A difficult decision to make ...
Last Saturday it was time for what I thought was a normal visit from the vet. Unfortunately, Rowan often has problems with his anal glands and even though it is certainly not the nicest, once they have been emptied, he is relieved of that problem for a while. So last Saturday we thought we would experience the same thing as the previous times ... emptying glands, and another happy dog. A routine job for the vet.
This time it became different. I already knew that there was a small inflammation in the last days before the vet could come ... but well, you expect it to be solved with antibiotics.
Rowan is normally a model patient, so I brought him in and the vet started his 'not so fresh but very necessary treatment'. Unfortunately, he soon said, "Oh what am I feeling here?" So it was clear that something was not the same as previous times. The right gland was normal and easy to empty. But the left anal gland, that was another story. This gland is completely swollen. Where a normal size is about de size of a pea, this anal gland from Rowan felt like 3 centimeters! Luckily no fistulas or something like that, so it does NOT directly point to a tumor, but unfortunately to connective tissue of this anal gland. Which in turn means that Rowan cannot empty this gland himself. The connective tissue may be caused by a chronic inflammation.
What now?
There are a few options ... We can try medication, daily ointment in the anal gland and antibiotics from time to time, AND empty the anal gland in time to see if it can be done for Rowan and for us.
The other option is to immediately opt for an operation in which the anal gland is going to be removed ... That will make that Rowan is freed from his problem for good. He does not miss that anal gland because in fact he does not need them at all. That would be the easiest thing to do ... However, there are a few terribly annoying and enduring risks associated with this operation. No matter how experienced a veterinarian is ... it is possible that the gland cannot be removed without the vet touching the sphincter muscle of the anus, and with it there is a risk that the dog will become stool incontinent. The risk is not great, but it is clearly present ... The second risk associated with the operation is that it is not a clean area to operate, so there is a high risk of infection. That can of course be taken care of with antibiotics ... but it does mean that you could have a very long intensive recovery period. And then a last big risk ... Rowan is now 11 years old, and every anesthetic gives the dog a risk that he won't wake up. Rowan's advanced age greatly increases this risk.
Choices, choices, choices ...
Of course I want the best for my dog! There is no doubt about that ... but unfortunately I also have to look at the consequences. Because suppose I choose the operation and he becomes incontinent. I know it won't make Rowan happy. He is a super clean dog who will NEVER do anything inside. I also know that with the other two dogs that walk around here, and the general hygiene, it is not an option to keep him indoors any longer if he gets incontinent.
And with that comes a difficult decision, because Rowan has been used to living indoors for all his 11 years. If he's suddenly stopped being allowed to do so, he would also be unhappy. He just wants to be with me, and I couldn't even get that over my heart. I also want to have my dogs in my neighborhood. And what if the worst becomes truth, and he doesn't recover from his anesthesia?
So although the operation would permanently help him get rid of his anal gland ... and maybe no incontinence arises at all, and he just wakes up again, at the moment I seriously don't know if that is the best option for him. Not to mention that you are talking about an operation that immediately costs around 600 euros or more.
Option 2 ...
The medication. Which means that there must always be antibiotics in the house for him. That I have to spray an ointment into his anal gland twice a day, every day ... for the rest of his life. And that I will have to learn how to empty his anal glands because this will be necessary very regularly. Of course I do this for my dog ... if I can help him and he is not in pain. That it remains fun for him ... Naturally, there are also costs involved. The antibiotics cost one and a half euros per tablet and Rowan is a hefty dog that needs 2.5 tablets per day. The ointment also costs something ... but then you would talk about around 30 euros a month ... for the rest of his life. And assuming that he is in good condition outside of this, we can expect him to live for another 3 to 5 years. So the costs for that also increase ...
If only he could talk!
I've thought so many times when one of the dogs is having problems, but they can't talk, and all I can do is listen to what they let me know in their own way. Watch and observe them very carefully, and hope I do right for them ...
I don't ask for advice quickly, but now I would very much like to hear your opinion. What would you do in this situation ...?
I would not dare to advise you in your situation so I just wish you a lot of strength and I am sure that whichever decision you take it will be the right one. I am sorry that Rowan goes through such troubles and that you have such difficult decision ahead of you. I am certain you will do the best for Rowan and you as well...
Hi hetty-rowan,
Visit curiesteem.com or join the Curie Discord community to learn more.
Thank you!
I am so sorry to hear this @hetty-rowan, I don't really know what to say or advise, if he was younger I would straight away, say to do the operation, but I am hesitant because of his age.
I look those photos of him, he looks so happy, sorry I can not help further, let us know how it all goes xxx
Thanks for your support ... Yes for me his age is a big doubt too. If he was about 8 years, I would also straight away go for the operation ... but now ... I just don't know what's best.
I am shocked by this dilemma. Rowan looks like a cute, clean and friendly dog. I think you have to think about Rowan's quality of life in the future (and how long will that future be, 2 or 5 years?). The operation seems to be a good solution but it has a lot of risk. I would try to medicate him daily. If so Rowan will be fine ... I would be happy. It is just an opinion. Kind regards @hetty-rowan
Thank you ... Rowan is a cute, clean and friendly dog. For now my feeling is to go with the medication for a month or two to see if it this can be the solution for him. With his age and the risks for the operation I think it's best to try it first that way. If that doesn't work enough, we can go for the operation ... but first I think we try the medication for him. And hope for the best! Thank you for your opinion.
I hope everything goes well for Rowan and you. If you have improvement, please let us know with a publication.
ehy dear @hetty-rowan, I'm so sorry for Rowen ... it's really quite a dilemma when patients are animals that can't talk. also a bad thing happened to me with my cat and in the end I decided to suppress her, so as not to make her suffer anymore, but it was horrible. the operation seems to me to be risky, I seem to understand instead that the drug has no counter indications: I mean, is it safe that the drug + cleaning of the glands is enough to make it feel good? if the answer is yes, I would take this option. you always have time to change your mind and decide to work. All the best for you .-))
This post has been rewarded with an upvote from city trail as part of Neoxian City Curation program
. We are glad to see you using #neoxian tag in your posts. If you still not in our discord, you can join our Discord Server for more goodies and giveaways.
Do you know that you can earn NEOXAG tokens as passive income by delegating to @neoxiancityvb. Here are some handy links for delegations: 100SP, 250SP, 500SP, 1000SP. Read more about the bot in this post.
It is painful to see how it can cause damage to our dogs, I also passed and the measure was an operation, I had the consequence that he died in full operation, it was a disaster for me, the pain doubled. But now rest in peace, I do not have the best words for you or a good option, what I can say is hopefully everything goes well and have a happy ending, check everything before acting!
Ohhh @iamsaray ... you lost our dog during an operation... how sad!
Older dogs and large dogs seem to have trouble pulling out of anesthesia.
Me, I'd avoid the surgeries and try the meds.
Age eleven - may you have many more seasons with beautiful Rowan!
Hi @hetty-rowan,
Thanks so much for partaking in #dailypetphotography! Please follow @dpet for upcoming events.
Our discord channel is up and running, come on over and say hi, lots of avil pet owners are awaiting you there.
https://discord.gg/GYrnsNm
What a terrible desicion to make. Dog's are family... although it is a diffcult and tough one, I think I would go with trying medication too. You are able to measure the efffects without the risks of a operation. If it works it's relative do-able for you and Rowan. You can alwasy decide, if necesarry, to have the operation... Good luck with your choice...