PET OF THE MONTH

Tilley

Tilley is a 2.5-year-old Rotweiller.

Tilley came to our clinic in August of 2007 as a foster dog with one of our regular clients. She was a Very nervous dog, slightly underweight, and was unsure of whom she could trust.

Tilley’s foster parents are very calm and patient and we were sure that Tilley would work out and likely be staying “long term” at her foster home.

Tilley returned to Oro Medonte Veterinary Services approx 3 months later with a vaginal infection. A swab was taken and sent to the laboratory for analysis, once the results were in, she was sent home with antibiotics and things seemed to be improving. Though Tilley returned in one month’s time with the same recurring symptoms and seemed to be urinating inappropriately. It was decided to increase Tilley’s dose of antibiotics and lengthen the duration she would be on the medication. In the meantime we would get in contact with a specialist from the laboratory, and pending her results, see if there may be something else we should be doing to improve Tilley’s symptoms while she healed.

Tilley seemed to heal up perfectly from the infection and her foster family was very pleased with her results.

But it wasn’t long before Tilley returned to the clinic for somewhat similar symptoms as previously. She seemed to be dragging her bottom occasionally, and owners noticed a foul smell to Tilley. At this it was decided that another swab should be taken and sent to the laboratory to ensure Tilley would be given the proper antibiotics. At this time we also expressed Tilley’s anal glands, as she seemed to have irritation around that area. At this time her owners stated this was definitely the smell they had noticed recently.

Anal gland expression is very common in many dogs, and may need to be repeated as often as every 6 weeks, but Tilley was returning to us every 10 days to have this repeated. Her owners were sent with a different diet to trial with no such luck. At this point Tilley’s owners decided if there was a possibility to surgically remove her anal glands they would like to proceed with that, as it was unfair to Tilley to be returning every 10 days for this procedure.

Tilley had her anal glands surgically removed and has not had an issue with dragging her bottom, having a foul odour, or needing any further antibiotics.

Her family is very pleased with her results, and Tilley has returned to the clinic bounding with energy, and happy to see all of our staff members.

So much for the shy, timid girl we once met!

Click here to learn more about Anal Sac Disease