Does anyone know why my dog keeps itching her back and exposing the skin the vet says it's her glands?

she was already treated for the problem before and now it's after coming back and now my other dog has it as well what could it be?

Does anyone know why my dog keeps itching her back and exposing the skin the vet says it's her glands?
It could be her anal glands that need expressing, my Lab has to have hers expressed regularly because they don't always express themselves, but I would suggest that with both your dogs having the problem it is more likely to be an allergy, could be due to the food they are eating or could be a skin allergy. My Lab also has an allergy to dust and needs immuno therapy injections monthly which doesn't solve the problem, it flares up and she then needs a weeks course of tablets to clear it, so even if your dog has been treated for the problem if it is an allergy it will flare up.


You need to see your vet again and get it treated.


Hope your dogs are both feeling better soon.
Reply:Glands??? Can you give us more details about exactly what she is doing and how it was treated before? What exactly does the vet say is causing it? Are your dogs on any flea control (such as Frontline or Revolution)?





added: Thanks. It does sound like an allergy. It could be a food allergy, an inhalant allergy (to pollen or house dust mites, for example), or to fleas. Even if you don't see fleas, make sure to keep your dogs on flea prevention, preferably all year-round. Dogs with flea allergy usually bite and chew around their rump and base of their tail (and other areas) until there is hardly any hair left. You often don't see fleas because the dog actually eats them in the process of biting himself.


Dogs with food allergy often itch as well. The only way to check for this is to feed a special food, something that has only one protein source and one carbohydrate/fiber source (such as rabbit %26amp; potato). It must be something that the dog has never eaten before. They must eat only this food, no treats, no chewies, nothing else, for at least 12 weeks. If there is no improvement, then it is not a food allergy.


Inhalant allergies are treated in many different ways. Antihistamines like benadryl sometimes help; other types of medications are available through your vet. Many vets treat with steroids like prednisone, but these should not be used long-term as they have many side effects. Other options include allergy shots--yes, just like people take. Talk to your vet about the different options.


Another possibility is mites. Hopefully your vet has done skin scrapings to check for demodex and sarcoptes mites. Keeping your pups on Revolution will prevent some mites (not demodex). Sarcoptes mites can be transmitted to other dogs (and people, but that's only temporary, they cannot live long on humans).


If the anal glands are the problem, you will usually notice the dog scooting on his rump, licking his anal region, and sometimes biting/chewing the area. If that is the issue, your vet or groomer can express the glands. If you are willing, have them show you how to do it. Not pleasant at all, but unfortunately a necessity for many dogs.





Talk to your vet about the cause of this itching. Bring both dogs if at all possible. Good luck!
Reply:Glands? wow.. I don't know what that means.


But It could be Flea's. I mean if your other dog


has it to, Then it's obviously something that's spreading..


you can't spread Glands..but you can spread Flea's.


Go to the pet stor and get some Spray or Creame..


wait a couple of days and see if it works..if not..try going


to a Different Vet..and see if they tell you the same problem
Reply:Often times when a dog scratches their back down by their tail it can be allergies. If it is accompanied by licking or chewing at their feet it is most likely flea allergies. If they are having hair loss on their belly most likely food allergies. If it is on the back side of their legs, their bellies and the bottom of their tails it's a contact allergy. (For example saw a dog allergic to it's plastic kennel.) I would say your dog most likely has flea allergies. This doesn't necessarily mean that they are covered in fleas. All it takes is one or two bites and they can break out. (kinda like people allergic mosquitos!) Your dog can be treated with prednisone or similar steroids. If it is severe enough your vet might recommend antibiotics. Many vets that you will go to will have free rechecks. If your animal isn't cleared up with in a few weeks and they are still experiencing the same problem then they won't charge for another exam. Often times when a dog is having an allergy problem it will cause glandular problems. So it would seem that the anal glands are full and that's why they are itching. (dogs will itch when they need to have their anal glands expressed, most dogs express them when the defecate however some small breeds can't do this and you will have to take them to the vet every so often to have it done. Some groomers will also do this but some won't, because they can't stomach it. The smell is awful!) Hope this helps! OH and almost forgot you could call and ask your vet about giving benadryl. They will have a recommendation for dosage for your dog. You can give 1mg per pound so a 10lb dog would get a 10mg benadryl and you can treat them once every 12 hours. However if it causes severe sedation you will want to decrease the dosage or discontinue it all together.
Reply:Well I think I know what your are talking about my Jack Russell does this all the time. Certain breeds of dogs need there anal glands cleaned out it's gross but apparently they need it. They start dragging there behind on the floor and such. My dog was first allergic to rawhide to it would make her glands swell so no more rawhides. Then she kept doing it so we switched dog foods several times. The glands get inflammed and get buildup if they are eating something that irritates them. So now she is on an organic dog food. Avoderm that is very healthy and is easy to digest. She has had no problems since we switched to fully organic dog food. But you do need to go get them cleaned out. And then switch the dog food if this is the case.
Reply:Fleas, allergies, poor food. It could be any of these. Make sure that your dogs do not have fleas, I would suggest using Frontline Plus on your dog to kill the fleas and keep them away. Then I would begin giving your dogs Omega 3 supplements to help with allergy problems. You can get this from your vet. The dosage is based on the dogs weight. Then I would begin feeding my dogs a premium dog food, I suggest Wellness, Canidae, Innova. Cheaper foods have fillers and fillers mean allergies. It will take 3 to 4 weeks before you notice any difference, but your dogs skin should begin to heal and won't itch anymore.