Hi all, This morning Desi was chewing on the base of his tail so I thought. This would not have struck me odd because he is a habitual groomer. Always licking his paws to clean his eyes and face and licking everywhere else too. However, every time that I looked at him, he was chewing the base of his tail and he would even walk funny and then be trying to turn his head while standing and walking to try to get his tail. I took him in the bedroom and put him on the bed. He wouldnt let me look (probably thinking Mommy, you are embarrassing me!) I did manage to pry his tail from under his legs and I could see that he was wet from all the biting and licking on the fur but I also tried to see if there was something else wrong in his rectal area, but I have to admit that I dont think that I have ever inspected him there I guess I thought he would like to keep his private parts private. I gave him some Benadryl and two hours later he was still chewing. I had to think long and hard because I dont want to be too protective and take him to the vet for nothing. So, I called Judy to ask her what she thought and she confirmed that I should take him to the vet.
So, because Dolly & Desi will not go anywhere without the other, I had to get them both leashed up and in the car. We got to the vets office and Desi usually wants me to hold him, but he didnt today (probably afraid I was going to look at his private part again!). We waited for Dr. Bullard and he took him to the back to check what was wrong. They expressed his anal glands and then he examined him he has some sort of rash (and the vet didnt know what may have caused it) and I dont know if Desi is rubbing across bushes or weeds or what. I have a pretty good idea of where he is in the house, but he doesnt stay out long enough to do too much harm. However, he has been going to the planters and watching birds lately. Maybe he might be allergic to lantana. He may have brushed against one of the taller weeds I really dont know. So, just being off antibiotics for 4 days, Desi has to take them for another 10 days and I have some Gentocin topical spray to spray on the area every 12 hours. And the part that Desi hates more than people looking at his rear end, he has to wear the e-collar. I have a few here because I dont throw them away (thank goodness) and I took a bandana that is white with red and blue stars to thread through the spaces so he looks better than when they use that stuff that looks like old pantyhose. The vet wants to see him in a week. I will be in the hospital but Desi will be boarding there at the Animal Hospital so they can just take him to Dr Bullard so he can see how he is doing. This is the third thing in a little more than a month with him first the eye infection; then the mouth all scratched up; and now the butt rash. I just fed him piece by piece because he cant play with his food toys with that e-collar on. It is a good thing because he is not remembering to chew after all that work. But, one piece at a time is better than when he ate the whole ¼ cup in 5 seconds. So, I am going to go and buy some Activia and give it to both of mine I will go back and read how much Scott said to give them. I really dont need him getting intestinal issues because he has no more good bacteria in there. I really hope that he gets better soon. I hope that when I am ready to bring him and Dolly home, that Desi wont have to be wearing that e-collar not sure it is a good idea for him to be around my skull after surgery when he is wearing that thing. Good night to all off to the store and then maybe a minutes rest for the wicked. Joan
