Can a dog's hormones get out of whack?

[Java]

Forgot to add that today at doggy daycare, it was chase-Boomer time whenever he was let out with the pack. Male dogs (neutered and not), one female dog and a four-month old male puppy all went after him. Again, he got a lot more pool time but he also had to spend more time separated from the pack than the staff liked. They apologized to me but said it was tiring for Boomer to keep running away from all the attention.

[SunDance]

Royal Canin Hypoallergenic kibble from my vet but there might be other signs I hadn't thought were possible signs until now. Recently, he's been acting on and off as if he's constipated (he's been very regular though so I didn't think there was an issue until your comments here). But combined with the change in the way familiar dogs act towards him... I also mentioned to the vet tech that I had the groomer at the doggy daycare check his anal sacs today. Surprisingly full but not impacted.

Vet appointment's on Tuesday. Boomer seems his usual happy self but they want to do a rectal exam.

If the food is the one with hydrolyzed protein, that can make you (people...probably dogs, too) stink.

[Java]

If the food is the one with hydrolyzed protein, that can make you (people...probably dogs, too) stink.

Yes, that's the one. People eat hydrolyzed protein?

I should've mentioned the groomer checked for polyps and ended up with some dark blood on her gloved fingers. I didn't post it earlier because (a) I didn't expect her to do that and (b) the blood made me go into, "Oh, no" mode and I wasn't ready to go there. I was also surprised because there hasn't been any blood when Boomer poops. The "good thing" about the groomer overstepping is when I told the vet tech about the blood, she booked Boomer in for a rectal exam - Tuesday being the earliest, unfortunately.

My vet originally suggested the issue was a behavioural one with Boomer being submissive and the other dogs dominant. To which the dog daycare owner and I say, "Ha!" However, even Boomer had to run from all the attention he was getting. He's so tuckered out, he's sleeping in this morning with nary a bark to go for a walk or swim or something.

I'm trying not to worry. Boomer's only been my dog for 17 months but he's wormed his way into my heart, that nutbar.

[Snowshoe]

Why do you feed that kibble? If you think it is the kibble, when I was given a choice of hydrolysed protein or a kangaroo food for my dog's gut issues I went with the kangaroo. His allergic itching is gone and his gut is healthy. If you think it's the food causing all this unwanted attention that food might be an option to try.

[SunDance]

Yes, that's the one. People eat hydrolyzed protein?

That's what's in a lot of protein powders, protein bars, etc.

[Java]

Why do you feed that kibble? If you think it is the kibble, when I was given a choice of hydrolysed protein or a kangaroo food for my dog's gut issues I went with the kangaroo. His allergic itching is gone and his gut is healthy. If you think it's the food causing all this unwanted attention that food might be an option to try.

I thought Boomer was biting at his tail (his tail looked like it had two balding patches that revealed the white hair he has there). I happened to mention to my vet that when I first got him, he used to lick his feet like a compulsion and that now it's infrequent. The vet suggested I could try a 10-week trial with hypoallergenic kibble to see if it makes a difference to the tail biting. Looking back at our conversation, I realize he assumed I'd seen Boomer bite at his tail and I haven't. I just assumed that was why the white patches. Now I think that's the pattern of Boomer's tail going white.

Boomer regular kibble is Go! Fit & Free for seniors. I'm about to transition him back to this if the vet thinks it's okay. But it's nice to know there are other hypoallergenic options.

I'm not sure though whether you're asking about the kibble from a food perspective or whether you think it's somehow affecting the gut leading to blood in Boomer's rectum.

That's what's in a lot of protein powders, protein bars, etc.

Oh, right. That sounds familiar now that you've told me.

[Snowshoe]

I wondered if the food made Boomer stinky and that's what attracted the other dog. Now that you mention biting his tail (I remember a previous thread about the white hair) now I wonder, where on his tail? And does he still do it? If the supracaudal gland is infected it can stink and maybe that attracts the other dogs. Did the Vet say anything about that gland? It's down the tail a bit, not at the base.

[Java]

I wondered if the food made Boomer stinky and that's what attracted the other dog. Now that you mention biting his tail (I remember a previous thread about the white hair) now I wonder, where on his tail? And does he still do it? If the supracaudal gland is infected it can stink and maybe that attracts the other dogs. Did the Vet say anything about that gland? It's down the tail a bit, not at the base.

I had to google this. Boomer's patch is down a bit from the base of the tail but to one side. It doesn't smell and isn't balding. It's just white & circular. On the other side, the white is in a thin line running down the length of the tail. I'm going to ask my vet to look at the circular patch but I think now the white makes it look like thinning. The patch feels like the rest of his tail but I don't even know how to tell if Boomer has a proper labby double coat, so what do I know?

It's the blood that concerns me at this point. There haven't been any signs of it on his poop or in his urine as far as I can tell. He's been acting constipated on and off lately but has been regular with his business. Behaviour and energy have been normal.

Waiting for Tuesday's appointment.

[Java]

Interesting thread. Would be interested in the results if you go to the vet.

Vet did a rectal exam on Boomer. No blood, no polyps. Anal glands looked fine. Issues discussed:

• Poop smaller and softer on hypoallergenic kibble
• Boomer sometimes acts constipated on walks but still poops regularly
• Both male & female dogs showing strong interest in Boomer's back end
• Groomer discovering full anal sacs and small amount blood in rectum
• No blood in poop or pee, colours within normal range
• Taik wagging normal, no scooting but have observed odd tucked-in-bum-while-standing moments recently
• No change in Boomer's appetite & energy
• Boomer drinks water enthusiastically but is velcro so doesn't always get to water bowl if I'm busy upstairs

Vet says:

• Hypoallergenic kibble has less fibre & designed to be absorbed more efficiently than regular kibble - smaller, softer poop.
• If infected ears or anal sacs, both male & female dogs will show interest at the relevant end of the dog.
• For a dog who hasn't had anal sac issues before, fibre in diet & good hydration help keep everything clear.

Vet thinks Boomer's anal sacs were occluded or blocked and on the way to becoming impacted which would've led to abscess. When the groomer express the anal glands, she cleared the problem.

Since the rectal exam turned up nothing, I decided against any more testing. With vet's okay, I'm switching Boomer back to a higher fibre kibble for sensitivity from his regular brand. If he has to go back to the hypoallergenic, I'll add fibre to his food. I'm also adding water to his kibble at meals and putting a water bowl upstairs.

The final test would be doggy daycare, of course, but Boomer gimped his front paw from all the running away he did over the three days there. It'll be easier to test him with my friend's dog on our next walk together.