anal gland expression

doggone6 · 06-08-2008, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dieselsmama

I do NOT express anal glands routinely when grooming. If it's a smaller dog who I suspect might need it done, I might ask the owner if they want it done, but otherwise unless it's requested I don't do it. Ear hair plucking is another controversial topic at our local vets office. There are four vets, two are pro two are con unless there are repetitive ear issues. I DO pluck ear hair unless asked not to b'cause my belief is, if there's enough ear hair to warrant plucking, it does trap moisture and bacteria causing infection and yeast issues.

Exactly. My own opinion is that if anal glads need to be expressed, that's a job best done by the vet. I absolutely agree with removing hair from ear canals.

DebD · 08-02-2008, 02:22 PM

My cocker was licking himself to the point where he was all red and irritated and scooting after he pooped. I called the vet, and was told to bring him in. I felt so bad for him, I had a friend bring him to the vet the next morning. Turns out, he needed his anal glands expressed, the "brief" visit cost $35.00 and the anal gland expression cost $35.00. Oh, and he had been to the groomer the beginning of July, buy I didn't know you had to ask to have this done. Hopefully that won't happen too often! Ugh$$$ Every so often he licks himself alot, and I noticed a brownish discharge on his blanket that smells really funky--guess he can do this himself too. Anybody ever try to do this themselves?

Maggpie · 08-02-2008, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DebD

My cocker was licking himself to the point where he was all red and irritated and scooting after he pooped. I called the vet, and was told to bring him in. I felt so bad for him, I had a friend bring him to the vet the next morning. Turns out, he needed his anal glands expressed, the "brief" visit cost $35.00 and the anal gland expression cost $35.00. Oh, and he had been to the groomer the beginning of July, buy I didn't know you had to ask to have this done. Hopefully that won't happen too often! Ugh$$$ Every so often he licks himself alot, and I noticed a brownish discharge on his blanket that smells really funky--guess he can do this himself too. Anybody ever try to do this themselves?

Hating to admit this........... but I express Maggie's

I am on the road so much for work and she goes with me, so when she starts the scooting I do it. She has to have hers done internally and it is NOT a pretty experience by any means. But I usually do it in the bathtub when I am giving her a bath.

DebD · 08-02-2008, 05:59 PM

Magpie...Are the glands easy to find when they are full?? I felt for them, but couldn't really feel anything-probably cuz they are empty. I understand that they are on both sides of the rectum at 5 and 7 o'clock, and you just push in and up-is that right?

Maggpie · 08-04-2008, 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DebD

Magpie...Are the glands easy to find when they are full?? I felt for them, but couldn't really feel anything-probably cuz they are empty. I understand that they are on both sides of the rectum at 5 and 7 o'clock, and you just push in and up-is that right?

YEP 5 and 7. You will feel what feels like two grapes

and you then just apply softly pressure to them to express them. Do it while you are giving your dog a bath though other wise you are in for a nasty nasty experience.

mattmania843 · 08-08-2008, 11:36 AM

My dog had a ruptured anal gland about 6 months ago and i always remind the groomer to do it (I believe they did it routinely and I didnt even know) It is per the vets reccomendation that the anal gland is squeezed when neccesary and my groomer is reccomended by my vet.

Gryff'sMom · 08-10-2008, 04:59 PM

Yikes! I've never heard of this,and I've always had dogs.

Does this happen in large breeds? My 9 week old new pup is a "scooter" after he poops-is this just a behavioral thing or could he be dealing with this gland problem?

Criosphynx · 08-10-2008, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gryff'sMom

Yikes! I've never heard of this,and I've always had dogs.

Does this happen in large breeds? My 9 week old new pup is a "scooter" after he poops-is this just a behavioral thing or could he be dealing with this gland problem?

very likely its his glands.

I only have one dog with gland issues, i express them myself. *squirt*

Gryff'sMom · 08-10-2008, 05:14 PM

So does this mean he will always have this issue?

Patt · 08-10-2008, 05:22 PM

IMO the AG's should only be done when needed. I too would be upset if a groomer did this without asking. I did have a dog that needed her AG's expressed every couple of weeks. I added more fiber to her diet and she was able to go a month before needing it done.

If you want to brave it and DIY here is a link. Although I highly recommend you have your vet show you the correct way. It is not hard to do, but if you do it incorrectly you may do some damage.

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_anal_sacs.html

Criosphynx · 08-10-2008, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gryff'sMom

So does this mean he will always have this issue?

not necessarilly, the dog i have that has to have it done regularly (monthy or so) had infected/impacted glands when i got her.

Have them done and then its just a wait and see sort of thing, it may not be needed again for a long time or even at all.

Diet can affect it. Loose stools push less on the glands so they don't get expressed naturally.

Gryff'sMom · 08-10-2008, 06:20 PM

Maybe that's it! His stools are kind of loose, still working on the puppy diet thing.
Maybe once his diet/poo gets a little more regular this will fix itself? A girl can hope...

Patt · 08-10-2008, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gryff'sMom

Maybe that's it! His stools are kind of loose, still working on the puppy diet thing.
Maybe once his diet/poo gets a little more regular this will fix itself? A girl can hope...

Since he's still a puppy I wouldn't worry too much about it now. Agree, it just may fix itself.

Gryff'sMom · 08-10-2008, 07:14 PM

Thanks! This is the greatest site-don't know how my other dogs and I got through it all without such great advice and resources!

Maggpie · 08-13-2008, 02:07 AM

Since he is a 9 week old puppy I would get a stool sample tested at vet's office to rule out parasites though

husky21404 · 08-15-2008, 08:35 PM

today i had to take my dog to the vet because savannah (my husky) was having issues. the vet said that her anal glands were severely impacted and then she expressed ( is that the right word? i think that's what she said) them, gave her a steroid shot for the inflamation and then some antibiotics...should i mention this to my groomer? i have no idea if they have done this to her before, but the vet did say that it would need to be done periodically. i was in the room holding my dog when the vet did it and i do not look forward to smelling that again...i have no words to describe the smell...

Patt · 08-15-2008, 08:54 PM

Sorry to hear Savannah is having AG problems, and glad the vet took care of it. Yeah, you will definitely never forget that smell. LOL

I would ask your groomer about expressing the AG's when Savanah gets groomed. Perhaps she needs your permission first.

Criosphynx · 08-16-2008, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patt

Sorry to hear Savannah is having AG problems, and glad the vet took care of it. Yeah, you will definitely never forget that smell. LOL

I would ask your groomer about expressing the AG's when Savanah gets groomed. Perhaps she needs your permission first.

Everyone always says that.... Is it wierd that i've never noticed any odor?

Patt · 08-16-2008, 08:28 PM

Hey consider yourself lucky. LOL

0hmyd0g · 08-18-2008, 02:43 AM

The groomers in my area do not express anals unless requested. New groomers anyway. It wasn't taught to me in grooming school, instead we tell the customer to go to the vet. Sometimes I will squeeze lightly if the customer asks me to check it. My coworker showed me the right way since she used to work at a vet. Only about 1% of the clients need it done every time they come in, and my coworker does it instead of me. I heard it can be very expensive for the vet to do it, so it must be done properly, I think!