Need some help.

[THenderson]

I have a British Stafordshire Bull Terrior named PURDY. We got her from the Pound about 2.5 years ago. Ever since we have owned her she has had problems with ear infections and her anal glands not releasing. Is this normal for the breed? Am I going to have to take her to get her anal glands released every week for the rest of her life? Please if anyone can help me let me know. Thanks.

[miakoda]

I have some info for you, but I don't have the time to type it all out. PLEASE stick around & I'll talk with you about these issues tomorrow so don't be upset no one has responded yet. :)

[Suki]

The anal sacs, if they routinely keep refilling and fail to express themselves can be removed surgically, if your vet deems it necessary. Or if you're up to the challenge, can be taught to do it yourself. (not pleasant and VERY smelly, but not hard to do).

The ears constantly becoming infected/inflamed, if not by parasites=a common culprit, may have yeast, which thrives in a moist, warm environment=particularily, in your dogs ear canal. What did your vet say the actual source was from? Treatment will depend on what particular microorganism it actually is.
Some vets will opt to cut some of the hair inside the dogs ears to allow for better ventilation.
The course of action, again, is dependant upon what your vet actually finds after a swab and examining it under a microscope.
j/c, has your dog been checked for any allergies and/or hyprothyroidism?

this is brief, but I'm sure more will be added.

[THenderson]

Personally I think the vet wants to see us keep coming back. They just want the money in my opinion and don't really want to correct the problem. The ear infections have only ever gotten better when we treat her with liquid medication that has steroids in it. The vet tells me that we souldnt keep using this stuff because it kills any good bacteria but anything the vet gives us that does not have steroids in it will not work. The vet checks for mites in her ear but never comes up with anything. Being a Staffordshire she has no hair in her ears. As far as the glands go the vet says it could be food allergy but how can you tell what she is allergic to. No one I talk to seems to be able to help me. It is in the vets best interest for the problems not to get solved because we have to keep coming back.

[Suki]

Personally I think the vet wants to see us keep coming back. They just want the money in my opinion and don't really want to correct the problem. The ear infections have only ever gotten better when we treat her with liquid medication that has steroids in it. The vet tells me that we souldnt keep using this stuff because it kills any good bacteria but anything the vet gives us that does not have steroids in it will not work. The vet checks for mites in her ear but never comes up with anything. Being a Staffordshire she has no hair in her ears. As far as the glands go the vet says it could be food allergy but how can you tell what she is allergic to. No one I talk to seems to be able to help me. It is in the vets best interest for the problems not to get solved because we have to keep coming back.

what I was referring to was pulling/plucking any hairs that may grow in her ear canal=to help keep them free of being able to trap any potential moisure/yeast.
food allergies are a trial and elimination process. You try a certain food, see if there's a reaction with her after she's been on it for awhile, and if not, try another. Food allergies are tough to properly treat, as it's a tedious, time consuming process.
My old vet had recommended to a client whose dogs' glands kept refilling and not expressing on their own, to have them removed. It's not a difficult procedure. and is a sure fix to the problem at hand.
If you're unhappy with your vet, I'd personally find another one who may better serve you. Jmo

[THenderson]

My old vet had recommended to a client whose dogs' glands kept refilling and not expressing on their own, to have them removed.

Doesn't she need those glands? What exactly are they for? If I clean out Purdy's ears and treat them till they are better with the medication I have how can I prevent them from geting infected again. I wana stop this once and for all.

[Suki]

Doesn't she need those glands? What exactly are they for? If I clean out Purdy's ears and treat them till they are better with the medication I have how can I prevent them from geting infected again. I wana stop this once and for all.
nope a dog can live without the anal sacs.
info: http://www.thepetcenter.com/sur/as.html
as far as the ears go, it depends on what the cause is for the infection. as stated, treatment will be dependant on the cause. what did your vet say was the reason for the infections? if it's a reoccurring issue, like it sounds, imo, it like the symptoms are being treated, but not the cause...?...

[Attila]

What I normally do for problem ears is mix half vinigar and half alcohol in a spray bottle. Two things that happens it removes moisture and kills things (bacteria, fungi, yeast, etc) Keeping them clean and dry is a must.

One thing I must as is, are the dogs ears cropped?

The anal gland deal. Dogs don't need them as they are not a metabolical feature. I take mine to a groomer or vet to deal with that stuff. I am poop intollerant.

[THenderson]

No her ears are not cropped.

[THenderson]

1.)* Trauma to the anal sphincter muscle... if too much damage occurs there is the potential for poor sphincter tone.* The anus may not beable to retain stool and a fecal incontinence may develop.
2.)* Not removing the entire sac... if even a tiny amount of anal sac tissue remains in the surgical site it has the potential to continue secreting anal sac fluid.* This will build up in the surgical site and result in an abscess and possibly a persistent draining tract leading from the sac remnant to the skin surface.* This is called a fistula.* The surgeon will have to enter the non healing area and find the tag of anal sac tissue and remove it for a successful outcome to be achieved.

Does this mean that in ether case she will be leaking anal sack fluid or poop?
Thats scary!