[alyson]

Do most groomers do this? I saw on a TV show Dirty Jobs, a groomer who expressed the anal glands of the dog she was grooming.
Also, when a dog "scoots" his butt across the rug does it ALWAYS mean there's an impaction?

[all4thedogs]

Yes, most groomers express anal glands (at least in my area). Anal gland impaction is common in many breeds of dogs and this saves a trip to the vet each time (unless the owner is willing to do it, but many dont know how).

Scooting their bottom can mean a lot of things. Worms, anal gland impaction, something stuck there, or a simple itch.

[grrroomer]

Having full anal glands doesnt have to mean that the glands are "impacted" usually smaller dogs have anal gland issues. Most groomers do express the glands but I wouldent recomend doing it yourself unless you have a pro show you how. The tissues are sensitive and with the wrong amount of pressure you can easily injure the pup. Not to mention you almost always have to bathe the dog after as the fluid is so noxious smelling.

[AkiraleShiba]

I had two veterinarian recommend against expression of anal glands unless there is a problem. Dogs with hard stools normally express their glands by going potty.

I do not own breeds that need to go to the groomer, but I would not appreciate if it was done without my permission by the groomer.

[grrroomer]

Not many dogs have "hard stools" these days. As a groomer I will tell you that it is a standard procedure and you will have to request it NOT be done. The reason dogs have soft stools is because the quality of food today. If our dogs were eating bones and raw meat with fur included as they were designed to do in the begining of time then I would agree that its unneccissary. If you have ever seen a dog with a rupture anal gland, and I mean ruptured on the OUTSIDE of its body, leaving a huge gaping hole full of nasty fecal matter and pus, and you know all they had to do was express is regularly you may have a different opinion. Also I once worked for a vet who fed the "house dogs" the ones who lived at the clinic full time, whole pieces of chicken bones and all, cooked chicken from the fast food place next door to the office. Not all vets give good advice.

[TeddieXRuxpin]

I do agree to a certain point; our dogs have very firm stool. I also have Ted on a no grain, no preservatives, no corn, no by products. I do agree raw feeding is really good for most if not all dogs, but for some people that's not an option.

Teddie has firm stool and he's the only one that has to get his anal glands expressed. Only one of our four dogs has to have it done, and only two out of the several dogs we've owned and fostered.

And I'd just like to add that not all groomers do this. Teddie's doesn't and I had to take him a week ago to have them expressed; the first time they've ever been done and they weren't bad at all.

All dogs express they're glands at some point either by themselves or by a vet/groomer.

[poodleholic]

My dogs have never had their anal glands expressed (they're 6 yrs. old now). Their stools are quite firm (fed EVO + fresh meat + fresh, steamed vegetables). I see no reason to have this done on a regular basis, nor would I appreciate it if a groomer did so without informing me. I groom my Poodles now, but did take them to a professional for years. I think in some areas, groomers are not allowed to express the anal glands; only a licensed vet can do it.

[lovemygreys]

Originally Posted by poodleholic

My dogs have never had their anal glands expressed (they're 6 yrs. old now). Their stools are quite firm (fed EVO + fresh meat + fresh, steamed vegetables). I see no reason to have this done on a regular basis, nor would I appreciate it if a groomer did so without informing me.

What they said. I wouldn't want a groomer expressing them.

[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.

[Max'sHuman]

Well do bear in mind naysayers that there are two ways to express anal glands: internally and externally. The external one is the one most groomers do and isn't so very invasive. It's not a big deal. The internal one involves a bit more and I can understand being apprehensive about it. They won't do that one unless you ask for it at the vets. Some dogs need it some dogs don't. Max does and fortunately his groomer is next door to and affiliated with his vet so I feel safe about them doing whatever they need to do.

[Dharlee]

I am taking Scruffy to the vet Monday to find out about this. My dogs usually have this done while they are at the groomers. My groomer happens to have been trained by my vet to do it. I can't tell if Scruff needs this or not, but he is awfully interested in that area, and to me it looks slightly swollen. I just hope we don't have to do the Elizabethan collar; after his neuter he got so stressed over that I thought he would never recover.

[Max'sHuman]

Unless the gland has a serious problem and needs surgery you won't need an e-collar. They just kind of milk the glands or add pressure to get the, and this is the official term, "stinky juice" out. It's really not a big deal in my mind. Many vets will show you how to just do it yourself, but that small fee is worth it not to have to smell/do it myself. Max gets irritated enough when I have to wipe his butt, or clean it at bathtime, no way am I sticking any fingers in there, uh-uh.

[WicketLeia]

My Pek expresses his all the time when he barks real hard at something..it's disgusting!! The smell makes you want to throw up.

[grrroomer]

Originally Posted by WicketLeia

My Pek expresses his all the time when he barks real hard at something..it's disgusting!! The smell makes you want to throw up.

This is another major reason why I DO do anal glands. After bathing my clients dogs, if they get startled or barking, the last thing I need is anal gland "stinky juice" all over the bums of my nice clean dogs. I hate to have to rebathe a dog. Owners dont appreciate the dogs scooting on the carpet and expressing their own anal glands either.

[InverseLogic]

Um, I'm new to the whole grooming scene, but what is an anal gland exactly? It sure doesn't sound pleasant.

I know it emits a stink, but I've never smelt anything horrible coming out of Ringo's but (besides the obvious).

[beccaze]

Inverse.. the answer to that, from what I learned.. in short form.

Anal glands are what dogs (and cats!) used back in the day, to mark their territory. The glands sit around the anal opening, and when the dog would pass a stool, the pressure would also release the "stinky juice" from the glands.

Obviously, domestic dogs don't need that anymore, which is a good thing, since their stool generally is not firm enough to apply the pressure needed in order to express any of the fluid.

Groomers/Bathers, most of the time, will express the anal glands by pressing up and in against the glands (from the outside of the body, only a vet would do an "internal" express). It's a pretty nasty [smelling] chore, but it's a lot better than risking impacted glands in the future.

[Maggpie]

OK......... I'll pipe in here because bulldogs..............about 80% of them need to have theirs expressed for them. It is not done naturally for them on a regular basis no matter how hard the stool is. I don't have any idea why this breed is different from other breeds but this is yet another difference between bullies and majority of other breeds.

Maggie's need to be expressed about once every month and a half. It is not a fun thing to do, my suggestion is have your vet or groomer do it. It is a brownish mucus that smells the most vile fishy disgusting smell you have ever smelled in your life. If you choose to do it yourself think of it as 7:00 PM and 5 PM on a clock inside your dogs you know what. Also, do it while you are giving them a bath.


http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Con...=1&SourceID=42

http://www.dr-dan.com/analsac.htm

[Dog5]

Out of my five only two need theirs expressed at the vet. Barney had an abscessed glad when he was very young and had to have a procedure to repair it, so ever since then I take him every other month to avoid it happening again. When Joey started alot of scooting I started taking him every other month, too. I wouldn't want to do it myself - it smells so putrid, but when we do it at the vet they come out smelling all coconutty!

[Maggpie]

LOL ^^^^^ coconutty

I've done it and it ain't pretty Talk about true love and devotion for my dog

[Criosphynx]

I do Emma's glands myself, usually during a bath. Shes the only one that has issues. They were infected when we got her.