Anal gland problem?

Was woken up at 5am this morning by Lennon screaming in pain. He cried out twice and was then quiet. Then later on about 6.30, I was sitting at the PC and Len was upstairs, and he screamed out again. I thundered up the stairs, and he was frantically licking him bum.

I lifted him onto the bed and he continued with the licking. I tried to have a look, but he growled and won't let me near his rear end.

A few minutes later he was a right as ninepence.

He's also been slightly constipated in the last few days, and hadn't been at all since Saturday morning, but stools have returned and are ok this morning.

Don't particularly want to visit the vet if I don't have to.

Anyone got any ideas?

Thanks

I wonder if dogs can get piles - I think that constipation could bring these on in people but don't know about dogs?

I know that impacted glands can be uncomfortable, but I didn't think they caused as much pain as that - unless of course there is an infection in which case he would need to see the vet.

Sorry, no other ideas.

Has he eaten a sharp bit of bone that could have been causing the problem with him toileting and which now has moved down but sticking in him, or anything else sharp.
I have had dogs with blocked anal glands and they have never screamed in pain.
Dogs are normally quite brave with health problems so to be screaming would concern me, especially if he won't let you look.
If he is still reluctant to let you have a good look then that would indicate there is still a problem and I personally would get it checked out.

Problem is, he did this about a year ago, and nothing else happened. He screamed really loudly and again paid really extreme attention to his botty, then nothing......

I don't want to appear anal....... ('scuse the pun)

He had some raw lamb shoulder but that was a fortnight ago.....

anal glands can be agony for a dog not just uncomfortable even when just compacted, he may well have cleared some of it now vicky but i would still get the vet or the nurse to empty them ....trust me India has had 3 impacts this year and is having surgery in 3 weeks and Sophie has had 2 impacts and had hers done its not nice and i would try to avoid it if you can

Thanks Lise - maybe I'll whizz him up the vets in the morning.....

Len's booked into the vet for 9am tomorrow

Thanks for your advice everyone

Hi Vicki, just wondered how you got on at the vets - hope it was nothing serious

Hope all goes ok for lennon at the vets vicki , keep us posted hun xxdk