15/11/2021
The bug has had a bad week. A bad butt week. 🍑❤️🩹 She had her first ruptured a**l gland abscess and I don’t know if the experience was worse for her or for me. Either way, her backside is now on the mend after applying warm compresses for 5 minutes, 3 times a day (that’s what’s going on here) and by applying her medicated ointment immediately after. I’m finally ready to report that she is much better now (the abscess has already healed over) and no longer wearing the cone of shame. If you think she looks scared and pathetic in this photo, just imagine her with the cone on also to keep her from licking at the abscess and making it worse. My poor bug. 😣
Chia’s never had her a**l glands expressed because she’s never shown signs of needing it (scooting, excessive licking/biting, discomfort, etc) in the 6 years she’s been with us, so I assumed she was one of the lucky ones who didn’t need it. I didn’t even notice any redness or swelling before it ruptured and I clean her bottom with a wet wipe after every walk. 😳 Now I’m wondering if she does need her glands expressed regularly to prevent a future abscess and if so, how often. 🤔 Don’t worry, this will def be a question for her vet, but I thought I’d bring it up here too if anybody else wants to share their baby’s bad butt experiences. 😬🍑
I’ll post a video next (annoying how FB doesn’t allow you to post photos and videos at the same time) to show you how good she was during her treatment. She’d eventually calm down. I think the warm compress relaxed her. 🥰
A huge thank you to her trusty vet who talked me through this even though he’s on leave (which I wasn’t aware of when I bothered him via whatsapp, but also which didn’t stop him from replying right away and giving me all the info I needed to nurse Chia back to health). We make a good team Thank you!!! ❤️
If you’ve read this far, another tidbit for ya: Chia is now scared of our electric kettle because I used it for the warm water when I treated her bum. Now when I pick it up for my hot water numerous times a day, she looks at me with the same face you’re seeing in the photo. 🤦🏻♀️
