8 yr old lab w/ incontinence after anal sacs removed

Question
Hi Charlotte,
Bodi has had 4 surgeries to help with left side anal sac abscesses.  We had about a year without problems and then about a month ago the vet (and a 2nd opinion) told me there was a tumor on the right side anal sac.

Both vet's instructed me that it was time to remove both anal sacs and the tumor.  He is otherwise extremely healthy and active, a very & sweet & patient dog.

The surgery was almost 3 weeks ago and he has had a difficult time holding his bm's ever since.  There is still some redness and swelling.  I have been cleaning it each time it is dirty (few per day) with warm water, sometimes a little peroxide, and neosporin to help heal him.  I have been putting a diaper on him also, which is for the most part, useless.  It does deter him from licking, as well as the e-collar.

Please....ANY insight would be so gratefully appreciated!  I haven't gotten advice from anyone...I just can't believe I'm the only one who has faced such a problem & "waiting it out" is quickly becoming a non-option...We need help!

There is also another 5 yr old female black lab at home...she misses my attention & her brother the way he used to be.

Hoping to hear back,
Lora  

Answer
Hi Lora;
did your vet not give you ointment to put on the wound?
I have had better luck with Bag Balm than with Neosporin for wounds.
Petsmart carries it now, and probably Petco does.
Otherwise you can get it at any feed store.
What it is for is cows that are nursing calves get dry and cracked and sore teats from the calves nursing.
Bag Balm helps heal that very fast.
In fact, when the grandkids get scraped knees, we put Bag Balm on it. It doesn't sting or burn, and it heals faster, seems like.
It comes in a square green tin, and a little goes a long way.
Our englich Setter has bad problems with allergies, and he skin would erupt in a serious, and sore rash very fast. the Bag Balm did mush more to sooth and heal it than other ointments.
Other than the waiting it out, there is not much else you can do.
The Bag Balm is a little more oily than Nepsporin, sh should protect better from rash and soreness made worse by the feces and uring on the wounded area.
It shopuld water proof better, so that should promote healing more.
It is so hard when our little ones have pain and discomfort, like it is when your children are having problems.
My dogs are my children too, and it sounds like your's are to you too.
I hope this heals very soon and you can get everything back to normal.
I think your situation Is rare. I have never heard of the sacs having to be removed before, so this apparently isn't something that happens often.
The others feel sympathy for the ones that hurt, even if they are not littermates.
When our Setter went blind, and deaf, and she was having problems with Arthritis, my other three were so sweet to her.
They would go to her and give her lovings.
they tried to help her get around, like i did, but she was so independent, and she wouldn't let any of us guide her much.
when my other dog went blind from old age, and catatracks, I became his seeing eye person.
Silky was young then, and watched what we did, so she knew what i was trying to do with her, but she would have none of it. I would walk with him, and he pressed against my leg. when there was a step up or dopwn, I would stop, and let him feel my leg slowly rise up or step down. He could go like he had eyes, but Silky used her nose and sense of smell to guide her. She wasn't about to depend on anyone else.
My orher dogs would get one on each side of her to guide her, and she would sit down and refuse to walk until they moved. I could tell it exasperated them too. They wanted to take care of her.
We ost her a couple of weeks ago, and it was hard for all of us, my husband and me, the grandkids and our other dogs.
Good luck
Charlotte