Sadie and Anal Sacs? Who Knew?

Last month Sadie was scooting and I thought it was worms--San Diego Rescue gave me some worm meds.  But lately she has really been uncomfortable and I am not seeing any worms, just lots of scooting and restlessness--like did I get any sleep last night?  So I read this and Voila $10 to Pet Smart and Sadie is a happy puppy again!!!  This was written by a Veterinarian... I googled ' why a dog scoots on his butt'.  Anyway, I am writing this down because my memory--you know...

This is only rarely caused by worms. Most dogs who have worms do NOT scoot. (ETA: Dogs absolutely can NOT get pinworms. Not possible. That's a human parasite which does not have the ability to infect dogs or cats. If any worms are going to cause anal itching it will likely be tapeworms, which are caused from swallowing fleas that contain part of the tapeworm lifecycle.)

99% of the time, scooting is caused by the anal SACS (they are NOT glands, even though that's what most people call them!!!!   What are anal sacs? They are very much like the scent glands that skunks have. Nature designed them to fill up with a disgusting-smelling fluid, and to be emptied each time a dog has a bowel movement, thereby 'marking' its territory. Dogs can also forcibly evacuate them when startled by a predator, in order to scare them away. (Again, similar to skunks.) Although the anal-sac 'smell' is one which is quite familiar to anyone who has worked with dogs, each dog has its own individual scent, whether we can pick up on it or not.

The problem is....

That is how nature *intended* it to work for dogs who roamed the wild. Nature did not intend for poodles, Yorkies, Schnauzers, chihuahuas, etc, etc. to roam the wild, however. We humans created all the different breeds, and in selecting the traits for all of them, no one cared/paid any attention to where the anal sacs were located. As a result, in many dogs (especially the smaller breeds), they are not always located in 'exactly' the right place or have the muscles around them developed enough for the dog to do what nature intended. They can't empty them out by having a bowel movement, but the sacs continue to fill up with the disgusting (bacteria-filled) fluid. It's not painful (unless a blockage in the duct occurs, leading to an abscess), but it is uncomfortable to have full anal sacs.

So......

The dog has only 2 other options to try to empty them out. One is by 'scooting' their butt across the floor. The other is by licking. (Which is, btw, the most common cause for coughing/gagging/hacking up phlegm that looks like egg whites in dogs who are not sick. That's because the nasty fluid trickles down the throat, causing chronic tracheitis and tonsilitis.  

Since neither of those 2 solutions is very effective, it is necessary for us humans to help these dogs out by emptying those sacs for them periodically. Some dogs need to have it done every couple of weeks, some every month, some every 6-8 weeks. Each dog is different. Larger breeds seem to have fewer problems, but it can happen in them, too.

Sadie Goes to School

Sadie gives me a soulful look before we start our 'work' for the day,

She missed the first class but quickly picked up everything and caught up in the second class.  She played the name game well and came to me from another aisle in the store.  She already knew 'sit' and 'come' and soon picked up 'down'.

I found out she was treating Keira just like another dog.  They supposedly do not distinquish between little children and animals and attempt to find out who is 'alpha'.  So one behavior we have to work on is to greet 'four on the floor' and no jumping.

Bandido was so independent he would come when he wanted to and ignore you if he didn't want.  He would hide and not answer which caused a few problems.  I don't want Sadie to be like that.

Sadie, MVP of Puppy Bowl

I think it was all this tusseling with Bear this last month that prepared Sadie to be the toughy she was at Petco's Puppy Bowl.  She made both touchdowns for her winning team and then she was unanimosly voted MVP by all the spectators.

I didn't have my camera.  We went there for a Rabies shot and the Puppy Bowl was starting so I put here in the ring and finished my shopping.  They were aghast when I missed her first touchdown.  It was fun to watch and she was very aggresive with them all.  The finale was for her to go steal the treat out of Big Sadie's mouth!

Netflix Rules!

I am keeping busy with running errands and walking dogs and eating plus a lot of watching Netflix.  I finished the series "Upstairs, Downstairs", "Doc Martin" as well as some choice movies.  Currently I am really enjoying "House of Cards". 

Saturday I met Maria at El Callehon in Encinitas for some really delicious Mexican food.  I have mostly been eating fish tacos but that night I had pork tostados.  The pork was so good.  They also make their own chips and salsa and we had to have refills.  It was funny when we met at the restaurant.  I thought I was in the wrong place (I was parked so I could not see the restaurant).  I called Maria and she directed me.  I left the parking lot, drove a half block and turned around and then had to turn around again and I ended up in exactly the same place I was before except this time I saw Maria standing in front of the restaurant.  Duuuh, I am such a looney sometimes.

Then we went to La Costa to catch a movie and it was all filled up!  I drove all through Encinitas with my lights out and didn't realize it.

Today I met Connie and we ate at Chilis in Clairemont.  We took a long time eating and talking and I am sure it irritated them but there was plenty of seating available.  When we got up to go to the restaurant (in a hurry) the waiter told us it wasn't available as there was work being done.  We were aghast and then he told us he was kidding.  I thought that was very mean of him.  I should complain to the manager!!!  You don't fool old ladies about that!

Sadie and Bear

When I nap, guess who naps with me.  Bear is the Hardy dog and Sadie has taken a big liking to him.  They chase and tussle and love to go out walking together.  In fact, it is hard to take one without the other.

Since it is such a big house and so many doors it is hard for them to tell you when they need to go out--so I take them out quite often.  It doesn't always help.

Yesterday I went to a movie and ran some errands and left Sadie in her 2 by 8 ft cage.  She had food and water and her 'cave' to sleep in.  She was fine.  But Bear wanted her out.  When I came home, Bear gave me a long, loud scolding.  There was no mistaking what he was telling me with his angry barks..

Keira is Two Today!

At my Birthday party Keira hears her music begin and she looks so excited and then climbs up onto the hassock and begins her dance to "It's a Hard Knock Life".

 

 

 

 It was really good, we all loved it.
(except Ryan wasn't watching it, ha)

More Birthday Pix

My children with great granddaughter Kate and granddaughter Kelsi.

 

Featuring Kate and Kelsi.

Great granddaughter cousins Keira and Brynn.

Daughter Maria with Nieces Meagan, Amy and Kelly.

Family Celebrates My 80th Birthday

Many, many thanks to my children for having such a super 80th birthday party!!!  And many, many thanks for all those that came.

 

We gathered at James and Camber's home for my Family Birthday Party.


Kristi and youngest great grandchild Brynn from Las Vegas

Kate and Ryan from Las Vegas with Kelsi from RSF

Kristi with Ryan.  They drove from Las Vegas with Amy and new van broke down in Victorville!!!   Not fair.

Brynn

 

 

Camber's parents Mary and Greg came from San Clemente and of course, James and all their children were there.  

Daughter Linda from San Carlos and son Craig from Santa Monica

Gary, Linda's husband has Doctorate from Loyola with daughter's Kelly and Amy

On the program, teaching the Jitter Bug from the 40's, Lea learned it that afternoon and helped me.

Keira danced to "It's a Hard Knock Life"  from Annie!!!

Maria came straight from San Marcus where she works for CSU--she also has her Master's!!!

Other families in attendance were the Rasimas and Hinton families--(my camera ran out of batteries but Linda has more pix to come).

Cousins playing in Kelsi's 'cave'.

Wonderful guacamole and salsa.  The menu was Mexican with gluten free cupcakes, cheesecake and root beer floats for dessert.  All my favorites!

Other items on the program--James had people try and answer questions about me.  Some answers were a surprise to them!  Linda made a 13 minute movie of my life and put it to music.  I loved all the pix with my family,  my children and husband, my grandchildren and great grandchildren and the great music that went with it.

Everyone wrote down ideas for my "bucket" list.   Most of them were beyond my capability but I will consider a few of them!  I have no desire to skydive, however.

Dressed to the Nines for Birthday Party

 Maria decked me out in red and purple--it is official, I am an old woman! 

 

With Amy, the Nurse at Las Vegas and grad from BYU.

With Lea and Sarah, teen-agers extraordinaire.

with Johnny, Maria's husband and Master's student.

with Craig, the Masters student at UCLA

With Meagan, first granddaughter and Tufts Double Master's Grad and mother of Keira,second to youngest great granddaughter.

They asked me to read the poem "Warning" about wearing purple and red 'when I am old' and other outrageous things.

Sadie was so tired from chasing and playing with Bear all day she slept through most of the party.

The reason I am commenting on Master's Degrees etc. is because we are becoming a family of advance degree graduates and I think it is wonderful!