Anal Gland Removal

[jacks]

Hello all, our much loved Parson Russell Molly is now almost 10 years of age, and has been on antibiotics and steroid cream since the end of October.

The vet now wants to operate to remove her anal gland on the right, and some of the tissue around it if required.

Due to her age and the fact that she has a low grade heart murmur, I'm rather worried about the op. Has anyone else been through this, and if so, do you have any advice for us please. All we want is for her to be ok.

[vickyb]

Many years ago our GSD x had both sides removed and he was fine. The stitches on one side got infected and the cut came up a bit like a muffin with a cracked top but with time and antibiotics it healed and wasn't a problem. It was the best thing he ever had done as he had constant problems and they'd empty if he got excited. The op didn't bother him and he sailed through his recovery even with the infection.

I was talking to our vet about it a couple of months ago and he said that despite there being a risk of incontinence he has never had it happen and he doesn't know any vet that has. I can understand your reluctance but I'd ask the vet if he thinks it's inevitable that its removed in which case sooner is better than later. When the glands do get in a mess it's really uncomfortable and painful for them. Our little Bridge girl, cross breed Trixie had trouble all her life including abscesses and I wished we'd had them out in hindsight but by the time she was getting real problems is was too late as she had liver problems and a GA was out of the question.
If you go ahead I'd definitely have pre op bloods done at her age to make sure her liver and kidneys are fit for the op.

Good luck if you do decide to go ahead with it

[Milothemonster]

I have no experience of this particular op with any of my dogs but I would like to try and reassure you about age and G/A'S etc.


My 12 and a half year old Parson Russell, Skye has recently had an op to remove a fatty lump and she had no problems with the G'A at all.

I am sure your vet would take into account the low grade murmur, and as Vicky said , do get her bloods checked for organ function etc, but dont let her age worry you.

These old Parson's are from hardy stock and made of stern stuff and they usually do very well.

My Skye has had several ops over the years and sailed through them all.

Good luck with whatever you choose to do and let us know how she gets on.

[jacks]

I will keep you all updated - it's the day after tomorrow (Wednesday).

[vickyb]

Lots of good wishes for the surgery to go well and a quick and uneventful recovery

[jacks]

I'm on tenterhooks - vet phoned to say they'd done the liver function blood test and found elevated levels, but not to worry as it was a common occurrence in oldies.

I can't stand all this nervous waiting - it's worse than anything when one of our 4 legged gang is at the vet's. The op will be the last one of the day. Poor thing must be totally confused and think that we've aboandoned her.

[Milothemonster]

Dont worry too much about the liver levels as said its quite common in oldies.

The waiting is the hardest part, hopefully she will be back home very soon.

[vickyb]

I'm positive that if the levels were anything to worry about they wouldn't have gone ahead with the op. I've had that happen on 2 occasions and the op has been cancelled and further detailed liver tests done. In both cases it wasn't as severe as the initial test indicated and the ops went ahead at a later date and all was well.

We always worry no matter what don't we

Oh and last time the vet did say that just the pre op starve can affect the results a bit, especially if it's a dog that isn't a big drinker as they easily get slightly dehydrated which affects the blood work.

[jacks]

Molly is home! Admittedly she slept a lot when she arrived at her favourite sofa, but only after a detour to the most important thing in her life - the food bowl. Nothing different there.

The vet ended up romoving both anal glands - so she has a large crescent shape of stitches, and a bare bott. The other two were incredibly interested, but had the sense to sniff from a distance, or at least when she wasn't looking. She's been very good and not licked the wound at all, and is even sitting, which I don't think I would be doing if I'd had the same op.

Molly has to go back for a checkup on Friday, and then stitches out at a later date. I was so concerned about her that I forgot to ask the vet how long it would be before the "actions" would be back to normal.

Thank you all for your support and good wishes - and Molly says a big woof too.

[ragsysmum]

Hope she heals quickly and has no more problems.

[vickyb]

I've kept looking, so glad to read that all went well. As I recall Zeus returned to normal 'functions' very quickly much to my amazement and disbelief!
Hope it heals up quickly with no problems

[Milothemonster]

WTG MOLLY!!

I told you these Parsons were made of stern stuff... nothing keeps them down for long!!

Hope she heals up fast from now on.. I bet there will be no stopping her!!

Can we have some pics of her if possible, as another Parson owner its nice to see others!!

[jacks]

Stitches being taken out on Monday - hope all goes well. Molly is being very good and not scratching, so no buster collar needed thank goodness. Some problems with "extras" if she gets too excited and barks at the front door though. Hope that will finish when she returns completely to normal.

[sharonhigh45]

So pleased to hear Molly is doing well and good luck for Monday.
Shazx

[jacks]

Molly behaved herself at the vet having her stitches out this morning. Should be the last visit.