Diet/anal gland infections

[megfin812]

Hello! My name is Megan, and my 9yo German Shepherd, Scout, was diagnosed with Cushing's (pituitary) 5 weeks ago. Since then she's been on 120mg/day Vetoryl. We live in Germany, and that's the most popular med given in Europe. In the past 5 weeks, I have seen great improvement in her weight (lost 6 lbs), energy level and her water intake has returned to normal. The "only" issue that I can not get a handle on is a recurring gland infection on her right gland. She had never had this problem before, and her licking was the main reason I took her in to the vet....resulting in the Cushing's diagnosis. As soon as Cushing's was brought up, I changed her from kibble to a raw meat and vegetable diet (alternating weeks of beef and chicken; carrots, brocolli, green beans, peas, white potatoes). When I read about recurring gland infections, I always hear that you should increase fiber, but that goes against what I've read about Cushing's! I honestly don't know if this is the same infection that has never fully gone away, or if it keeps coming back. Initially, the vet sedated her and flushed it, injected antibiotics, and gave oral antibiotics.....then I noticed the puncture again and more oral meds were given. I just noticed last night that the puncture it still visable, and idk if I should take her back in. She does have to go in next week for her second ACTH. I'm just confused and need a little guidance! It's a bit hard with the language barrier, and I feel that this disease is not an area of expertise for most vets. Any advice you could offer would be greatly appreciated.

[labblab]

Hello Megan, and welcome to you and Scout! I am so glad Scout is otherwise doing well with her Cushing's treatment, but sorry about the recurring anal gland issue. Unfortunately, this is not a problem with which I have either experience or knowledge :o. But hopefully some of our other members may be able to offer some thoughts in that vein.

Regarding the fiber question, I am not personally aware of any reason why you cannot increase Scout's fiber intake in this situation. I have not had any formal dietary training, but it seems to me that providing good quality protein (to offset muscle wasting) and additionally limiting fat to moderate levels (due to possible vulnerability to pancreatitis) are the chief dietary concerns for Cushpups. I am not aware of a mechansim by which fiber content is a big issue one way or the other. But again, perhaps some other members will have thoughts is this regard.

In the meantime, can you tell us how much Scout weighs and also the numerical results for the previous ACTH testing? We usually recommend starting at a trilostane dose that approximates 1mg. per pound, or 2.2 mg. per kilogram. So unless Scout is a really big girl, her initial dose may be somewhat higher than this suggested formula. However, as long as she is doing well clinically and the monitoring ACTH testing supports that level, things are fine. But this is why I am particularly interested in the actual test results.

Once again, welcome to you both. I am really glad you have found us!

Marianne

[megfin812]

Thank you, Marianne! I honestly do not know Scout's numbers. I was actually planning to call the vet that did her initial bloodwork this afternoon to get that info, because I don't want to take her to that vet anymore. Her weight, when she was put on meds was 98lbs, and 1.5 weeks ago it was 92lbs. The vets here are closed from 10am-4pm (how rough!), so I plan to call at 4, and will post asap! Just in case there's a language issue, what info do I need? Again, thank you.

[goldengirl88]

Welcome to the forum. I have had this problem with my Tipper. This is what my vet and I did to prevent it. Dog with allergies are prone to this. Does your dog have allergies? Well anyway you need to get her glands cleaned out thoroughly every 2 months or sooner if you see her starting to lick. When they scoot and lick they are full and need emptied. It is when they are not emptied when they are supposed to be that the infection sets in. My Tipper's got infected one time as I did not realize they needed cleaned and the vet filled them with an antibiotic. It really did the trick and she has never had it since as I keep a chart of her cleanings and know when she needs to have it done. I hope this helped you. Good luck. Blessings
Patti

[labblab]

I am horrible at trying to learn foreign languages myself, so I surely understand why this makes things harder! By any chance, do you have a German-speaking friend who might be able to intervene?

Either way, probably the easiest thing is just to ask for copies of all of Scout's testing records. That way, you can translate medical terms and lab units at your leisure. Cushpups typically exhibit certain consistent abnormalities on routine blood and urine tests (for example, elevated liver enzymes and cholesterol levels and also dilute urine). Additionally, a diagnostic blood test was presumably performed -- was this the first ACTH? The other possible diagnostic test is called the LDDS. Also, by any chance, was an abdominal ultrasound performed at the time of diagnosis? If so, you would also want a copy of the interpretation of the imaging. All this info will be really helpful if you can obtain copies.

Marianne

[flynnandian]

welcome, perianal fistule is a common illness in gsd.
maybe this is what your dog has? i hope not, because it is very difficult to treat.
the dosage of 120mg vetoryl sounds a bit high, but the acth test will show if you can stay on this dosage or have to decrease a bit.
but i am glad that the vetoryl has improved your dogs health!

[goldengirl88]

How is everything going with the anal gland problem? I hope it was nothing more than that. How did the ACTH numbers come out? Hope Scout is doing well. Blessings
Patti