Anal Glands problem-?

[bozuhe3]

I have 3 dogs, all gotten at different times.
And all, ironically enough have the anal gland problem, if you are not aware- it is when the glands swell and do not release and then the dogs butt start to smell really really bad and they have to be expressed every few weeks..
My question - i have very good relationship with vet and have talked to her numerous times about this.. she says some dogs get and some dogs dont... my question?
she says no.. but to you all...
is it my house, is it there food, is it contagious, is it an allergy, is it their shampoo, certain fabrics, cleaners?
I am jsut so sick of it happening in every dog I get and I have friends who have boxers, beagles, mixed dogs and not a one have a problem. My dogs go to the vet and get more attentive and proactive medical care than I do.

At a loss... any advice?
Thanks!

 

[Saje]

I've never had to deal with this but from what I read food can paly a role. Let me see if I can find a relevant thread.

 

[Saje]

http://www.chazhound.com/forums/showthread.php?p=25712&highlight=anal+glands#post25712

 

[Giny]

I would have to agree that food must have a big role in anal gland impacting. Both my dogs, Kassie and Boomer, had their glands infect and rupture when they were under the age of one year (not at the same time). The vet flushed it and they were both put on antibiotics and never had it since. Though afterwards, while I clean their glands, the substance that came out was very pasty like and thick. *gross I know, sorry* They've been on a new food for the past year and I've notice a great change in their gland secretions, more liquid consistence. Makes me think that food had a great impact on why they had a gland infection in the first place. That's just my observation, of course.

 

[bozuhe3]

Thanks guys... I guess I am a pro at dealing with this now.. it just gets old once in awhile... but we will all make it!

Thanks for the link and various comments.

 

[Jynx]

well having had two gsd's who had anal gland infection and the other a gland "blow" both ended up with perianal fistula's,,something you really don't want to deal with..

Anyhow,,diet does play an important part in keeping those glands moving. You don't want really hard stools, but you don't want diarhea either..I give my dogs a heaping tablespoon of pure canned pumpkin in both their daily feedings..Pumpking works both ways,,helps with diarhea, helps with constipation..

I seem to hear about toy/smaller breeds of dogs having gland probs more so, say than larger breeds..I've had dogs who never had a gland problem, nor needed expressing their entire lives. Once the pf's were cleared up on the two gsd's,,never needed to have their glands expressed again either,,altho one, I had the glands removed.
Diane

 

[bozuhe3]

Thanks... yeah the vet said treats/food high in fiber is good so I too have been feeding all dogs a small helping of pumpkin with their feedings as well. All the comments pretty much sum up what I have heard and learned over the last few years.. was just hoping there may be some new studies or remedy's.

I guess my main fear is not knowing when they are full and when they are close to rupture... but the beagle who is the main concern goes to get them expressed pretty much every 2 weeks.. so I try to stay on top of it.

I currently feed them Dog Chow Puppy food for large breed
for hte pup, Dog Chow for the other 2 older males.

Any idea/thoughts about best food or worst food- experiencs or examples with either?

 

[Jynx]

a big indicator for me when my dogs are having anal gland probs, atleast the ones with the PFs were "licking" more than normal..scooting their butts, altho mine never did, is another indicator..straining to poop..those kind of things you want to keep an eye on.

As for food, don't want to insult you, but puppy /dog chow is a cheap no good ingredient dog food. Your feeding garbage.

You want to feed your dogs a high quality food, which there are MANY on the market..Nutro Lamb & Rice, California Natural, to name a couple...Even tho the food is a little pricier, your dogs will reap the rewards in the long run, by having less health problems and better overall health..

And i know I know,,when I was a kid we had to feed whatever our parents bought, which was usually garbage grocery store brand,,dogs lived long lives, and I don't know how when I look at the ingredients in alot of that food.

Ok done rambling.
diane