Anal glands... Mmmm!

[Kat_Bath]

Such a nice topic for a Sunday afternoon...

We've had Harvey (Lab, 5yo) for nearly 18 months and up until the week before Christmas, hadn't had any bum issues. On Christmas Eve, he had his glands squeezed which obviously helped and everything looked fine a week later when we went for a check up.

We may now be a similar situation again - they seem hardened and he's irritated. We'll call the vet tomorrow but I'm wondering if anyone has any top tips? I've read so much contradictory stuff; have them squeezed/don't under any circumstances have them squeezed, feed more fibre/feed raw etc etc.

He is fed Wafcol salmon and potato and he's done great on this for the last year. He's not overweight, his exercise routine hasn't changed, he's happy.

How do we help have a happy bum? ??

 

[twiggy2]

It's a tricky one,when they need them emptied thy need them emptied. Personally I think people are too quick to do that though and often they will sort themselves out.
My current lurcher has analysis gland issues every now and then, she will be a bit smelly and lick a bit for a few days and then they empty without intervention. A vet colleague explained when she once emptied them that my lurchers analysis glands were not in quite the place and angle you would expect so it seems they get over full, cause irritation and then empty themselves.
They don't compact or get infected though so I tend to leave it to sort itself.
In your shoes I would explain you just want to check they are not impacted or infected and if Tey are not you want to leave them to empty themselves. Emptying manually cause inflammation and irritation, this can be a vicious circle and weaken their ability to empty themselves.

 

[Kat_Bath]

Thank you for replying Your last sentence is exactly why I posted - I don't want to get into this vicious cycle which will ultimately cause him discomfort.

Potentially silly question but can you tell from their poo if they've emptied or do you just keep an eye on the glands themselves?

 

[twiggy2]

Thank you for replying Your last sentence is exactly why I posted - I don't want to get into this vicious cycle which will ultimately cause him discomfort.

Potentially silly question but can you tell from their poo if they've emptied or do you just keep an eye on the glands themselves?

No unfortunately you can't.
You could get the vet to show you where to feel to check how full they are if your dog is amenable.
My lurcher smells when hers are overfull, not stinking but it is noticeable, it does really smell when they empty but the smell doesn't last long at all.
Hers were emptied twice in a few months and have not been done now for about 3 yrs, so it seems to be working for her.
You can try adding fibre with carrots etc, I tried chick peas etc too as she has allergies so lots of bulking foods are out, it made no difference anyway though.

 

[AmyMay]

Daisy went through a period of needing her glands done, and like you I really didn’t want it to become a regular thing. Like Twiggy, there are times now when she does get a little smelly, but they do now resolve themselves (rather than on the other occasions when they didn’t and we definitely had a problem).

I’ve found that bulking her food out several times a month now seems to do the trick (the bigger the poo, and slightly more effort made, seems to do the trick). I bulk out with pasta and veg.

 

[Kat_Bath]

No unfortunately you can't.
You could get the vet to show you where to feel to check how full they are if your dog is amenable.
My lurcher smells when hers are overfull, not stinking but it is noticeable, it does really smell when they empty but the smell doesn't last long at all.
Hers were emptied twice in a few months and have not been done now for about 3 yrs, so it seems to be working for her.
You can try adding fibre with carrots etc, I tried chick peas etc too as she has allergies so lots of bulking foods are out, it made no difference anyway though.

Interesting that she had them done a couple of times in quick succession. He generally gets carrot a couple of times a week anyway so might up that. Thank you again

 

[Kat_Bath]

Daisy went through a period of needing her glands done, and like you I really didn’t want it to become a regular thing. Like Twiggy, there are times now when she does get a little smelly, but they do now resolve themselves (rather than on the other occasions when they didn’t and we definitely had a problem).

I’ve found that bulking her food out several times a month now seems to do the trick (the bigger the poo, and slightly more effort made, seems to do the trick). I bulk out with pasta and veg.

The only sign we get is that he tries to nibble his back end - luckily there is minimal smell. He smells generally like pond so maybe that masks it ??

Bulking out food every once in a while probably wouldn't hurt - he is an easy pooer so it sounds like a slightly bigger poop may help - it's an option and he'll be delighted to eat more...! Thank you for replying

 

[GSD Woman]

I've had two dogs with anal gland problems. One had glands that would get infected and the other wound up with an abscess. In both cases I took the risk and had the glands removed.

 

[skinnydipper]

The only sign we get is that he tries to nibble his back end - luckily there is minimal smell. He smells generally like pond so maybe that masks it ??

If he is nibbling his back end or scooting then he is clearly not comfortable.

If a dog has problems emptying them naturally then expressing them for him keeps the dog comfortable and prevents infections/abscesses.

If you are unsure how to, then ask your vet to show you. Emptying via the internal method is more effective.

Emptying anal glands yourself is no big deal - Shady and I are experts . See this thread:-

Anal Gland Removal Dog. Sorry you will have to put that in the search box as I don't know how to link to a thread rather than a post.

 

[Kat_Bath]

If he is nibbling his back end or scooting then he is clearly not comfortable.

If a dog has problems emptying them naturally then expressing them for him keeps the dog comfortable and prevents infections/abscesses.

If you are unsure how to, then ask your vet to show you. Emptying via the internal method is more effective.

Emptying anal glands yourself is no big deal - Shady and I are experts . See this thread:-

Anal Gland Removal Dog. Sorry you will have to put that in the search box as I don't know how to link to a thread rather than a post.

I'll maybe not search that's at work, just in case!

At the moment it is a little nibble, every other day or so - no where near as much as before Christmas when it all came on quite suddenly. The vet did empty them from the inside last time and we can always ask to see the same vet. Thanks for replying

 

[Shady]

If he is nibbling his back end or scooting then he is clearly not comfortable.

If a dog has problems emptying them naturally then expressing them for him keeps the dog comfortable and prevents infections/abscesses.

If you are unsure how to, then ask your vet to show you. Emptying via the internal method is more effective.

Emptying anal glands yourself is no big deal - Shady and I are experts . See this thread:-

Anal Gland Removal Dog. Sorry you will have to put that in the search box as I don't know how to link to a thread rather than a post.

HeHe SD .If you mean expert as in staggering around with it in my eye then yes that's me !!!
Seriously though I did get very proficient at it as my last Weim was constantly having problems until I changed his diet to only Arden Grange, then he never had a problem again . I put that down to a happier digestion and solid poos. Before I don't believe they were of sufficient size and solidity to express the glands properly.
My current Weim is also interesting as I have not had a problem with him at all from a pup until I recently ran out of AG and had to give him a different kibble of lesser quality. Yesterday he stank and was clearly uncomfortable and washing his bum. I decided to leave him be to see what happened and luckily today he seems fine again and stinky free. Tomorrow the AG should arrive.

I don't really want to advise you myself KB. Good advice above and for each it is different. I guess if I had to say something it would be that I tried bulking out the food but clearly for mine a complete change was needed with more fibre perhaps. I don't really know why AG worked as I tried so many before that that didn't.

 

[Cinnamontoast]

Ask the vet to show you how to do it yourself. We had years of doing this because Bear leaked otherwise. He’s fortunately grown out of it. I haven’t changed his food. He’s fed raw, bones et al.

I've had two dogs with anal gland problems. One had glands that would get infected and the other wound up with an abscess. In both cases I took the risk and had the glands removed.

Blimey, thats brave! Did it work out ok, no faecal incontinence?

 

[GSD Woman]

Cinnamontoast, one would occasionally drop the occasional small piece of stool. I accepted it as part of his issue. And he was one of the best dogs I'll ever know.
And speaking of anal glands, we had a doodle that came in with horribly full anal glands. I tried to empty them and had to switch with the other tech. Apparently I had managed to unblock one and some got on the floor. And I managed to get some on my scrub pants. The last hour at work was pretty miserable. We were too busy for me to be able to leave early. I stripped and took a shower as soon as I walked in the house and let the dogs outside.