with animax ointment and cephalexin antibiotics. The elizabethan collar I ditched in the car on my way home, I know, I am a very bad patient. But that collar was going to drive me insane! I am faithfully using hot packs, taking antibiotics, and putting the ointment on though.
I will never forget that crazy experience I had last night. With the effects of the butorphanol and acepromazine, I couldn't even walk on my own until 5 am this morning. Tonight I am doing much better. In retrospect, there were tell tale signs of an anal sac problem. Every once in awhile my anal glands would bug me and I would rub my bottom on the floor, but I never realized all this could happen. Watch for these signs, and get them checked by a veterinarian, so you don't end up like me.
