Sore on dogs bum- ulcer?

[scats]

JD has been doing brilliantly but did struggle a bit in the heat this week (understandably). A few days ago she lost her appetite but she does this from time to time and was still drinking, so I put it down to the heat. Then she was sick a couple of times over the next 24 hours- just bile. Still happy in herself and did start wanting a bit of food again.
Then last night she started with diarrhoea. There’s no blood in it, it’s just like very deep brown water coming out, but not much as she’s not eaten much. Obviously first thought was her pancreatitis had flared up again but I don’t think it’s that this time.

She was lying down this morning after her walk (full of energy when she was out, though had the runs again) and I glanced to see if her bum needed cleaning and I saw that her actual bum skin looks swollen and there is a red looking spot/ulcer type thing on it.
I went to lift her tail to have a closer look and she swiftly told me off so it must be very sore. Unfortunately I can’t get near it now to have a look, and I know her well enough to know you don’t mess with her when she gets like that.
It doesn’t seem to be bothering her too much though, but obviously I will ring the vet first thing and get her booked in tomorrow.
Any ideas? I’m not sure if it’s to do with having had diarrhoea or if it’s something more sinister.

Age is catching up with her now (she’s 14 and a Great Dane cross so doing pretty well) and I know we are on borrowed time. Although she looks fit and well still, there are little signs that show me she is in her final few months, realistically.
Picture of old girl (I can’t get a bum picture unfortunately- or fortunately, depending on how you look at it!)

 

[twiggy2]

Anal furunculosis is a worry particularly in older dogs, hopefully it is just where she has been over cleaning herself qith having the runs though.
I would get a vet check just in case she had an infection and needs antibiotics though.

 

[MurphysMinder]

It could be an anal gland abscess but they are very painful, so if you say she is not too bothered then maybe she has just over cleaned. I would get her checked out because she may need anti biotics to sort it.

 

[HappyHollyDays]

My GSD had these in her later years. It was a long time ago but the treatment at the time was cryogenic surgery but given her age we decided against it and she lived for another 18 months without it causing her any problems. We always had to make sure it was kept meticulous clean so it didn’t become infected with fecal matter but other than that we left it alone.

 

[scats]

Thanks all. Her appetite has come back but the diarrhoea is bad still. Unfortunately the last couple of months she’s starting to be unable to clean her own bum as she can’t get round that far, so I wonder if it’s being caused by that. I try to clean it with baby wipes, but she’s quite reactive about stuff like that so it’s difficult.
Ringing vet as soon as they open.

I did have a chat with my parents last night about starting to think about when we might call it a day with her. I absolutely never want it to get to the point that she’s in pain or distress, or her legs go and she has to be carried into a vets for the inevitable to happen. I’ve just watched her in the garden having another bout of diarrhoea and she was struggling with her back legs to stay in the position needed, and sort of wobbling and having to stand again and then try again. Obviously the strain of having her back legs bent for too long is causing her a problem. She’s the type of dog who will just keep going and going and she hides her pain (I’ve never heard her squeal or yelp in 14 years, even when she’s been accidentally trodden on!).
I will update you all after we’ve been to the vet.

 

[scats]

Back from the vet. Parents took her as I was working.

It looks like she is having another mild pancreatitis bout as that area was a little tender during examination. The sore on her bum is simply just that- her bum is raw from the diarrhoea and that she can’t get round to clean it properly. She’s had her bum cleaned up been given some probiotic paste and he’s told us to give her paracetamol twice a day (as she can’t have her loxicom when her pancreatitis flares up). Her heart is incredibly strong for her age- nice and slow and steady, so he said she’s clearly still a fit and strong dog. He is fairly confident her weakness over the last few days is a combination of not eating and the hot weather.

So the plan is to continue on with her low fat diet, try and clean her bum daily (with a muzzle and someone holding her head) and see how we get on. Any concerns or if she doesn’t improve, he said to take her back.

 

[Birker2020]

Back from the vet. Parents took her as I was working.

It looks like she is having another mild pancreatitis bout as that area was a little tender during examination. The sore on her bum is simply just that- her bum is raw from the diarrhoea and that she can’t get round to clean it properly. She’s had her bum cleaned up been given some probiotic paste and he’s told us to give her paracetamol twice a day (as she can’t have her loxicom when her pancreatitis flares up). Her heart is incredibly strong for her age- nice and slow and steady, so he said she’s clearly still a fit and strong dog. He is fairly confident her weakness over the last few days is a combination of not eating and the hot weather.

So the plan is to continue on with her low fat diet, try and clean her bum daily (with a muzzle and someone holding her head) and see how we get on. Any concerns or if she doesn’t improve, he said to take her back.

That sounds more hopeful Scats.