Comments on: Do Tapeworms Cause Itchy Rears? http://blogs.dogster.com/vet_blog_information_advice/do-tapeworms-cause-itchy-rears/ Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:25:38 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Dr. Deb http://blogs.dogster.com/vet_blog_information_advice/do-tapeworms-cause-itchy-rears/comment-page-1/#comment-4770 Dr. Deb Thu, 26 Mar 2009 15:49:21 +0000 http://blogs.dogster.com/vet_blog_information_advice/do-tapeworms-cause-itchy-rears/#comment-4770 I'd be willing to bet a large sum of money that if this owner has someone express (completely empty, using the intra-rectal digital technique) her dog's anal sacs for her on a regular basis (every 3-6 weeks), the problem will resolve...especially if the dog happens to also be periodically hacking up white, frothy, egg-white-like foamy phlegm. This breed (among others) is notorious for this very common issue. Surgery to actually remove the anal sacs (using a laser, by an *experienced* surgeon) usually provides a permanent solution to the problem in my experience. It is soooooo very important to address in these breeds, since chronic anal-sac licking commonly leads to chronic tracheitis, which further increases the risk of developing collapsing trachea syndrome....something to which toy breeds such as this are already predisposed. Once collapsing trachea syndrome develops, it is a lifelong headache (for dog, owner, and veterinarian all) to manage. Expressing the anal sacs every few weeks for a few times is an easy and inexpensive "trial" to see if they are the source of the licking. If not, other avenues can be explored. Unless the dog's rear area is also red and inflamed from flea allergy dermatitis, my experience (>20 years as a DVM) has shown that anal sacs are by far the most common cause of anal licking in small dog breeds, even if they are not "scooting." Just my 2 cents/another perspective. I’d be willing to bet a large sum of money that if this owner has someone express (completely empty, using the intra-rectal digital technique) her dog’s anal sacs for her on a regular basis (every 3-6 weeks), the problem will resolve…especially if the dog happens to also be periodically hacking up white, frothy, egg-white-like foamy phlegm. This breed (among others) is notorious for this very common issue. Surgery to actually remove the anal sacs (using a laser, by an *experienced* surgeon) usually provides a permanent solution to the problem in my experience. It is soooooo very important to address in these breeds, since chronic anal-sac licking commonly leads to chronic tracheitis, which further increases the risk of developing collapsing trachea syndrome….something to which toy breeds such as this are already predisposed. Once collapsing trachea syndrome develops, it is a lifelong headache (for dog, owner, and veterinarian all) to manage.

Expressing the anal sacs every few weeks for a few times is an easy and inexpensive “trial” to see if they are the source of the licking. If not, other avenues can be explored. Unless the dog’s rear area is also red and inflamed from flea allergy dermatitis, my experience (>20 years as a DVM) has shown that anal sacs are by far the most common cause of anal licking in small dog breeds, even if they are not “scooting.”

Just my 2 cents/another perspective.

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