Anal Glands

[sonjafoers]

I have never had my dogs anal glands checked & he is 6 years old. Someone has told me it should be done as part of a regular health check so I am now worried that he hasn't had it done. I know nothing about it so should I book a vets appointment to get them checked, or if he needs them doing what symptons would he be showing?

 

[Ranyhyn]

Oh my old dogs never had their glands done, my 2yo jacks are yet to have theirs done, but they need to - their butts reek! lol

 

[CorvusCorax]

I have never given it much thought, to be honest and the vets have never mentioned it to us about any of our dogs, one way or another.

Unless he is stinking or dragging his backside around the floor, I am sure he will be fine...pop him to the vets, even just to put your mind at rest, for a general MOT.

 

[sonjafoers]

I've seen dogs dragging their bums along the floor & I thought it was because they had worms - I never realised it was glands. He doesn't do that and he doesn't smell either so hopefully they don't need doing then. Thank you for your replies and yes I'll drag him along to his least favourite place just to be sure.

 

[KarynK]

Don't have to worry about that one as mine are fed raw bones which is what the glands evolved to deal with so they empty naturally. Same with their teeth they are cleaned by the food, i am bad news to a vets income in that respect!!!

 

[Beatrice5]

I was just about to post the raw bones thingy. Yep I too feed them raw bones and yep it works a treat x

 

[tweedette]

We do our own dogs glands, again bad news for the vets

 

[sonjafoers]

Hi KarenK and Beatrice5 - i was reading the post on things not to feed dogs earlier and there was a bit of a debate on feeding dogs bones. Which do you feed and I'm guessing they must be raw?

 

[lizziebell]

Ditto KK and Beatrice - raw bones all the way

 

[MurphysMinder]

Just to add to this, I have had GSDs for more years than I care to remember and rarely had anal gland problems, although I did have one bitch with furuncolisis (sp). I always fed raw green tripe. I have been unable to get this in recent years,and they have been on complete, with some ground bone mince.Just last month my 9 year old bitch started showing signs of anal gland problems, they were very full and she is currently on anti biotics as they are infected.

I always used to feed marrow bones but had stopped as my 11 year old bitch managed to get a piece of bone causing a blockage which necessitated a GA for it to be removed. I suspect Buffys problem is due in part to the change in diet, and she and the other girls will be getting bones again.

 

[lizziebell]

Raw chicken wings are a good place to start.

 

[kerilli]

I do my dogs' glands myself, my friend the vet showed me how and it's pretty easy really. Mine are fed tripe but still need their glands done occasionally.

 

[lizziebell]

Kerilli - Its the raw bones that do the trick, not tripe. Firms up stools which stimulates the natural emptying of the glands.

 

[mollichop]

Never had my last 2 dogs done in 8 years but my 22 month old had bottom trouble the other week - would not leave himself alone and breath really fishy afterwards so thought it could be that. Took 2 mins at the vets and he has not troubled since. Was so glad i took him as must have been driving him mad - poor chap

Wasn't aware of the raw bones thing either - will trade in pigs ears!