anal glands

gritney · 07-17-2006, 08:11 AM

My dog is an outside dog. However, we are having renovatios and don't actually have a fence at the moment. So little puppy is currently indoors.

Last time I went to the vet, I was introduced to the concept of anal glands. apparently they exhibit the same symptoms that I was told mean worms. Fair enough so I get them squeezed and all is well. But now, 3 weeks later, my doggie seems to be doing nothing but lick her bum. She's been inside for 3 months now and TBH all this licking seems a bit out of the ordinary.

I'm wondering if all this squeezing ain't creating more problems than its solving.

Not to be buciking trends or such, but I'd be interested to hear what others think. I've had 5 dogs that never heard of the process, and I find it hard to imagine that I was cruel to them. And the vet was trying to get me to smell the paper towel like it would somehow convince me of something. I'm happyto carry on the process as long as its not going to widen the pores. so to speak, and just make the glands more open to infection.

Am I in the right fouum?

opokki · 07-17-2006, 06:34 PM

I could be wrong but I too worry that excessive and frequent manual expressing of the glands could cause further irritation.

My dog has anal gland problems. She's only had them expressed twice by the vet and she yelped through the entire process...I felt horribly guilty. Anyway, I read that a change in food (more fiber) could help some dogs so I tried many different brands of food until I found a few that helped. Now she only has this problem very infrequently...like if she eats too much of something besides her regular food. I can't even remember the last time she leaked.
Increased physical activity is said to be helpful as well. In very severe cases where the glands continously become infected, I've even heard of the anal glands being surgically removed.

bigdawgs · 07-19-2006, 06:03 AM

Vanessa is correct. Generally, impacted anal glands happen to longer haired dogs and dogs that don't get hard stools, although my late beagle also had a problem. Usually a groomer will do it when bathing. They are removed if it is a chronic problem.

Mach1girl · 07-20-2006, 06:18 PM

You can opt to have the anal glands removed as well. They can also "back up" or clog, and rupture, it is very serious and the most excruciating helpless pain a dog can suffer (i hear) my peke had this happen once, they ruptured, he screamed like he was being stabbed. They had to put a drain, and then remove later. It is horrible.
But they do remove them. Scooching is another sign they are trying to releive them. And although I have never heard the more you esprees, can cause problems, I thought it was good to espress regularly. If a dog has a problem that is.
Only one of mine has problems, and he is fixing to get his removed soon.

Longer hair and smaller breeds are more prone. And males, for some reason or other.