My old dog's anus is swollen from straining. What can I use for pain?

I'm assuming the vet said his prostate was enlarged? He is on the correct food but you may have to add in some Miralax. Here is a link to an article about using this product in dogs. The dosing is also on there but a 40# dog I would give 1/2 teaspoon twice a day mixed in with a small amount of canned food. You will have to adjust dosing based on how his stools look. I strongly recommend you call your vet and ask before using this. Use the non-flavored powder. Be sure to let him drink as much water as he wants. ( https://www.petplace.com/article/cats/drug-library/polyethylene-glycol-3350-miralax-for-dogs-and-cats/ ) ( walmart.com/ip/Equate-Polyethylene-Glycol-3350-Powder-for-Solution-Osmotic-Laxative-8-3-oz/12444636 )

Rather than hemorrhoid cream, I suggest some triple antibiotic ointment to help it heal. You may have nicked him with the scissors, which is really easy to do, even when you're being very careful. You can use something like the Tucks pads for hemorrhoids to clean it, then apply the antibiotic twice a day. If it doesn't improve significantly in the next day or two, I suggest getting him in to see your vet as he may need additional medication or treatment. If you get him groomed, make sure to ask them to do a sanitary clip, which will trim the hair very short around his anus to help prevent this from happening again in the future Your vet may also offer a similar service in between grooming appointments. If you want to do it at home, get a pair of clippers and use a guard to keep from cutting him.

Ouch! Poor Oscar! It is good you have an appointment with your vet. This may require oral medications for pain and infection and they will want to do a thorough exam to see if the anal glands are the underlying problem. Until then I would keep applying the triple antibiotic ointment at least twice a day. You could also apply some hydrocortisone to the area to help with the swelling and irritation. If the anal glands are full, adding fiber to the diet can help bulk up the stool and express them naturally. I recommend canned pumpkin puree (not the pie filling) at each meal. I hope this helps and that Oscar gets feeling better soon. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

It looks like he might have a little rectal prolapse. If your vet isn’t available, you can try to treat this at home as follows: This will sound weird, but bear with me. ;) Get some table sugar, dissolve it in a little water (say maybe 3 tablespoons of sugar and just enough water to dissolve it. Soak the corner of a washcloth, paper towel, or a piece of gauze with the sugar water and then apply it directly to his bottom. Let it be in contact for 10-15 minutes. (Be PATIENT here.). The osmotic pull of the sugar will reduce the swelling in the prolapsed tissue and it may got back in on its own. If it does not, using a gloved hand, use some KY jelly and VERY GENTLY try to push it back in. Be aware that it may pop back out. If it’s a recurrent problem, he may need to see a vet to have a temporary “purse string” suture placed. Make sure he’s been dewormed. Add a little fiber to his diet, about 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of canned pumpkin daily may help “regulate” him, and a dog probiotic would also be a good idea. I hope that’s helpful! Thanks for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Hello. There can be a couple of things that might be bothering Sonny. Impacted, inflamed anal glands are a primary problem. Allergies can affect the delicate mucous membranes of the rectum, & more seriously, cancer. You can try sitting his bottom in a warm bath containing Epsom salts & a good shot of povidone-iodine for 5-10 minutes. Repeat twice daily for a few days. In an older pet, it is best to have this looked at if things do not improve on their own. Thanks for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Anal gland fistulas are usually very painful. I would recommend going back and asking for several days worth of pain medication (do NOT give human ibuprofen or acetominophen as those can be deadly to dogs), and an Elizabethan collar if you don’t already have one one to prevent licking. Feeding just boiled rice and chicken for 2-3 days is an option (unless Mojo has a chicken allergy) to feed a low residue diet that will be less painful to poop out. Good luck!

I’m sorry to hear Pompom isn’t feeling well. If she is straining to poop but her stools are soft, it may be that she’s got some colitis (inflammation in her colon). Another concern would be a mass or tumor in her colon. I would recommend that you have your vet examine her. They may recommend a fecal exam, possibly some blood work or X-rays. An abdominal ultrasound (sonogram of the belly) may also help determine what’s going on. Even if you aren’t financially able to approve diagnostics, your vet will probably be able to prescribe some medication to help make her feel better. As far as something soothing for the skin on her bum, I would recommend a wound healing ointment made for dogs, you can likely find at PetCo or another pet store. Another option would be A and D ointment —the brown ointment, NOT the cream as it contains zinc oxide. . DO NOT USE A PRODUCT CONTAINING ZINC OXIDE (often in diaper rash creams). Again, my best recommendation would be to get her in to your vet as soon as you can. Good luck to you and Pompom! She is such a cutie! I hope she’s feeling better soon.