Could the anal gland issue be gone?

LoveLilly · 11-09-2006, 11:33 AM

So you may have seen my earlier post about my surprise that my 5 month old Pap needed her anal glands expressed AGAIN after only 2 weeks of when it was previously needing to be done. I knew this b/c she was scooting her butt and the fishy smell was there. Well, that was Monday so I made a vet appt for Saturday. She stopped scooting.....did they remedy themselves or should I take her in to be on the safe side? I just hear that they can become dependant on needing them manually expressed so I am concerned about that. What are your thougths?

blackgavotte · 11-09-2006, 12:49 PM

" if it ain't broke, don't fix it " holds true right now. Its possible that her own scooting helped push a bit of the fluid out and righted the problem. That's why they scoot, when they feel the anal fluid too full or too solid. Maybe she won't ever have to have them done again, and for sure keep on watching her, if the scooting keeps up too much, you need to get on it.

LoveLilly · 11-09-2006, 02:29 PM

Do they do anything else other than scooting that would alert me? She licks down there I think as much as any dog. Does anyone elses dog do anything other than scooting to alert that they need to be emptied?

Curbside Prophet · 11-09-2006, 03:13 PM

She could start panting for no reason if she is uncomfortable...I guess being uncomfortable is a reason to pant, but it will seem like she is panting for no reason to you.

blackgavotte · 11-09-2006, 03:39 PM

Yes, panting, excessive licking, redness of the anal area and the scooting would be your usual signs to watch for. If dogs are excessively fat, which yours is not yet I know, and hope will never be, they can sometimes end up chewing at the skin at the base of the tail, on top or the hip area.

People usually think that is because of fleas, and fleas do indeed love that area, but if a dog is so fat they can't get their bodies around to lick or chew at the anal area, they will chew at the top of the hip, or the top of the tail at the backbone instead because that's what they can reach.

myrna · 11-13-2006, 03:22 PM

my doxie has anal problems. I did add some fiber to his diet, pumpkin plain not the stuff with ingredients, a little bit only. Also, a little olive oil. He still does have some problems but I go to vet immediately so that it doesn't get into something like an abcess. also what kind of food are you giving your dog.

LoveLilly · 11-13-2006, 03:35 PM

I feed Lilly part Purina Pro Plan puppy small breed and mixed in is a dehydrated "raw" food mixture from The Honest Kitchen which is chicken, fruit and veggies and its higher in fiber than your standard kibble diet. Then in the morning she gets a little fish oil per the vet. When we went in Saturday her left gland was fine but her right one has grainy stuff in it which they said was an infection so when she goes next week to be spayed they are going to flush the glands with an anticeptic solution.

myrna · 11-14-2006, 12:35 PM

you are a great pet person....anal glands are very hard to understand why they fill up. the first time this happened I was back to the vet in two weeks with the same problem. But it does get better . The last squeeze lasted about two months.

happy spaying.....this will certainly keep her healthy and happy.!!!!