HOW DO YOU EXPRESS ANAL GLANDS?
faye
Most dogs seem to express them naturally through normal activities. (Scooting around on the carpet is NOT normal activity.) I never heard of anal scent glands until my fourth dog, and he had trouble with them.
The vet showed me how to express them and I decided it was worth the $15 or whatever they charge to do it. I also had some groomers who would express them in the course of the full makeover.
If you want to do it yourself, you need a stainless steel room and a full HAZMAT suit.
That's only a modest exaggeration.
The vet showed me how to express them and I decided it was worth the $15 or whatever they charge to do it. I also had some groomers who would express them in the course of the full makeover.
If you want to do it yourself, you need a stainless steel room and a full HAZMAT suit.
That's only a modest exaggeration.
expressing glands
For your first attempt, I think you should have your vet show you how to express your pup's anal glands, this will prevent you causing any unnecessary discomfort or damage to that area. It is a relatively simple procedure once you know what you are doing and when to do it. You should be able to feel two pea-like lumps in your dog's behind. Glove your hands, and holding a papertowel or other cloth, put your thumb on the outside of one gland and the index and middle finger on the outside of the other gland and sqeeze as if to make the liquid come out the anus (toward your cloth-covered hand). It is messy and smelly, be prepared. Again, if this is your first time trying it, get your vet or groomer to instruct and assist you. Do not make your dog or pup go thru the pain and discomfort of having you do it incorrectly.
For your first attempt, I think you should have your vet show you how to express your pup's anal glands, this will prevent you causing any unnecessary discomfort or damage to that area. It is a relatively simple procedure once you know what you are doing and when to do it. You should be able to feel two pea-like lumps in your dog's behind. Glove your hands, and holding a papertowel or other cloth, put your thumb on the outside of one gland and the index and middle finger on the outside of the other gland and sqeeze as if to make the liquid come out the anus (toward your cloth-covered hand). It is messy and smelly, be prepared. Again, if this is your first time trying it, get your vet or groomer to instruct and assist you. Do not make your dog or pup go thru the pain and discomfort of having you do it incorrectly.
I agree 100% with RonE... its well worth the money to have someone else do it!!! It is not the most lovely smell or experience in general to witness...
yep - Gross
I found out the accidental and disgusting way with my last cat - he was scooting his butt across my bed, and I picked him up to look & see what was happening back there. He was struggling to get out of my hands, and apparently the adrenalin/general squeezing of the cat = Oh, my dear god, the most foul smell I've ever ever encountered.
If my dog needed it, I'd pay the vet. Good luck.
I found out the accidental and disgusting way with my last cat - he was scooting his butt across my bed, and I picked him up to look & see what was happening back there. He was struggling to get out of my hands, and apparently the adrenalin/general squeezing of the cat = Oh, my dear god, the most foul smell I've ever ever encountered.
If my dog needed it, I'd pay the vet. Good luck.
Why would this need to happen? What is it for? I'm so confused. Is this something that happens due to infection or something? Is there any way to prevent the need for this? What happens in the typical dog that doesn't need help expressing his glands? How does the fluid come out? How does it get there in the first place? And why is it called "expressing"? I've never heard of this, and am....well, honestly sort of horrified that my puppy may need this in the future. Perhaps I'll wikipedia....
My inlaws asked me the same question. My answer was, "Whatever the vet or groomer charges, it's worth it."
Most dogs empty their anal scent glands during the normal course of defecating. If they don't, the glands get swollen and can be very uncomfortable for the dog.
If your dog expresses his scent glands in your car, you'll think you ran over a skunk.
It's not a big deal, but if your dog needs attention, this is a really good reason to check in with the vet or a good groomer. My lab needed this at least a couple times each year and he wasn't shy about letting us know when it was time.
Why do they have scent glands in the first place? It must give them some sort of evolutionary advantage. Maybe it's to mark their territory to warn off other ferocious competitors.
If your dog expresses his scent glands in your car, you'll think you ran over a skunk.
It's not a big deal, but if your dog needs attention, this is a really good reason to check in with the vet or a good groomer. My lab needed this at least a couple times each year and he wasn't shy about letting us know when it was time.
Why do they have scent glands in the first place? It must give them some sort of evolutionary advantage. Maybe it's to mark their territory to warn off other ferocious competitors.
My girl on average, once a month has "issues" expressing her glands. It's a horrible stinky fish smell, it's absolutely terrible. For a day or two she stinks but eventually expresses them herself.
My vet would prefer me to express them myself, and she doesn't think it's worth it for me to bring her into the vets to get them expressed. (Pfftt, she just doesn't want to do it! ROFL) Although it takes her a day or maybe, *crosses fingers* hopefully not two, she gets the job done herself, so far, thank God. ROFL
My vet would prefer me to express them myself, and she doesn't think it's worth it for me to bring her into the vets to get them expressed. (Pfftt, she just doesn't want to do it! ROFL) Although it takes her a day or maybe, *crosses fingers* hopefully not two, she gets the job done herself, so far, thank God. ROFL
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